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Crystal Palace 1, London City Lionesses 2.
- samwraight
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
London City Lionesses got the job done in their opening Subway Women’s League Cup fixture, beating Crystal Palace 2-1.
Wednesday 24th September | VBS Community Stadium
Goals courtesy of Sanni Franssi and Nikita Parris secured a 2-1 win at the VBS Community Stadium in the Subway Women’s League Cup on a chilly Wednesday evening.
It was a slow start for the travelling side, as Ashleigh Warden put the hosts 1-0 up after 11 minutes of play, looping an effort from out wide into the net.
The Eagles almost doubled their lead five minutes later, with Emily Orman having to deny a powerful long-range strike from Elise Hughes.
The first half was quiet, with both sides struggling to find any rhythm and few chances for either side aside from the opener.
But Jocelyn Prêcheur’s half time team talk worked wonders, with Sanni Franssi drawing London City level within a minute of the second half. Grace Geyoro tried her luck from the edge of the box, and the ball rebounded off the post for Sanni Franssi to simply tuck home.
With fresh legs introduced, London City began to turn the screw in the final half hour. Substitute Nikita Parris went close with a vicious low strike that skimmed the post, a warning sign for the hosts.
Moments later, Gesa Marashi rattled the crossbar with a thunderous long-range effort, unlucky not to score.
The breakthrough came in the 78th minute. Sofia Jakobsson surged down the right wing and delivered a cross towards Franssi. The Finland international cleverly let the ball run through to Parris, who took a touch before coolly dispatching into an empty net.
There was no let-off for Palace either, with Elena Linari coming inches away from scoring from a corner in the 83rd minute, only to be denied by the crossbar.
It was a nervy finish at the VBS Stadium, as London City survived some late scares as the home side threw caution to the wind in the final stages.
There were two goalline clearances – in the 88th and 94th minutes – but London City stood firm to earn three points in the group stages of the Subway Women’s League Cup.
Jocelyn Prêcheur thought the result is an important step in the right direction: “It’s always a good opportunity for us to practice, keep improving and build our game. It’s really important for us to take this opportunity
“We played a very good team in Crystal Palace, in perfect condition.
“We need to be more conquering; we were too shy in the first half. We need to impose our rhythm and increase the speed of the ball.
“In the second half, it was so much better in terms of intensity.
“Palace made a good game, we expected a good game. I want to congratulate them as they made it very tough.
“All of the players who came in really made a difference, it’s good in terms of dynamic and for building a team. We will need everyone this season.
“Every time you win it gives you confidence, energy and encouragement, so the win was important tonight.”
This is London City’s second win in a row after the club got off the mark in the WSL last Friday, beating Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park.
Next up, we travel up north for our third away day in ten days, looking to make it three wins from three against Manchester City.
Teamsheet: Orman, Jakobsson, Franssi, Roddar, Lindström (Corrales 45’), Zelem (Pérez 57’), Brown, Imuran (Parris 57’), Sangaré (Linari 64’), Kennedy, Geyoro (Marashi 57’).