Crystal Palace have made it two wins from two in the Barclays Women’s Championship as they defeated Coventry United 3-0 at Hayes Lane this evening.
The Eagles top the table after collecting maximum points while latest opponents Coventry United are yet to pick up any points this season.
Both teams made two changes from their opening games with Kirsten Reilly and Molly-Mae Sharpe making their first starts of the season for Crystal Palace and Fran Orthodoxou and captain Jodie Bartle coming in for Coventry United.
Both teams started the season with 1-0 scorelines, Crystal Palace winning at London City Lionesses and Coventry United losing at home to Bristol City and it was an unsurprisingly defensive performance from The Red and Greens in the first half.
Despite dominating possession, The Eagles found it hard to break down a committed Coventry United defence with the ball being passed back and forth along the Crystal Palace back-three just inside their own half for spells. Much of what was good for Crystal Palace came down the left wing through Coral-Jade Haines and Isabella Sibley but it wasn’t until the final minute of the half that the South Londoners got their reward. Anna Filbey received the ball just inside the Coventry United half and she ran forward before threading the ball through into the penalty area for Sharpe to fire home and give the home side a deserved lead.
In the second half, Coventry United had to come out and play and in the initial exchanges they looked more dangerous, although it wasn’t long before Crystal Palace reasserted their dominance. Filbey was able to get forward and she showed her value in attack with a couple of threaded passes, even getting in a shot that was turned out for a corner.
Again, it was the left wing that brought most of the danger for Crystal Palace as Sibley and Blanchard combined to produce a number of chances. It was the latter who gave The Eagles their second goal after 63 minutes when she received the ball in the area and fired into the top right corner, the Coventry United defence giving her too much time and space in a dangerous area.
As Coventry United tired, Crystal Palace were comfortable and in time added on, The Eagles added a third goal through substitute Elise Hughes. Visiting keeper Jodie Whiteman was only able to parry a shot from Blanchard and the ball fell invitingly to Hughes who converted from close range. It was a good win for Dean Davenport’s side and one which takes the club to the top of the table, at least for the time being.
Coventry United once again put in a resolute performance in defence, though they tired and were made to pay later in the game. A notable mention goes to Megan Alexander who impressed both defensively and pushing forward at times but it looks like it’s going to be another long hard season for The Red and Greens who never really looked like they were going to score.