From the Bristol City website:
📝 REPORT: CRYSTAL PALACE WOMEN 0-0 BRISTOL CITY WOMEN (4-5 ON PENALTIES)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15TH 2021
City booked their place in the last eight of the FA Women's Continental League Cup with a penalty shoot-out victory over Crystal Palace in Bromley.
The Robins topped their group after a goalless 90 minutes and then a 5-4 win from the spot to go into the quarter-finals.
It was a dramatic end to a match that had seen 16-year-old goalkeeper Erin Foley make her debut as an eighth-minute replacement for the injured Fran Bentley.
Match Report sponsor: University of the West of England
Pictures by Lockie_photo_
THE BACKGROUND
City went into the final pool game needing a point to progress to the quarter-finals.
These two sides faced each other in the first round of fixtures of the FA Championship at the end of August where the Eagles walked away with all three points after a 4-3 home win.
The Robins come into this game unbeaten in their last seven, winning their last match 5-0 against Lewes Women at the Robins High Performance Centre.
With three games in eight days, Head Coach Lauren Smith used her squad resources, including first competitive starts for Academy products, teenagers Lilly Greenslade and Maddi Wilde.
WHAT HAPPENED
It was a very quick start from the hosts, having their first shot of the game inside the opening 30 seconds but the shot was just wide of the post and failed to test Fran Bentley in the City goal.
Mel Johnson came close minutes later after she was played through by Aimee Palmer, her shot was just wide of the goal.
Just before the five-minute mark, there was a stoppage in play as a shot from Farrow led to Bentley colliding into the post. This led to an early change as Foley came on to make her debut as she replaced the injured goalkeeper in the City net. Bentley walked off the pitch but took no further part in the game.
Foley was thrown straight into the action as she had to save a shot from just inside the box. She was there to confidently catch the ball and end the attack from the Eagles.
In the 25th minute Brooke Aspin was there to clear an almost certain goal as the hosts looked dangerous in the Robins’ box.
As the half hour mark approached first time starter, Maddi Wilde, won her side a corner but Palace were there to clear the danger.
Simran Jhamat tried a shot from range minutes later but Morgan, in the home net, was there to comfortably collect.
Foley showed she had no nerves during her debut as she punched a corner clear late on in the first half.
Five minutes before the halftime whistle Johnson came close to an opener but her half volley was palmed clear by Morgan.
The City captain, Aimee Palmer, made way in the 41st minute for Ava Kuyken. Ella Powell stepped in as captain.
With moments left in the first half, Izzy Cook had an attempt at goal from just outside the box after a great piece of play starting in the Robins box. The shot failed to threaten the hosts’ goal with the ball over and out for a goal kick.
City came inches away from opening the scoring in the 53rd minute as Kuyken played a delightful diagonal ball to Wilde who then laid it off to Johnson, her shot was just above the bar and onto the roof of the net.
Minutes later Greenslade came close to scoring on her first start but her fierce shot was parried away by home sides the goalkeeper.
Jhamat tried one from just outside the area at the hour mark but her shot failed to hit the target.
Johnson had a great chance to put her side 1-0 up but her shot from close range was saved by Morgan.
In the 66th minute Jhamat had an excellent chance to put her side in front when she was played through on goal, her shot was saved by Morgan but it fell straight to Johnson. The City attacker couldn’t find the net as her attempt was blocked.
With ten minutes to play City hit the bar from a deflected shot, the ball went out for a corner but came of nothing.
In the closing stages Greenslade was played through on goal but the Palace keeper was quick off her line to collect.
City goalkeeper, Erin Foley, continued her excellent debut with a great save to stop the Eagles striker, Baptise, slotting in a late winner for the home team.
With a draw after 90 minutes the game went to penalties and Morgan, Kuyken, Bull, Jhamat and Johnson saw City home.
THE TEAM
City: Bentley (Foley 8), Cataldo, Layzell, Aspin, Powell, Palmer (C) (Kuyken 41), Jhamat, Johnson, Wilde, C.Cook, Greenslade. Subs: C.Bull, Collis, Morgan, Woolley.
🎥 HEAR FROM LAUREN SMITH
🎥 ERIN FOLEY ON HER DEBUT
UP NEXT
City Women’s next game is a trip to the Capital as they face London City Lionesses at Princes Park in the FA Championship on Sunday, December 19th (2pm).
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