Keynsham Ladies 2 - 2 Palace Ladies

Sunday 2nd September

National Premier League, Southern Division

After an impressive victory over Bath last week Palace made the long journey to Keynsham. Team news for the Eagles saw Caroline Barker replace Karly Dunmall on the left flank and Sharna Longville came into the centre midfield for Becky Merrit who was carrying a knock.

Before kick off a minute silence was held in remembrance of Michael Curtis who died earlier in the week. Mike was father to Natalie Curtis, who was last seasons reserve team captain.

Palace failed to get out the blocks, and after 46 seconds they found themselves 1 nil down. Palace immediately went on the attack and a smart turn and shot from Jen Poole went inches wide of the post. Within 7 minutes of the game Palace found themselves 2 nil down after some sloppy marking left prolific striker Shelia Rocha to sneak in and head the ball into the corner of the net.

Despite being 2 nil down palace showed tremendous fighting spirit and pulled themselves level after 25 minutes when Beth Curtis played a delightful threw ball to her striker partner Claire Williams who calmly slotted the ball past the Keynsham keeper. Minutes later and Palace were level, Keynsham failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Curtis who hammered the ball into the roof of the net from outside the box.

Just before the half time interval Williams broke through the Keynsham defence and was hacked down by two Keynsham defenders, however the referee saw otherwise and play resumed. The sides went in level at half time.

The second half saw Palace take the iniative, and there was an immediate chance from substitute Becky Merrit that went agonisingly wide of the post. Then Williams once again broke clear and scored an excellent solo goal only to find her goal disallowed, both linesman and referee gave contradicting views on why the goal was disallowed which confused the Palace bench. After 55 minutes saw the introduction of Kenny Ogunneye who replaced the hard working Williams up front. Kenny was involved immediately, and with her first touch of the game struck a shot from outside the box, only to be thwarted by an outstanding save from the Keynsham goalkeeper. Palace once again had the ball in the net as Kenny managed to find Jen Poole in the box, once again the goal was disallowed for some unknown reason.

By now both teams were looking for the winner, Keynsham had two chances in the second half which brought the best out of Palace keeper Kelly Cooper. Keynsham were an excellent attacking team, but where restricted to a few chances due to some tough tackling in midfield, led by Laura East and a very hard working and organised back four. At the other end Palace had two chances cleared of the line from corners. In the final 10 minutes a shot from Laura East struck a Keynsham defender in the box; however the referee nor assistant were interested.

The game finished 2-2, Palace managed Quinton Naidoo stated after the game "I was extremely impressed with the way the girls bounced back from being 2nil down. We showed great spirit and fight to get back into the game. I was absolutely appalled with all 3 officials. Keynsham is a tough place to come and get a result, so a point is not bad- but we deserved a lot better, and the way we played we should have had all 3 points. In football your bound to get a few decisions against you, but everything went against us today."

Next week Palace travel down to the South Coast to take on Brighton. Palace failed to gain a victory against the Seagulls last season so it will be another big test for the girls.

Goal Scorers: Claire Williams & Beth Curtis

Starting Line up: Cooper, Moore, Newbound, Walters, Whitcombe, Poole, Barker, East Longville, Williams, Curtis

Subs: Ogguneye, Edmonds, Rolfe, Merrit