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Football

Women’s FA Cup: Crystal Palace 5-1 Watford

A free-scoring Crystal Palace team eliminated Watford Women in the third round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup, handing the Hornets only their second away defeat of the season.

After an equal start at Hayes Lane, Hollie Olding put the Eagles ahead, with Annabel Blanchard scoring the first of a brace 10 minutes later. Damon Lathrope’s team faced a mountain to climb in the second half after a third goal in first-half extra time, with Polly Doran’s fourth compounding problems.

Despite the fact that Jade Bradley scored her first goal for Watford, Elise Hughes capped a comfortable victory for Palace with 20 minutes remaining.

Second-tier Palace applied early pressure to the Hornets backline and took control of the game, forcing a save from goalkeeper Georgie Ferguson, but the Golden Girls matched their tenacity and threatened on the counter-attack.

Olding’s goal came from distance, catching Ferguson off guard and kicking off a period of dominance for the hosts. Blanchard immediately burst through and had another shot stopped by Ferguson, only for the forward to knock home the rebound.

In the first half, Gemma Davison came closest for the visitors, blasting a shot that was headed for the bottom corner before being blocked.

Anne Meiwald sped past four Crystal Palace players on an incredible run across the middle of the pitch, only to be fouled just outside the 18-yard box. Davison’s rebound was saved after the free kick hit the wall.

Watford became more involved in the game, with Annie Rossiter stinging Natalia Negri’s hands with a vicious strike.

Blanchard’s second in overtime extended the Eagles’ lead even further, and a turnover allowed Doran the opportunity to make it four, leaving the Hornets with little hope of mounting a comeback.

Bradley did equalise soon after entering the game, receiving a deflected cross from Bianca Baptiste and slamming into the bottom corner for her maiden goal in yellow.

The replacements prospered, with wingers Baptiste and Adekite Fatuga-Dada having chances to cut the margin further. The latter also set up Alli Palisch for a chance on goal, but her effort went over the crossbar.

Hughes put the icing on the cake from close range, condemning the Golden Girls to defeat, but their drive and attempts persisted far into stoppage time.

Kajal S

Kajal S

kajal

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