Palace Women v London City Lionesses matchday programme 2324 publication

Crystal Palace √ london city lionesses

sun 15 oct 2023 14:00 kick-off

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03

Good afternoon everybody and welcome back to the VBS Community Stadium for our Women’s Championship match against London City Lionesses.

O

n Wednesday night, we took a point away from our first League Cup groupstage match at Lewes. We had a lot of rotation in terms of the squad, and actually if you look at our performance, I was really happy with the way those players stepped up to fight. We deserved better out of the game.

We created some chances, more so in the first-half, and we should have finished those. We’ve got to learn that if we keep not burying those chances early doors, we’ll keep getting into the latter period of the game with the other team still in it.

Today is a chance to turn that around quickly. A lot of our players have now played more minutes and are in a good mental and physical condition. We’re expecting a really tough challenge against London City, but we’re positive going into the game.

I’m pleased for Kirsten Reilly, who won our cinch Player of the Month. She thoroughly deserves the award because, individually, she brings a real security to the back four and a real consistency; week after week, she grows into games, and

she’s been absolutely vital in terms of our positive start to the season.

As for my own award, Women’s Championship Manager of the Month, I’m just happy that the work that the squad, the staff and

I can’t ask for any more from the players.

They’ve been absolutely fantastic, both in terms of their work rate and their dedication to the club and to games. They are a special group and I love working with them every day the players have put in has been recognised. It shows that this group is special, because everyone has worked so hard collectively to get this start off the ground and get us into a good place.

Head coach

I’m just proud of all the players.

I can’t ask for any more from them.

They’ve been absolutely fantastic, both in terms of their work rate and their dedication to the club and to games. They are a special group and I love working with them every day.

We’ve started well, but it’s one game at a time. Every challenge, every week, looks so different. People pick up results in this league which surprise spectators. We have to focus on ourselves and being consistent.

Defensively, we were hunting for a clean sheet. It took us a long time to get one, but now we’ve had a taste of that against Blackburn, we’re focusing on that moving forward.

The atmosphere the fans have created for us to play in at home has been electric. When we’re at home, you help with our intensity.

You help us with our belief. You make the players feel loved. We love you being at the ground. The players appreciate it, as do the staff, because it really does spur us on.

Thank you, as always, for your fantastic support,

Laura

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05

Good afternoon everybody, and after five weeks away, a very warm welcome back to the VBS Community Stadium for today’s match against London City Lionesses.

w

ednesday night was tough to take, effectively losing the game on penalties, but I think the result didn’t reflect our performance.

As a team, we played really well.

We made a few changes and I thought those players who came in were excellent.

We had a great league win at Blackburn last weekend, but we’re trying not to get too far ahead of ourselves. We’re just taking each game as it comes.

You can stitch yourself up if you start focusing on the end goal before the task at hand.

We’re just taking it week by week, session by session, game by game at the moment. I think that’s where we’ve really done well in our performances.

We’ve added some new faces to the squad since our last match here, but I think the togetherness of the group is clearly showing on and off the pitch. All the girls are getting on great, and that really shows in the performances they’re putting in for each other out there.

From game one to now, we’ve

grown as a squad. Our style of play has improved each game, and that’s all we can ask for. Obviously, we’re a footballing team and a nice one to play in. It’s enjoyable for us, and that’s what you want as players at the end of the day.

It will be a tough game against London City Lionesses. All I want us to do is stick to how we play, like we have done each week, and I think we should come away with something I’d like to congratulate Kirsten on winning the cinch Player of the Month vote. She often goes underrated in the squad because often the players who score the goals get the limelight, but Kirsten captain

last season was always a solid player, consistent week-in, weekout, and she’s been the same so far this season. She hasn’t put a foot wrong.

We’re also delighted that Laura has won Championship Manager of the Month. It’s well-deserved. When you’ve got a coach like her, there are no complaints. Everyone wants to play under her, and she gives us that confidence to go and do what we do at the weekend.

This league has shown time and time again that you can’t underestimate anyone. It will be a tough game against London City Lionesses. All I want us to do is stick to how we play, like we have done each week, and I think we should come away with something.

I’ve loved playing in front of you in Sutton this season. It’s been a fantastic move so far. It’s a lovely ground to play at and a lovely pitch to play on. It feels like a home to me and everyone else in the dressing room, thanks to your support.

