2023/24
women
sun 19 nov 2023 14:00 kick-off
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03
palace √ SOUTHAMPTON sUN 19 nov | 14:00
WELCOME TO SELHURST PARK After a remarkable start to 2023/24, Crystal Palace Women return to Selhurst Park this afternoon – and with a record 2,500 tickets already taken up at the time of going to print, we’re all set for a stunning atmosphere in SE25. With the Eagles going into today’s game just a point off the top of the Championship table, every point – and every supporter getting behind the team – will count this afternoon. We thank you for being in
attendance and ask you to be loud, be proud, and be Palace. You can find head coach Laura Kamiski’s thoughts on page 5, as well as those of captain Aimee Everett on page 7; a full guide to Palace’s 2023/24 season and players from page 9 onwards; and an introduction to our visitors today, Southampton, on page 17. If you’re inspired by today’s match, you can also find out more about players, news and upcoming matches – including how to purchase tickets – at cpfc.co.uk/palace-women. Following today’s game,
Palace Women’s next home fixture is against Watford at our regular home – the VBS Community Stadium in Sutton – on Wednesday, 22nd November (19:15 GMT kick-off). Tickets are now available via cpfc.co.uk. Palace for Life Foundation, meanwhile, continue to provide free football sessions for young girls and women in south London, aiming to inspire them to engage with football, develop fundamental skills, and create a lifelong love of the game. You can find out more about these sessions by visiting the Foundation’s website.
On this day 19 Nov 2020 Scan here for our new service which allows a quick, easy, and anonymous (at reporters’ discretion) reporting of safeguarding concerns.
A chilly Thursday night saw Palace put six past London Bees in Bromley. The Bees even went ahead after eight minutes, but goals from Coral Haines, Bianca Baptiste (2), Cherelle Khassal, Amy Taylor and an own-goal helped the Eagles advance from their League Cup group on goal difference.
BRIEFING
04
Head coach
05
Good afternoon everybody, and a very warm welcome to Selhurst Park for our exciting Women’s Championship match against Southampton.
I
’d like to take this opportunity to welcome Marieanne and her Southampton team to SE25 today. They have made a strong start to this season and they’re an impressive, well-organised side, so we’re looking forward to a great game of football. What a brilliant occasion this promises to be. We’ve been working hard towards this: it’s a big day for the group, as well as a little change for us not being at Sutton, but I know the girls will take this day in their stride and look forward to a good game. We go into today’s game following back-to-back wins against Watford and Lewes. Those six points give us a lot of confidence – but like I’ve said before, we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves. A lot of people will be really pleased with where we are in the table this season, but we’re taking it one game at a time. I’m really proud of the way the players performed against Lewes in our 3-2 win. I thought the way they came back from 1-0 down – a situation which we haven’t been in often this season – was a really pleasing reaction. That period after half-time, when there were some strong messages
delivered, was when we started to change the game, so I’m really proud of the group and the determination and the grit that they showed to turn the match around. Sometimes there are things you can’t coach on the grass – and that’s when your environment, your culture and the togetherness of your group takes over.
We’ve got some fantastic players, so we have to make sure that we prepare well, we keep our feet on the ground, but we also keep moving forwards We also scored three good goals, which shows we give the players great freedom within the structure. It’s so good when you’ve got a variety of goalscorers. Obviously Hughesy is known as our main threat – and as Head coach
a No. 9, that’s what we want – but it’s important to see other people are getting in and around the 18-yard box and showing their technical ability. We have to recognise that Southampton are a fantastic side, so we’ve made sure that we’ve prepared throughout the week and aren’t getting carried away with ourselves. It’s one job at a time for us, and I’ve got a group that really understand and buy into that. We’ve got some fantastic players, so we have to make sure that we prepare well, we keep our feet on the ground, but we also keep moving forwards. We want to show that we can perform against good sides. That’s where we want to be – so we feel ready for this game. I understand we’re expecting a record crowd for Palace Women at Selhurst Park today, which is fantastic. Certainly, the players have felt your support in Sutton so far this season – I know I have as well – and you’ve made it a brilliant place to call home. Hopefully, we can make you proud this afternoon. Enjoy the game! Laura
06
captain
07
Good afternoon everybody, and welcome to what should be a fantastic occasion at Selhurst Park today, playing against great opposition in Southampton.
