Crystal Palace played to a 1-1 draw with Sunderland at the VBS Community Stadium this afternoon, marking their fourth draw of the season in a hard-fought match.
The first half saw both teams score early, with Sunderland taking the lead in the ninth minute. Katy Watson capitalized on a quick counter-attack, finding the top corner with her shot.
However, Crystal Palace quickly equalized just three minutes later, as Kirsty Howat converted a well-placed through ball from Emma Watson, slotting the ball past Sunderland goalkeeper Grace Moloney in a one-on-one situation.
The Eagles controlled much of the first half, enjoying greater possession and more touches inside the opposition’s box. Despite their dominance, they struggled to convert their chances into clear-cut scoring opportunities. Abbie Larkin, one of Crystal Palace’s most impressive players, came close several times but was unable to find the back of the net.
As the second half unfolded, both teams faced difficulties capitalizing on their chances, with strong defensive performances from each side. Ashleigh Weerden had a promising moment when she sprinted behind the Sunderland defense, but her connection with a teammate in the box fell short.
For Sunderland, substitute Keira Barry made her presence felt after coming on for Eleanor Dale, unleashing a powerful shot from outside the box that narrowly sailed over the bar.
Ultimately, neither team could secure a winning goal, and the match ended with both sides sharing the points in Sutton.
With this result, Crystal Palace sits in eighth place in the Barclays WSL2 table, while Sunderland occupies the fifth position.
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