There are few matches in the English footballing calendar that resemble the emotions of a Shakesperian tragedy more than a relegation six pointer in the Spring. The catastrophic lows exist only in the presence of meteoric highs, and Sunday afternoon’s match at the VBS Community Stadium served only to enrich that tradition.
Crystal Palace, rooted to the bottom of the Barclays Women’s Super League table had not won at home in the league all season. The Eagles welcomed an Aston Villa side who conversely were yet to win away. Neither side had scored in the league under their new head coaches but this encounter represented each club’s best opportunity to change that so far.
The two sides produced one of the games of the season when they met last year in the league at Villa Park. They were only separated on the day by a late, late Ebony Salmon wonder strike and the former Houston Dash striker kept her place in the starting eleven. Natalia Arroyo’s eyebrow raising decision to drop Rachel Daly from the starting line up last week was rectified but there was no place in the starting team for Jordan Nobbs who was also dropped last week.
Aston Villa and Crystal Palace were both dumped out of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup by the Subway League Cup finalists last weekend, with the home side beaten by Chelsea and the away side downed by Manchester City. Crystal Place made three changes to the team that battled bravely against the newly crowned Subway League Cup champions. Annabel Blanchard was dropped to the bench while Fliss Gibbons and Indiah Paige-Riley were missing from the squad through injury, in their place started Katie Stengel, Abbie Larkin and lastly Aniek Nouwen who was available again after being ineligible to play against her parent club at Kingsmeadow last week.
The Line ups:
CRY: Yañez, Woodham, Swaby, Nouwen, Sharpe, Arthur, Cato, Larisey, Larkin, Weerden, Stengel
AST: D’Angelo, Thomas, Parker, Patten, Maritz, Taylor , Baijings, Hanson, Grant, Salmon, Daly
The Action:
On a windy afternoon in South London both sides started this vital match in understandably cagey fashion. It was the visitors who had the first shot on goal of the afternoon despite Crystal Palace doing much of the early running. A quick break saw Chasity Grant run menacingly at goal before she played a ball wide to Ebony Salmon whose shot across the keeper was well held. A nice move from Aston Villa just before the 20 minute mark resulted in an effort from Bayern Munich loanee Jill Baijings which whistled just over the crossbar.
Embed from Getty Images
A both sides began to warm up, Crystal Palace almost went clean through when Lily Woodham played a brilliant through ball to the onrushing Clarissa Larisey but the ball skidded unnaturally on the hybrid turf and into the grateful arms of Sabrina D’Angelo. It was clearly the game plan for Palace to catch Villa out in the transitions, with the speedy Larisey and Ashleigh Weerden ready to pounce.
Palace had their most threatening effort of the match as Stengel latched onto a ball in behind to force D’Angelo into a smart save at the near post down to her right. Palace would take the lead from the resulting corner as Nouwen headed home from the middle of the box and despite the valiant best efforts of Miri Taylor to prevent the goal Nouwen had made it 1-0.
Embed from Getty Images
Crystal Palace were hungry for further success and a smart slice of skill and invention helped Larisey past Anna Patten only for her cut back to be intercepted by the Irish centre back. The Eagles buoyed by their lead came forward with My Cato driving to the bye line she played a deceptive cut back to Larisey whose powerful curling effort could not curl enough to find the bottom corner from inside the box.
The second half began as the first had ended with Crystal Palace on the front foot, after smart work from Stengel to recycle possession Weerden burst into space but shot when perhaps she should have passed. Moments later Larisey should have made it 2-0 clean through with the goal gaping the Canadian sent the ball wide of the target before falling to her knees and burying her head in her hands.
Embed from Getty Images
Aston Villa pushed for a leveller but were struggling to create without being caught out in behind. They had reason for their concerns as on the break Crystal Palace did punish Villa. Marvellous work from Stengel saw her play the ball to Weerden she cut inside and fired a powerful drive to D’Angelo’s right, the keeper got a hand to it but the force of the effort was too much. Villa responded with a header from a free kick but Daly’s effort was caught by Shae Yañez. Shortly after Villa should have pulled one back after Daly flicked a corner onto the back post but Salmon, free at the back post was unable to direct her volley goal-wards.
Villa could wait on longer to make a change and just past the hour mark Villa made a quadruple substitution with Missy Bo Kearns, Danielle Turner, Gabby Nunes and Jordan Nobbs were introduced. Crystal Palace despite ceding the territory in the match continued to look a threat in attack Weerden almost returned the favour to Stengel but the American’s shot was smothered by D’Angelo. With just over 20 minutes to play, a stunning Nobbs effort from range rattled the crossbar when it looked like it might contend for goal of the season.