W
e’re delighted to learn that a record crowd is expected in SE25 this afternoon. It’s brilliant to think so many of you will be there backing us and supporting us, and it will be a real honour to lead the team out at Selhurst Park for the very first time as captain. I’m in my third season with Crystal Palace now, so it’s been a huge honour to take the armband, especially at my age. It’s been wonderful to see how well the team have started the season – but we’re still just taking it week by week, session by session, game by game at the moment. I think that’s where we’ve really done well in our performances. We’ve added plenty of new faces to the club since our last match here a year ago, but I think the togetherness of this group is clearly showing, on and off the pitch. All the girls are getting on great, and that really shows in not only the performances they’re putting in for each other out there, but the number of different goalscorers we’ve seen so far this season.
From game one to now, we’ve grown as a squad. Our style of play has improved each game, and that’s all we can ask for. Obviously, we’re a footballing team and a nice one to play in. It’s been really enjoyable for us under Laura and her coaching team, and hopefully that’s been the same for you watching as well. Those performances have had wider recognition, of course, and I’d like to congratulate Annabel
it’s a hugely exciting occasion for all of us – so today, we’re looking to do you proud Blanchard on winning the cinch Player of the Month vote for October. Scoring back-to-back home hattricks is no mean feat, but it’s the confidence with which Annabel – and all of our attackers – are playing at the moment that I’ve loved seeing as captain. I’d also like to congratulate Araya Dennis for winning Championship Goal of the Month. captain
I’m sure doing so with a brilliant goal against Charlton Athletic at the Valley, even in an eventual defeat, will mean a lot to every Palace supporter! I’m really proud of how we’ve bounced back from that game, which was our first loss of the season. We’ve since won 3-0 away at Watford and 3-2 at home to Lewes – two tough fixtures, but matches in which we showed great spirit to respond, come through and get the full six points. I don’t think we could have asked for anything more than that. Obviously that gives us good momentum going today’s game, which is a hugely exciting occasion for all of us – so today, we’re looking to do you proud. We’ve all loved playing in front of you this season. We’re unbeaten at home so far, and you’ve made Sutton feel like a home to me and everyone else in the dressing room. I’m sure you’ll do the same at Selhurst today. Thank you for your support. Enjoy the game! Aimee
THERE’S ALWAYS A HOME FOR THE EAGLES
OFFICIAL PARTNER OF CRYSTAL PALACE WOMEN
SALES • LETTINGS • MANAGEMENT
0208 650 1000 beckenham@winkworth.co.uk 141 High St, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1BX
The squad
Back row: Chico Lyons (Physical Performance Coach); Andrew Shafik (Team Doctor); Isiah Goddard-Joseph (Sports Therapist); Andrew Greene (Sports Scientist); Nick Wiltshire (Kit Manager); Leigh Nicol (Player Liaison Officer)
Front row: Alexia Potter; Shauna Guyatt; Annabel Blanchard; Lia Cataldo; Fliss Gibbons; Annabel Johnson; Laura Kaminski (Head Coach); Adam Jeffrey (Assistant Coach); Aimee Everett (Captain); Kirsten Reilly; Shanade Hopcroft; Lucy Watson; Anna Filbey; Isabella Sibley
Middle row: Daniel Matraszek (Lead Goalkeeper Coach); Polly Doran; Paige Bailey-Gayle; Keira Barry; Araya Dennis; Demi Lambourne; Natalia Negri; Chloe Arthur; Hayley Nolan; Molly Sharpe; Elise Hughes; Ellie Noble; Joe Tupper (Goalkeeper Coach)
09
10
Crystal Palace’s bold new era has been met with a bright start, as the summer rang in a new Head of Women’s Football, Grace Williams; a new head coach in Laura Kaminski; a new home ground in Sutton; and a new captain in Aimee Everett. At the risk of inducing the programme writer’s curse, therefore, if there’s one thing we can expect from today’s match, it is entertainment. The Eagles are comfortably the top scorers in the Women’s Championship, scoring 31 goals in just nine league games – a total 14 clear of the next-best scorers: today’s opponents at Selhurst Park. They have also enjoyed the division’s best home form, unbeaten – and scoring 19 times – in four matches in south London. In Sutton, Palace recorded their biggest-ever
THIS season pos
pts
3
20
rd
Top Scorer Elise Hughes (9) Most assists Fliss Gibbons (4)
eagles
crystal palace women victory in September – a 9-1 win over Durham – and also put six past London City Lionesses. Forward players have enjoyed remarkable form, with Annabel Blanchard winning Championship Player of the Month after back-toback home hat-tricks and Wales international Elise Hughes netting ten in ten in all competitions. A first defeat of the season against Charlton last month has swiftly been answered with back-toback wins meaning Palace sit third, one point off the Championship summit with a game in hand. Kaminski has preached the need for her players not to look too far forward, and all within her camp remain focused and grounded – but the Eagles have given supporters every reason to be characteristically vociferous, at Selhurst Park today.
