Wasps Ladies perform own giant-killing against Crystal Palace
Crawley Wasps Ladies in action against Chichester 6th November 2011
CRAWLEY Wasps Ladies showed they can match anything the mighty Crawley Town can do by dumping Crystal Palace out of the Women’s FA Cup.
The Pease Pottage based amateur side reached the First Round proper for the first time in their history by beating the semi-professional Eagles 2-1 at the National Sports Centre.
The achievement was all the more remarkable as Wasps lost two of their key players through injury in the first 20 minutes.
One of them, Nicholle Smith, had scored in the opening two minutes. Palace equalised after just 15 minutes but Wasps added a second goal in the second half scored by Matilda Hallgren.
Palace ply their trade two division above the Crawley club in the South East Combination League while Wasps are in the more humble London & South East Regional League.
Delighted Wasps’ manager Paul Harding had hired a minibus to take them to Crystal Palace in style.
He said: “I’m thrilled to bits. We were nervous on the way up, but travelling together helped. Our game plan went out the window when two of our young stars had to come off.
“Palace were very good on the ball and at times we were chasing shadows.
“The longer it went on, we gradually grew more and more confident. Matilda Hallgren scored a cracking goal on 60 minutes to put us 2-1 up. We played with a great fighting spirit and were hanging on a bit at the end. This was one of my proudest days.”
Wasps have drawn another semi-pro’ club, Ipswich Town, at home on Sunday, December 11, at Finches Field, kick-off 1pm.
Harding added: “We are well satisfied as it gives our players a chance to play another quality side from another part of the country. Bring on the Tractor Ladies!”
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Weather for Crawley
Sunday 27 May 2012
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