Crystal Palace FC Spokes: Excitement Has Hit New Levels

The SSE Women's FA Cup first round tie between Crystal Palace FC Ladies and Charlton Ladies takes place at Selhurst Park Stadium this afternoon, kick-off 1.00pm.

The ticket prices will be £7.50 on the day of the game with under 12’s free of charge with a paying adult.

The main stand will be the area open in the stadium and all tickets will be available from the CPFC box office.

Palace Ladies Chairman, Richard Spokes, is looking forward to the contest being played at the main stadium and feels it is a great opportunity for the Ladies. "The players and staff are absolutely thrilled to be playing at the home of Crystal Palace, especially in The FA Cup. To be recognised by CPFC and be offered the.opportunity to showcase their abilities has created a real extra buzz around the team and wider club. A number of the team had the opportunity to play in a league game at Selhurst towards the end of last season, and thoroughly enjoyed it and rose to the occasion. However, this time around the excitement has hit new levels and the girls are determined to make the most of it."

Spokes is aware of the dangers that the the visitors bring to the home side as they look to progress in the competition. "Charlton are a well respected and very experienced team, having been a regular presence around the top of the league that we have been promoted to this season, for a number of years.

"They are a well organised set up, across the club and will be a tough challenge. We played them in the third round of The FA Cup two seasons ago and draw 3-3 before losing out on penalties. The more recent encounters have been two league games this season that have seen two intense games, that ended 3-3 and 2-2."

The Chairman is looking forward to seeing a good attendance at Selhurst Park to get behind his team for the game. "One of the most encouraging aspects of our progress has been the support and warmth shown by the Palace fans and family. Without a doubt, this has acted as a real boost to the players who understand the responsibility and honour it is to represent the club. To have a large number of Palace fans backing the players at Selhurst Park on Sunday will be a real inspiration to the girls who will be keen to show fans, new and existing, what makes them the team that so many are talking about. The girls would love to see as as many as can make it to the.match, and will do their best to make them proud."

For those supporters attending who may be watching the side for the first time this season we asked Richard for his views on the form so far in this campaign. "The season so far has been really encouraging. Having secured promotion to the top flight of The FAWPL this season, we knew it would be a challenge and the players and staff have risen to it. All our games have been close affairs and it is fair to say we have surprised quite a few with our performances and results. The initial aim of survival has now been replaced with a realistic ambition of a top half finish, perhaps even higher, if we can maintain momentum. We have an excellent squad of players with exactly the right mentality; all focussed on not just this.season but the very real ambition of Women's Super League football at the earliest opportunity.

"Equal to the achievements on the pitch, we are equally proud of how our efforts and continued hard work are forming such a close partnership with Crystal Palace FC."

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