head coach laura kaminski Awarded Championship Manager of the Month after a flying start to her Palace tenure, head coach Kaminski’s impressive coaching career spans over 15 years, including five at the Football Association, where she led England U19s. She also spent three seasons as assistant at Tottenham, whom she helped gain promotion to the top-flight for the very first time. crystal palace
11
Starting xi
3-2 PALACE √ LEWES SUN 12 NOV / VBS COMMUNITY STADIUM
12
08
09
14
21
04
24
15
06
20
30
subs
30
D. Lambourne
13
N. Negri
20
P. Doran
02
A. Johnson
06
A. Everett
03
F. Gibbons
15
H. Nolan
07
I. Sibley
12
L. Cataldo
17
A. Potter
24
S. Hopcroft
05
A. FilbeY
04
C. Arthur
11
K. Reilly
21
S. GuyatT
12
A. Dennis
14
P. Bailey-Gayle
09
E. Hughes
08
M. Sharpe
goal cards
subs
pos res
oppo
Recent matches
BOOT IN BOTH CAMPS Rianna Dean -
Former England U21s forward Dean arrived at Palace in July 2022, but injury prevented her from debuting until February. She joined Southampton in the summer and has scored twice in six league games.
1-1
6-1
3-2
0-3
3-2
N/A
4
4
4
3RD
th
th
Captain - Aimee Everett Everett joined from Leicester in summer 2021 and was named Palace’s Player of the Season in her first year. She is comfortable playing in either defence or midfield, and recently made her 50th Palace appearance in the 3-0 win over Watford.
crystal palace
th
12
30 01 13 Fran Kitching
Demi Lambourne
Natalia Negri
pos
goalkeeper
pos
goalkeeper
nat
england
nat
england
age
25
age
19
02 06 Annabel Johnson
goalkeeper england age
27
23/24 apps/ clean sheets
3/1
joined
2023
from
pos
defender
nat age
Aimee Everett pos
defender
england
nat
ENGLAND
30
age
22
03
Loan signing Lambourne helped Leicester go from the Championship to the Super League in 2021. She won Players’ Player of the Season the following year as the Foxes stayed in the top-flight.
fliss gibbons pos
defender
nat
ENGLAND
age
29
Gibbons’ long career in football saw her win Brighton’s Player of the Year award as they were promoted in 2015. The former England youth international sits second in the Championship assists table (four).
crystal palace
13
15 11
Kirsten Reilly pos
midfielder
nat
scotland
age
28
Back in English football for a second spell after returning to Scotland to play for Rangers, midfielder Reilly is in her second season with Palace and recently won the cinch Player of the Month award for September.
07 12
Hayley Nolan
Isabella Sibley
DEFENDER Republic of Ireland age
26
23/24 apps/ goals
10/1
joined
2023
from Republic of Ireland international Nolan grew up playing Gaelic football alongside her burgeoning football career. She scored in Palace’s 9-1 victory against Durham in September and has won three caps for her country.
