Crystal Palace Women were eliminated from the Women's National League League Cup after a 4-1 defeat to Dartford Women on Wednesday, 26 August. The match at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park saw the hosts score three times in the final half-hour to secure a convincing victory.
The game turned decisively in the second half. Substitute Lelia Awan proved the difference for Dartford, scoring twice in seven minutes. Her first came in the 60th minute, followed by a sublime volley in the 67th. "Scoring two in the second half after coming on, including a sublime volley, was a great feeling," Awan said afterwards.
The contest remained in the balance until the final moments. With Dartford leading 2-1, Crystal Palace Women were awarded a penalty, offering a chance to level the score. Dartford goalkeeper Jade Charlton produced a vital stop to preserve her team's lead. "Saved a penalty at 2-1 up, which was a big moment for us," Charlton noted. That save proved a turning point, as Dartford added two more goals late on. Shauni Griffiths scored in the 79th minute and Rochelle Mayne netted in the 90th to complete the 4-1 scoreline. Crystal Palace's sole goal was credited as a PGA, likely an own goal or a misattribution.
This cup exit adds to a challenging period for the team. The team's recent form is listed as LL. In those opening league fixtures, Crystal Palace Women have scored just one goal while conceding six, giving them a goal difference of -5. They currently sit six points behind leaders Manchester City in the title race.
The competition involves a league group stage with four teams. The top 32 teams across the entire competition advance to the knockout rounds. This defeat means Crystal Palace Women will not be among those progressing. Dartford Women, the women's side of Dartford Football Club, successfully handled this early hurdle against their Championship opponents.
The focus now shifts entirely to the league campaign, where improving results is the immediate priority. The squad will need to address defensive issues, having conceded six goals in two league games before this cup defeat. Managerial staff will be analysing the stats to identify areas for improvement ahead of the next match. The team's next fixture is a key opportunity to stop the slide and secure their first points of the season.
