Report: Larkin stunner earns Palace a point at Villa

Summary:

Larkin's super strike cancelled out an earlier Villa goal to see both sides share the points in a 1-1 draw.

• Potter makes eight changes from Wednesday's Charlton win, as Larkin is handed her second WSL start of the season.
• 3: Okuma gets down well to save from Bartrip
• 17: Grant pokes a cross over the bar
• 29: Strong save from Peyraud-Magnin to deny Vangsgaard
• 44: Larkin gets a good shot away but Okuma matches it
• HT: Villa 0-0 Palace
• 48: England latches onto a long ball, and her shot curls just past the post
• 51: Wilms arrives late in the box, but can't get her effort on target
• 55: Goal - Maritz sweeps home an opener for the hosts
• 64: Larkin is hauled to the ground by Deslandes, but the referee isn't interested
• 74: GOAL - Larkin intercepts a stray pass and smashes in an equaliser
• 86: Mullett fires over from close-range
• FT: Villa 1-1 Palace

For the second time in a week, Palace travelled to Birmingham to earn a point on the road.

After going behind in the second-half to a Noelle Maritz goal, Abbie Larkin popped up with a fine strike on 74 minutes to earn the Eagles a 1-1 draw.

The game exploded into life from minute 55, with both teams attacking more frequently as time went on.

Despite both sides having late chances to win it, neither could pull ahead and Palace go into the October international break with another point on the board.

It was an somewhat uneventful first-half, with neither side creating quality chances on a regular basis.

Palace could have gone ahead within three minutes, with the ball landing at the feet of Molly Bartrip in the box after a free-kick.

The centre-back aimed for the far corner but Villa stopper Akane Okuma was equal to her effort, and managed to push the ball away to safety.

The hosts had the better of it in the first 45, with Pauline Peyraud-Magnin saving several decent Villa attempts.

The Eagles ramped up the pressure as we headed towards half-time though, with Abbie Larkin going close with a near post effort on 44 minutes.

Okuma managed to save and the game was goalless at half-time.

The hosts managed to break the deadlock ten minutes into the second-half, with Noelle Maritz finishing well from a dangerous counter-attack.

There was then a moment of controversy on 65 minutes, where Larkin was seemingly pulled to the ground by the retreating Océane Deslandes.

Referee Abigail Byrne was not interested though, and waved away the Palace protests.

Larkin was not to be deterred, and on minute 74 - she put the Eagles back on level terms.

The Ireland international intercepted a stray Villa pass and drove towards goal, before letting fly from 20 yards.

Her strike whistled past Okuma in the Villa net and Larkin wheeled away in celebration.

Either side could have won it at the death, with Shannon O'Brien missing a good opportunity and Pauline Peyraud-Magnin pulling off a stunning stop from Miri Taylor in extra-time.

The final whistle blew at Villa Park with the scores at 1-1, with Palace getting another point ahead of the October international break.

This result currently leaves the Eagles in eighth-place, with Arsenal still yet to play in the WSL.

We host West Ham United at the Borough Sports Ground upon our return from international break, with kick-off scheduled for 12:00 BST on Sunday, 18th October.

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Villa: Okuma (GK), Harviken, Patten, Kielland (Hijikata, 63), Wilms, Martiz (Maltby, 81), Grant (Mullett, 73), Vangsgaard (Murphy, 81), Kendall, Deslandes, Taylor

Subs: Ramsey (GK), Kelly (GK), McAulay, Scott

Palace: Peyraud-Magnin (GK), Everett, Lloyd-Smith, England (Howat, 90), Blanchard (O'Brien, 70), Larkin, Goldie (Enge, 70), Hopcroft (Sharpe, 70), Tsunoda, Swaby, Bartrip

Subs: Yañez (GK), Napier, Weerden, Cosme, Nolan