A heroic comeback from Crystal Palace, sees them climb from 3 goals behind, to then win the Thorpe Park Under 14s Girls County Cup on penalties.

The beginning of the game saw Richmond settling quickly with a lot of the time on the ball, whilst Crystal Palace were unable to pull a string of passes together. After an outstanding 25-yard lob from Richmond’s Mia Nandra, they went 1 goal ahead inside 10 minutes.

In the 14th minute of the game Palace’s Princess Akanbi played a great 1-2 with a teammate before a fantastic run into the box but was unable to find anyone to convert the chance. This was the first promising move Palace had in the game, although Richmond were continuing to be very direct and aggressive on the ball.

Shortly after the 30-minute mark, Richmond doubled their lead with a goal scored by Anya Lambert. After winning the ball back in the air, Richmond moved the ball forward with a quick succession of passes. After turning the defender, the goal-scorer slotted the ball in the bottom left corner of the goal, which the Palace keeper struggled to keep out.

With Palace finding it difficult to create any chances, Richmond maintained their momentum and forced a 3rd goal before the halftime whistle. Palace tried to play the ball from the back which suddenly saw the opposing players apply a lot of pressure. Richmond were successful in doing so and won the ball back in the box. After a quick passing movement from their forwards, Jess Lewis found the back of the net and went into halftime leading 3-0.

After what must had been an important and inspiring team-talk at halftime, Crystal Place started the 2nd half on the front foot and looked determined to get back into the game. Chances for the losing team were beginning to come with players combining much better.

Palace, deservedly, managed to get a goal back in the 49th minute of the game. Following a great through ball made from the halfway line, Palace’s Ruhona Mundle used her pace, picked the ball up, and finished the ball in the bottom corner of the net.

Palace continued their comeback and scored again, just 10 minutes after their first goal. After forcing the first corner of the match, Palace would keep the pressure on the Richmond goal. Following 3 corners in succession, Richmond couldn’t clear the ball from the box, which saw Palace’s Princess Akanbi head the ball past the keeper to make the score 3-2.

Unfortunately for Richmond, their struggles defending corners continued and conceded another goal, which saw Crystal Palace complete their amazing comeback. A corner taken in the 69th minute of the game led to an intense scramble in the box however, Palace’s Akanbi was quick to react and score her 2nd of the game. With score now being 3-3 and not long left of the game, each team had everything to play for.

Crystal Palace were the closest of the teams with a couple of good chances in injury times but both shots were not enough to challenge the keeper. The full-time whistle came, which meant the Thorpe Park Under 14’s County Cup was going to be decided on penalties.

After 14 penalties, it was Crystal Palace who came out on top winning the shootout 5-4.

POTM: (Richmond Park) Teona Nakeva

Goals: (Richmond) (10) Nandra (30) Lambert (35) Lewis
(Crystal Palace) (49) Mundle (59, 69) Akanbi

Attendance:153