EVERETT & DEBUTANT DENNIS SINK THE BLUES

Blues have started the Championship season with back-to-back losses. On Sunday the team lost against a really determined and tremendous Crystal Place side under the guidance of new palace manager Laura Kaminski . Goals from Aimee Everett and a debut goal for Araya Dennis inflicted the damage.

FIRST HALF

Blues had the first chance of the game with Ellie Mason, but her effort was saved from Negri in the first minute.

Palace had their first chance in the 11th minute from Elise Hughes who shot from the centre of the box was saved from Lucy Thomas .

It was Blues turn to have an attempt from the Club Captain Christie Harrison-Murray but her right footed shot went over the bar. Blues should had taken the lead in the 15th minute of the game from Lily Agg but her right footed shot was saved from Negri.

Then it was Agg again two minutes later with a right footed shot and again it was saved from Negri.

In the 34th minute Blues had a free kick with Christie Harrison-Murray, but it again sailed over the bar.

Palace could have taken the lead with Annabel Blanchard, her left footed shot missed the top left corner.

The last chance of the half came for Blues from a corner but Gemma Lawley’s header from close range went over the bar. 

HALF TIME BLUES 0-0 CRYSTAL PALACE

SECOND HALF

The first chance of second half came for Blues with Jade Pennock. She had a left footed shot from outside the box, the we shot went just over.

Palaces first chance of the half came from Annabel Blanchard with a right footed shot from outside the box. It came close but just missed the left-hand side of the goal.

Palace were growing in confidence and yet again had a chance with Anna Filbey but it went over the bar in the 70th minute.

The opening goal came in the 70th minute for Crystal Palace l. A fantastic ball into the box from Felicity Gibbons met the head of Aimee Everett to make it 0-1.

There were a lot of breaks in play after that with drinks break and substitutions for both sides. Former Bluenose Chloe Arthur came on for Filbey and for Blues there was a double change with Pennock and Mason coming off for the returning Charlie Devlin and Katie Dungate .

Blues were pushing for an equaliser but got hit with a sucker punch in the 90th minute when Crystal Palace picked them off with a lovely counter attack, Blanchards pass to the Crystal Palace debutant Araya Dennis was perfectly weighted and the seventeen-year-old placed it with real confidence pass a despairing Lucy Thomas.

The Blues never say die attitude continued and in the third minute of stoppage time the two Quinns combined. Lucy Quinn crossed from the right side of the box and this was met by the skipper to head it home and make it a nervous finish for the away team.

9 minutes of additional time played and Lily Agg had a golden opportunity to be the hero of the game, but her effort was wide of the left-hand post it just wasn’t to be .

FULL TIME BLUES 1-2 CRYSTAL PALACE

MY THOUGHTS ON THE GAME

Another disappointing display for the girls in blue but it was a much better performance then Blackburn. Yes we started well but we need to be ruthless and show no mercy on the opponent , that’s what Crystal Palace were good at they were ruthless when they had the chance and took it. All credit should go to Laura Kaminski and her coaching staff they had a plain and executed it brilliantly, you can see the improvement of the team from last season and that’s why I picked them as an outside bet for promotion .

For Blues they need to get the right formula and get it ASAP. We have got the players there’s no doubt about it. Darren and his coaching staff need to sort it out soon or we will be looking at another season in the Championship, yes we are only two games in and we have got players coming back from injury but we need to get going. Jade Pennock needs to get into games she was brilliant last season for us but this season she looks the shadow of the player. I love Lily Agg’s and Darren’s interviews after the game both being brutal honest which I like to see, we now move onto Sundays game

MY POM

I have to go for Araya Dennis for the second goal . she joined Palace 24 hours earlier and already is a hero for the eagle’s fans. Her composure for the finish was amazing and she’s only seventeen years old, she’s got the world at her feet and got a brilliant future in front of her .

HER GAME TOO

Also, it was great to see the her game too girls at the game on Sunday Emily and Helena are doing a brilliant job keep up the good work girls.

NEXT UP

An away trip to Lewes at The Dripping Pan at 2.00 this Sunday.

STEPHEN GILL KRO