Enjoy the game!

Aimee

07

Last time out in the Women’s Championship, Crystal Palace Women continued their superb start to the season with a dominant 4-0 win over then-leaders Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park…

Blackburn rovers 0-4 Crystal Palace After riding out some pressure in the early stages, Shanade Hopcroft’s clinical finish – her first goal for Palace coming after 13 minutes – paved the way for another emphatic victory for Laura Kaminski’s side.

While chances proved generally scarce, the Eagles were clinical with them when they arrived, as goals from Polly Doran, substitute Annabel Blanchard and Molly Sharpe all fell in the last 20 minutes.

With their first real attack of the game, Palace took the lead, a strong run from Shauna Guyatt culminating in a ricochet falling for Hopcroft, who swept home.

With Blackburn beginning to push players forwards in the closing stages, gaps opened up for Kaminski’s side to exploit.

And after 71 minutes, another quick transition allowed Hughes to square to Doran, who finished into the bottom corner for her first goal of the season.

A raft of substitutions followed for both sides but it was Blanchard, against her former club, who made the most impact, picking up the ball

40 yards from goal, driving towards the box and hitting a brilliant strike into the bottom corner from range.

The gloss was added to another glorious result by Sharpe with five minutes left on the clock, the forward heading home a corner from Fliss Gibbons – now the Championship’s top assist provider, with four in five games – to seal yet another memorable result.

The three points see Palace remain unbeaten at the start of the 2023/24 season, moving within a point of Southampton at the top of the Women’s Championship – and having played a game fewer.

round-up

Palace take a point from League Cup opener A last-gasp equaliser for Lewes led to a penalty shootout defeat for Crystal Palace Women at the Dripping Pan on Wednesday night – but the Eagles still took away a point from their opening match of the Continental League Cup group stages.

After creating a number of presentable chances in the first-half, but going in goalless, Elise Hughes’ stooping header from a corner on 64 minutes appeared to have given Palace a hard-fought victory against their Sussex rivals.

But with virtually the last action of the game, with all 11 Lewes players forward for a corner, Kate Oakley bundled the ball home from a set-piece to earn her side a 1-1 draw – and the chance to play for a bonus second point from the spot.

Palace ‘keeper Demi Lambourne kept out one of Lewes’ three efforts, but the Eagles were unable to beat goalkeeper Emily Moore in four attempts from the spot, forcing them to settle for a point.

09

Age 23 Position Defender Nationality English Signed 2022 (West Virginia)

Isabella Sibley Having continued her rehabilitation from an anterior-cruciate ligament injury beyond the expiration of her Palace contract this summer, Sibley’s determination to return has led to her being awarded a new deal with the club.

We spoke to Isabella about her long-awaited return…

It is testament to the strength of Isabella’s character that she has been awarded this new contract, and we look forward to seeing her back out on the pitch at the right time Laura Kaminski

How would you describe your rehabilitation?

It’s been a rollercoaster, to be honest. I started off so well last season. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind but I wouldn’t have been able to get through this process without being at this club and their support. The girls have been fantastic. I wouldn’t have been able to get through it without them.

to play with the girls, so I’m really excited to get back, play under the new coaching staff and see what this club can do in the future.

How much are you looking forward to returning?

I can’t wait. It’s been a long time off playing football and not being able

How did it feel to sign a new contract at Palace?

I’m ecstatic to be staying with Palace. There are big ambitions in

How far are you into your recovery journey?

The brink of the end. It’s been a long nine months, but we’re coming to the end of it now. It’s just ticking off the final boxes. I’m very happy with my progress.

isabella sibley

the team and at the club itself, so I’m very happy to be signing on with the club for a bit longer.

What’s been the biggest change for you?

My perspective has completely changed, not being able to play football for so long. It’s made me sit back and be a spectator for once, which I’ve never been before in my life.

It was hard at first, but then I got used to it. I’ve grown into having that wholly different perspective, watching football in a completely different way.

11

Crystal Palace Women have made an excellent start to their 2023/24 campaign at their new home: the VBS Community Stadium. Catch up with the season so far in our comprehensive Stat Zone...

