Women’s football round-up: Crystal Palace and Charlton lose to Super League opposition in FA Cup

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Crystal Palace were knocked out of the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday afternoon following a narrow 1-0 defeat at Super League leaders Chelsea.

The Blues booked their place in the quarter-finals as British record signing Mayra Ramirez scored her first goal for the club in the 81st minute.

Colombia forward Ramirez joined Chelsea from Levante for a reported transfer fee of £384,000, plus £42,000 in potential add-ons.

Laura Kaminski’s Eagles, who are third in the Championship, defended well during the game but were unable to record a shot on target against the west Londoners.

“It was a very tough cup game – Crystal Palace deserve a lot of credit,’ said Chelsea boss Emma Hayes. “They made it a difficult game, a scrappy game. The ball was out of play for more time in this game than any other game we’ve played in this year.

“They did everything to kill the momentum – that’s why there was 10 minutes added on at the end. But that’s to be expected and I can see why they’re challenging to go up to the WSL.

“We passed the ball really poorly in the first half, we were made to work for the win. In the second half I asked the team to play with a little more quality, particularly passing the ball. That’s on us and I don’t think we did that well enough in general today.

“But we improved, players came off the bench to add something and it was a great debut goal for Mayra.”

Palace have the chance to close the gap at the top of the Women’s Championship on Sunday when they host Blackburn Rovers.

Championship leaders Charlton were also knocked out of the cup at the fifth round stage following their 1-0 loss at Tottenham on Saturday evening.

Despite having more shots on target – two – the Addicks exited the competition at Leyton Orient’s Gaughan Group Stadium.

Spurs scored with their only shot on target in the 76th minute when substitute Kit Graham, who had a successful spell with Charlton before joining her current club in 2019, fired beyond keeper Jessica Gray.

Charlton will look to extend their lead at the top of the second tier on Sunday when they host mid-table Reading.

AFC Wimbledon kept their six-point gap at the top of the National League Division One South East division over second-placed Norwich after a convincing 4-0 win at Chesham United on Sunday.

Goals from Ashlee Hincks and Ashleigh Goddard put the Dons 2-0 up by half-time.

Hannah Mackenzie added a third around the hour mark, with Ellie Dorey rounding off the scoring in second-half stoppage time to secure all three points for Kevin Foster’s side.

The Dons host London and South East Women’s Regional Football League side Millwall Lionesses at Plough Lane on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the Capital Senior Cup.

Millwall bounced back from their 3-2 defeat at Dartford with a 1-1 draw at home to Sutton.

The visitors took the lead in the 80th minute, but a goal from Sophie Chapman four minutes later saw Jack Wheeler’s side pick up a point.

PICTURE: PA