Women's Report: Crystal Palace 3-4 Saints

Southampton FC Women travelled to Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park for the latest installment of Barclays Women’s Championship action.

Fourth place Saints were hoping to bounce back after a disappointing loss at home to now top Charlton Athletic, while Palace were looking to continue their impressive form which sees them sit third with a game in hand and a healthy goal difference.

A frantic first half saw Saints open the scoring through Molly Pike, with Palace hitting back rapidly.

Regaining the lead once more through Ella Morris, it was a disappointing end to the first half as Elise Hughes turned home in front of an exuberant Palace crowd.

A spot kick for palace slammed home by Hughes early in the second half meant that Saints' had to come from behind to secure the win, with Rianna Dean and Katie Wilkinson coming up with the goods to secure all three points.

Marieanne Spacey-Cale’s side pressed high from the off, and some smart closing down from Molly Pike on the edge of the box saw Lucia Kendall with the first opportunity of the game, her left-footed shot collected by Demi Lambourne.

There was a lengthy break in play early on as Ella Morris and Palace’s Hayley Nolan both slid in for the same ball, Morris coming off the better in the challenge.

Saints continued to push high up the pitch and that pressure paid off in the 13th minute. A cross into Rianna Dean’s feet was notched back, and despite getting a Palace touch, was nicked by Pike, who made no mistake in slotting through bodies into the back of the net.

Celebrations didn’t last long however as Palace showcased their ability to hit teams in attack; Aimee Everett heading home a set piece delivery just five minutes after Saints’ opener.

Not to have their bright start dampened by conceding, Saints continued their attrition of the Palace box. Rianna Dean did well to control a wayward ball and set back to Kendall who sent an effort flying over the bar just after the 20th minute, while the home side struggled to make it past the halfway line.

Once again, the pressure paid off. Another ball into the box ricocheted around both Saints and Palace players before Ella Morris rose above the pack to head a looping shot over the retreating Demi Lambourne to restore their lead in the 23rd minute.

Ella Morris netted Saints' second at Selhurst Park

Certainly a game for the neutrals, there was action at the other end shortly after. A ball into no man's land was met by Rendell who was unable to properly clear - leaving her goal unguarded. Milly Mott was on hand to block the ensuing shot, while Paige Peake did well to slam away from any lurking Palace shirts.

What had promised to be a showstopper of a fixture continued to be just that for the over 4,000 strong crowd, with both sides fighting to create chances from the centre of the pitch.

Unfortunately for Saints, it was Palace who once again found an opening just before the half time whistle, as a ball was farmed out to the left hand side and slid back across the box where Elise Hughes made no mistake in sending home first time.

A frantic half with two goals apiece, it looked like the game could go either way.

It was a battling first half for Saints

Jemma Purfield started the second half with a crunching tackle that saw her name straight into the referee's book with a yellow.

Palace on the other hand had two corner opportunities to start off the second 45. Saints did well to absorb the pressure and clear away from danger both times.

Saints went up the other end, creating their own opportunity from open play just five minutes into the second half. Paired pressure from Pike and Dean saw the latter able to collect and send a shot spinning towards goal, but it was well blocked by a Palace shirt.

Spacey-Cale's side had yet another opportunity less than a minute later, as a ball over the top to Pike was closed down well by Lambourne, only to fall loose. Kendall was coming onto the ball to strike, but Palace were once again able to deny the shot.

Despite the early opportunities, it was Palace who had the ball in the net next, as Parnell was adjudged to have fouled her player inside the box and Elise Hughes converted from the spot.

There was no lack of fight from Saints, and Spacey-Cale's side continued to press high up the pitch, relentless in their search for an equaliser.

Spacey-Cale made her first changes of the game in the 70th minute, Alice Griffiths and Atlanta Primus replacing Chloe Peplow and Molly Pike.

Griffiths had a near instantaneous impact, heading another looping ball towards the back of the net - this time Lambourne was able to tip onto the crossbar.

Despite the initial stop, Palace hadn't evaded all danger, and the ball was still live in the box. Saints did well to keep the attack rolling, and Rianna Dean came up trumps as she poked home an effort to put Saints back level in the 70th minute.

Lexi Lloyd-Smith was Spacey-Cale's next change, replacing goalscorer Rianna Dean as Saints fought for all three points.

It was Lloyd-Smith who provided the perfect ball to Saints number 9 Katie Wilkinson shortly afterwards. A perfectly placed cross which was nodded home expertly by Wilkinson to give Saints a well-earned lead in the 85th minute.

Another professional performance was required to ensure the side left with all three points, and Emily Kraft was Spacey-Cale's final set of fresh legs in the 90th minute as they pinned Palace back, replacing Wilkinson.

Crystal Palace were unable to find a way through the resolute Saints defence, and it was a vital three points collected on the road for Spacey-Cale's side.

The perfect pre-cursor to Thursday night's Continental Cup clash with Arsenal FC Women, which is set to take place in front of a 10,000 strong crowd at St Mary's Stadium.

Palace XI: Lambourne, Reilly, Everett ©, Nolan, Gibbons, Arthur (Filbey, 67'), Hopcroft, Potter, Dennis, Sharpe, Hughes.

Substitutes unused: Negri, Johnson, Cataldo, Sibley, Guyatt, Bailey-Gayle.

Palace goals: Everett (13'), Hughes (44', 56' P)

Saints XI: Rendell, Purfield, Mott, Parnell ©, Peake, Morris, Kendall, Peplow (Griffiths, 70'), Pike (Primus, 70'), Wilkinson (Kraft, 90'), Dean (Lloyd-Smith, 81').

Substitutes unused: Howard, Milne, Rafferty, Wynne, Pharoah.

Saints goals: Pike (13'), Morris (23'), Wilkinson (85')