Home fixture Away fixture Cup fixture (Crystal Palace score shown first)

fixtures & results

individual stats

AUGUST Sun 27

Chloe ARTHUR Reading

D 1-1

4

0

Paige BAILEY-GAYLE

4

0

Sun 3

Birmingham City

W 2-1

Keira BARRY

0

0

Sun 10

Durham

W 9-1

Sun 17

Sunderland

D 1-1

Annabel BLANCHARD

6

4

Lia CATALDO

1

0

Blackburn Rovers

W 4-0

Araya DENNIS

5

1

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER Sun 8

Wed 11 Lewes Sun 15

London City Lionesses

Sun 22

Charlton Athletic

NOVEMBER Sun 5

Watford

Sun 12

Lewes

D 1-1

Polly DORAN

4

1

Aimee EVERETT

5

1

Anna FILBEY

6

0

Kirsten Reilly Reilly was named cinch Player of the Month for September by supporters, winning 24% of the vote.

Fliss GIBBONS

5

0

Shauna GUYATT

6

0

Shanade HOPCROFT

6

1

Elise HUGHES

6

7

Annabel JOHNSON

2

0

pos CLUB P W D

L

Fran KITCHING

0

0

1

SOU

6

4

0

2 13 6

7 12

Demi LAMBOURNE

1

0

2

SUN

6

3

3

0

6

3

3 12

FEBRUARY

Natalia NEGRI

5

0

3

BLA

6

4

0

2

6

7 -1 12

Sun 4

Southampton

0

CRY

5

3

2

0 17 4 13 11

Blackburn Rovers

0

4

Sun 18

Ellie NOBLE Hayley NOLAN

6

1

Lexi POTTER

2

0

Kirsten REILLY

6

0

Molly SHARPE

6

2

Sun 19

Southampton

Wed 22 Watford DECEMBER Sun 17

Reading

JANUARY Sun 21

London City Lionesses

Wed 24 London City Lionesses Sun 28

Charlton Athletic

MARCH Sun 3

Birmingham City

Sun 17

Sheffield United

Sun 24

Watford

Sun 31

Durham

APRIL Sun 21

Lewes

Sun 28

Sunderland

TBC

Sheffield United

league table

F

A GD Pts

5

CHA

6

2

3

1

7

5

2

9

6

rea

6

2

3

1

6

6

0

9

7

dur

6

2

2

2

6 13 -7 8

8

shu

5

2

1

2

6

5

9

bir

6

1

2

3

5

6 -1 5

1

7

Isabella SIBLEY

0

0

10 lon

6

1

2

3

5

9 -4 5

Lucy WATSON

2

0

11

wat

6

1

1

4

7

11 -4 4

Annis-Clara WRIGHT

0

0

12 LEW

6

0

1

5

1

10 -9 1

fixtures, results & stats

Crystal palace f.c.

Fran KITCHING (GK) Annabel JOHNSON Fliss GIBBONS Chloe ARTHUR Anna FILBEY Aimee EVERETT Isabella SIBLEY Molly SHARPE Elise HUGHES Annabel BLANCHARD Kirsten REILLY Lia CATALDO Natalia NEGRI (GK) Paige BAILEY-GAYLE Hayley NOLAN Ellie NOBLE Lexi POTTER Keira BARRY Polly DORAN Shauna GUYATT Araya DENNIS Shanade HOPCROFT Lucy WATSON Demi LAMBOURNE (GK) Annis-Clara WRIGHT (GK)

london city lionesses 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 24 25 30 31

P. Cross M. Butcher E. Hardstaff J. Kings

1 2 3 4 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 20 22 24 25 28 29 31 33 71 99

Grace MOLONEY (GK) Grace NEVILLE Emma MUKANDI Georgia BROUGHAM Sonia O’NEILL Lois JOEL Connie SCOFIELD Izzy GROVES Tinaya ALEXANDER Hermione CULL (GK) Paige SATCHELL Alice HUGHES Millie RAYNER Lucy FITZGERALD Danielle CARTER Maddi WILDE Paige CULVER Olivia FRASER Lois HEUCHAN Sophie HILLYERD (GK) Kay TONES Ruesha LITTLEJOHN Chantelle BOYE-HLORKAH Niamh FARRELLY Ellie DOLBY