Crystal Palace come on strong to take points at Lewes

After a goalless opening 45 minutes at the Dripping Pan, the clinical attacker twice expertly finished past Tatiana Saunders to deny the home side a share of the spoils.The visitors started on the front foot, with Kate Natkiel forcing Saunders into a save before the home stopper then quelled the threat of Baptiste ahead of the ten-minute mark.

Lewes gradually worked their way into the contest and Ellie Leek enjoyed a sight of goal but could only slice her shot, allowing Palace to clear comfortably.

The two sides continued to trade half-chances with Baptiste shooting wide and a Hannah Griffin cross causing the away defence problems, while Coral-Jade Haines fired a free-kick attempt over the crossbar in the 28th minute.Samantha Quayle rose well to head away a dangerous Crystal Palace ball and Paula Howells then spurned two opportunities to put Lewes in front late on in the first half, leaving the scoreline blank at the break.

Half-time introduction Emily Donovan made an instant impact on the game, skipping past a Crystal Palace defender and feeding Howells, whose shot was well stopped by Chloe Morgan.

Howells and Baptiste continued to look the most likely to break the deadlock for their respective sides, and indeed it was the latter who claimed the afternoon’s first goal with a sumptuous chip over Saunders in the 62nd minute.

The Rooks refused to lie down despite going behind and Megan Mackey dragged a shot wide, but their deficit was soon doubled as Baptiste notched her second goal of the game to give Palace a 2-0 lead with ten minutes to play.

Danielle Lane sent a last-gasp effort over the bar in the match’s dying moments, but Palace held firm to secure a valuable away win.

Lewes (4-4-2):Tatiana Saunders, Samantha Quayle, Ellie Hack, Nicola Cousins, Sophie O'Rourke, Danielle Lane, Ellie Leek, Megan Mackey, Paula Howells, Hannah Griffin, Simran Jhamat

Substitutes: Emily Donovan for Griffin 46’, Ellie Noble for Leek 76’, Charley Boswell for Mackey 76’, Emma Jones for Jhamat 83’, Lucy Porter for Howells 83’. Substitutes not used:Laura Hartley, Rhian Cleverley, Filippa Savva

Attendance: 327

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