Report: Palace edge out Watford after O'Brien's late winner

One goal was ultimately enough as Palace bounced back from Sunday's defeat to Spurs, to make a winning start in the newly revamped competition.

Summary:

• 3: England has an early sight of goal but can’t find the target
• 27: Sharpe tests Watford ‘keeper Williams from distance
• HT: Palace 0-0 Watford
• 46: Potter brings on Everett and Goldie for the second-half
• 63: Lloyd-Smith joins the action as the Eagles seek a breakthrough
• 82 – GOAL: Off the bench Shannon O’Brien heads Palace in front with just eight minutes to play
• FT: Palace 1-0 Watford

The Eagles began the league phase campaign aiming to match last season’s run to the quarterfinals, with a Watford side yet to win in WSL 2, their first opponents.

Palace had the better of a tight first-half against the second-tier side at Sutton.

The two chances fell to Beth England, the first coming just three minutes in which forced an excellent stop from Watford’s debutant ‘keeper Naomi Williams.

Molly-Mae Sharpe also called Williams into action from long-range, but the visitors continued to frustrate Jo Potter’s Eagles.

A major bright spark was Academy midfielder Amy Moynihan making her first senior start. The youngster more than held her own in her first taste of senior football, helping Palace dominate the ball.

Kirsty Howat, one of ten changes from the team that started against Spurs, also went close from distance before the interval.

But once the recalled Hayley Nolan’s effort also narrowly missed, Palace had to settle for a 0-0 scoreline at the break.

Potter introduced Teyah Goldie and Aimee Everett at the break and it led to an increase in urgency from the hosts.

Everett went close, before England and Goldie saw shots blocked as the Eagles started to commit forward in greater numbers.

The pressure would increase as the minutes ticked by, only for the woodwork to spare the visitors on two occasions.

First, Everett rattled the crossbar from just inside the box, before substitute Shannon O’Brien – only minutes after replacing England – was denied by the post.

But just when it looked as though Palace might be frustrated in the league phase opener, the breakthrough arrived.

Good work from Sharpe teed up an O’Brien header that this time found the net, putting the Eagles on course with her first goal for the club.

The only real scare that followed came when Watford had the ball in the closing minutes but denied by the assistant referee’s flag.

Shae Yanez then saved from Aoibheann Clancy to preserve her clean sheet and confirm Palace’s winning start to the League Cup.

The Eagles next face Birmingham in league action at the weekend, before a return to this competition at home to Charlton one week from tonight.

Palace: Yañez (GK), Nolan, Cosme (Goldie, 46), Swaby, Weerden (Lloyd-Smith, 63), Enge, Moynihan (Everett, 46), Sharpe, Larkin, Howat, England (O'Brien, 63).

Subs: Erhabor (GK), Bartrip, Napier, Hopcroft, Blanchard.

Watford: Williams (GK) (Lambourne, 46), Bailey, Noble, Chandler, (Fyfe, 61), Wilson (Perry, 74), Clancy, Kuyken (Skyers, 67), Muya, Poole (Noonan, 61) Teisar.

Subs: Garrad, Lyon, Greenwood, Gray, Filbey, Haines.