Lia Cataldo
pos
defender
pos
defender
nat age
ENGLAND
nat
england
24
age
22
pos
DEFENDER
pos
midfielder
nat
Australia
nat
scotland
age
22
age
28
20 04 polly doran
Chloe Arthur
crystal palace
08
14
Molly Sharpe pos
forward
nat
england
age
25
21
Sharpe moved to the United States early in her career, combining studies in Miami with a growing footballing reputation. She returned to England via Durham, before joining Palace in summer 2021.
05 16 Anna Filbey
Shauna Guyatt
Ellie Noble
pos
MIDFIELDER
nat age
MIDFIELDER
pos
MIDFIELDER
wales
nat
england
24
age
24
17 24 Alexia Potter
Shanade Hopcroft
pos
MIDFIELDER
pos
midfielder
nat
england
nat
england
age
17
age
26
crystal palace
england age
18
23/24 apps/ goals
10/1
joined
2022
from A childhood Palace fan, Guyatt’s career has taken off in south London, earning her international recognition and the captaincy at youth level with England. She joined from Chelsea’s academy in 2022.
15
14 19 09 Paige Bailey-Gayle
Keira Barry
pos
forward
pos
FORWARD
nat
jamaica
nat
england
age
22
age
18
22 25 Araya Dennis
Lucy Watson
pos
FORWARD
nat age
FORWARD
pos
FORWARD
england
nat
england
17
age
20
10
Elise Hughes
Annabel Blanchard pos
FORWARD
nat
england
age
22
A double award-winner with Championship Player and Goal of the Month for September, also scoring consecutive home hat-tricks, Blanchard’s form has been nothing short of sensational this season.
crystal palace
wales age
22
23/24 apps/ goals
10/10
joined
2022
from Wales international Hughes has been unstoppable up-front for Palace this season, scoring four times against Durham and taking her tally to double figures with a recent brace against Watford.
16
southampton Southampton Women ushered in a new era in the summer of 2022, winning promotion to the Barclays Women’s Championship for the first time after defeating Wolves in the National League Play-off final. Led by Marieanne Spacey-Cale MBE, the Saints entered English football’s second-tier and performed admirably last season, finishing sixth in the table. Smart recruitment over the summer and a decent start to this season, with six wins from their first 10 games, have only added to the sense of a red and white revolution. Southampton’s roots can be traced back to Saints Girls & Ladies, a local club affiliated with the men’s team in 1995 and absorbed in 2001, but whose funding was withdrawn after Southampton men were relegated from the top-flight for the
THIS season pos
pts
4th
18 Top Scorer
S. Pharoah (4) Most assists L. Kendall / M. Pike / K. Wilkinson (2)
saints
17
first time in 27 years in 2005. Recognising the need for a professional women’s team in the region, Southampton formed academy sides in 2016 and, a year later, a senior team. In March 2018, the Saints applied to leap from local leagues to the Championship, but West Ham and Manchester United were chosen ahead of them. That summer, English football legend Spacey-Cale was appointed to spearhead their charge, duly delivering a flawless league record and a domestic double in her first season at the helm. Progress delayed further by the pandemic, it was not until 2021 that Southampton entered the National League – but glory in the play-offs two seasons ago, and further on-field progress since, suggest the Saints will only continue to march on.