Aston Villa would finally get their reward for their perseverance in attack after Lucy Parker lifted the ball into the far corner of the Crystal Palace net from a set piece. Villa had just five minutes of normal time to make it count. Villa had improved since making the changes with Nobbs and Bo Kearns particularly impressing, the latter almost found Baijings in the box late on but her shot was blocked.
With moments remaining and Villa pushing high up the pitch Palace took advantage. D’Angelo came rushing out to the halfway line to win the ball when all but Stengel were in the Palace half. Turning back towards goal almost without thinking passed the ball to Stengel, who was all too happy to oblige by finding the back of an empty net.
Crystal Palace Player Ratings:
Shae Yañez – 6/10 – Did what was asked of her, which was precious little. Almost made a huge error when she misjudged a corner and was grateful for a covering defender.
Lily Woodham – 8/10 – Linked up well on the left hand side with Larkin. Showed ambition when going forward and her inventive set piece routines caught Villa out more than once. Her corner resulted in the opening goal.
Embed from Getty Images
Allyson Swaby – 7/10 – One of, if not the best January signing Swaby has made herself so important to this Palace defence, her strength and ability to read the game stood out particularly today.
Aniek Nouwen – 8/10 – A couple of assured early touches and calm on the ball helped Palace build from the back. Took her goal extremely well an assured performance from the Chelsea loanee.
Molly Sharpe– 7/10 – Her defensive awareness was impeccable, she made a goal saving interception with moments left in the first half.
Chloe Artur – 6/10 – Helped her side to contain Aston Villa when the Villains came forward in attack.
My Cato – 8/10 – Kept things ticking in the middle of the park and her close control and ability to dribble out of danger is a joy to watch. She lifts the levels of this Palace team every time she pulls on the red and blue jersey.
Ashleigh Weerden – 8/10 – Positive in possession demonstrating her impressive close control, often struggled to find the final product required when her ability had got her in with an opportunity to do so. Her dogged pressing play caused mistakes in defence for Villa and she scored a brilliant second goal for the Eagles.
Embed from Getty Images
Abbie Larkin – 7/10 – Got back and defended well for her team, her first touch was impressive on a number of occasions. Faded as the match went on but remained threatening with the ball at her feet and continued to get back and defend at every opportunity.
Clarissa Larisey– 7/10 – A willing runner the Canadian chased every ball in behind with fervour. Her decision making in the final third was at times lacking, had a wonderful chance to play through Weerden in the first half but held onto the ball for too long and then misjudged the pass. Could have scored a couple with the chances she had on the day but was doing well to get into those positions.
Katie Stengel – 8/10 – The American felt like what Palace had been missing from their matches so far under Lief Smerud she used her strength well to aid Palace in getting up the pitch. Her hold up play was a manager’s dream setting up Weerden for the second Palace goal. Her goal on the day was a stoke of luck her performance deserved.
Aston Villa Player Ratings
Sabrina D’Angelo– 4/10 – Should have done better to stop Palace’s second goal, could not go much to stop their first but her error in passing to Stengel put the match beyond Villa.
Paula Thomas – 6/10 – Did not have much luck today and perhaps was too eager to perform well. Looked nervy especially when pressed.
Lucy Parker – 7/10 – Struggled a little when Weerden was running at her, scored a fantastic goal to get Aston Villa back in the match.
Anna Patten – 6/10 – Did not do a huge amount wrong, and was one of Villa’s better players.
Noelle Maritz– 5/10 – Weerden gave Maritz all types of issues, the pace of Palace’s attack was challenging for the travelling side to deal with.
Jill Baijings – 6/10 – Struggled to exert control in the midfield for Aston Villa but improved when playing alongside the experienced Nobbs.
Miri Taylor – 7/10 – Did her best to stop Nouwen’s powerful header, feels like she is lacking some confidence after mistake against Manchester City last week.
Kirsty Hanson – 6/10 – Made a wonderful driving run early in the first half, struggled to get involved overall.
Chasity Grant – 7/10 – Worked hard and tried to make something happen in attack for Villa. Made some brilliant runs with the ball at her feet. Came back to defend aptly a number of times.
Ebony Salmon – 6/10 – Showed some smart touches and invention in attack but had precious few chances to get her goal.
Rachel Daly – 6/10 – Was not given much service and struggled to get involved. She worked hard in the second half and was dominant in the air but was unable to make it show.
The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Ashleigh Weerden
The Dutch forward touched every blade off artificial grass in Sutton on Sunday afternoon. She was the constant out ball that Crystal Palace needed with Katie Stengel the perfect foil. The Aston Villa defence struggled to deal with her and she took her goal extremely well.