Manager Marieanne Spacey-Cale Inducted into the English Football Hall of the Fame in 2009, Spacey-Cale won numerous trophies as a player, including a domestic treble with Fulham. She was England’s assistant manager as the Lionesses finished third at the 2015 FIFA World Cup, and won all 18 league games, and a domestic double, in her first season in charge of the Saints (2018/19). southampton
Crystal Palace Women have made an excellent start to their 2023/24 campaign. Catch up with the season so far in our comprehensive Stat Zone... Home fixture Away fixture Cup fixture (Crystal Palace score shown first)
fixtures & results
individual stats
AUGUST Sun 27
Name Reading
D 1-1
SEPTEMBER
Apps
Goals
Chloe ARTHUR
7
0
Sun 3
Birmingham City
W 2-1
Paige BAILEY-GAYLE
7
0
Sun 10
Durham
W 9-1
Sun 17
Sunderland
D 1-1
Keira BARRY
0
0
Annabel BLANCHARD
8
7
Blackburn Rovers
W 4-0
Lia CATALDO
5
0
OCTOBER Sun 8
Wed 11 Lewes
D 1-1
Sun 15
London City Lionesses
W 6-1
Sun 22
Charlton Athletic
L 2-3
NOVEMBER Sun 5
Watford
W 3-0
Sun 12
Lewes
W 3-2
Sun 19
Southampton
Wed 22 Watford
Araya DENNIS
8
2
Polly DORAN
8
1
Aimee EVERETT
9
1
Anna FILBEY
10
1
Fliss GIBBONS
6
0
Lexi Potter scored her first professional goal as Palace Women defeated Lewes 3-2 in their last outing.
Shauna GUYATT
10
1
Shanade HOPCROFT
10
3
Elise HUGHES
10
10
pos CLUB P W D
L
F
Annabel JOHNSON
2
0
1
CHA
10 6
3
1
14 7
7 21
Fran KITCHING
0
0
2
SUN
10 6
3
1
12 5
7 21
FEBRUARY
Demi LAMBOURNE
3
0
3
CRY
9
6
2
1
31 10 21 20
Sun 4
Southampton
8
0
4
SOU
10 6
0
4 17 11
6 18
Sun 18
Natalia NEGRI
Blackburn Rovers
Ellie NOBLE
0
0
5
BIR
10 5
2
3 17 9
8 17
6
BLA
10 5
0
5
7
DUR
10 4
2
4 10 17 -7 14
8
LON
10 3
2
5 10 16 -6 11
9
SHU
9
1
5 10 13 -3 10
DECEMBER Sun 17
Reading
JANUARY Sun 21
London City Lionesses
Wed 24 London City Lionesses Sun 28
Charlton Athletic
MARCH
league table
A GD Pts
8 13 -5 15
Sun 3
Birmingham City
Hayley NOLAN
10
1
Sun 17
Sheffield United
Sun 24
Watford
Lexi POTTER
5
1
Sun 31
Durham
Kirsten REILLY
9
0
Molly SHARPE
10
4
10 REA
10 2
4
4
Isabella SIBLEY
1
0
11
WAT
10
1
2
7 10 21 -11 5
Lucy WATSON
3
0
12 LEW
10
1
1
8
APRIL Sun 21
Lewes
Sun 28
Sunderland
TBC
Sheffield United
fixtures, results & stats
3
9 14 -5 9
5 17 -12 4
19
Crystal palace f.c. Fran KITCHING (GK) Annabel JOHNSON Fliss GIBBONS Chloe ARTHUR Anna FILBEY Aimee EVERETT Isabella SIBLEY Molly SHARPE Elise HUGHES Annabel BLANCHARD Kirsten REILLY Lia CATALDO Natalia NEGRI (GK) Paige BAILEY-GAYLE Hayley NOLAN Ellie NOBLE Lexi POTTER Keira BARRY Polly DORAN Shauna GUYATT Araya DENNIS Shanade HOPCROFT Lucy WATSON Demi LAMBOURNE (GK) Annis-Clara WRIGHT (GK)
southampton women 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 24 25 30 31
J. Busby J. Kings K. Allen F. Eade
1
Kayla RENDELL(GK)
2
Ella MORRIS
3
Milly MOTT
4
Lucia KENDALL
5
Rosie PARNELL
6
Laura RAFFERTY
7
Lexi LLOYD-SMITH
8
Chloe PEPLOW
9
Katie WILKINSON
10
Rianna DEAN
11
Megan WYNNE
12
Sophia PHAROAH
14
Molly PIKE
16
Emma THOMPSON
17
Emily KRAFT
18
Izzy MILNE
19
Alice GRIFFITHS
20
Atlanta PRIMUS
21
Jemma PURFIELD
22
Beth HOWARD (GK)
23
Megan COLLETT
24
Paige PEAKE