it’s matchday
Welcome back to the VBS Community Stadium in Sutton, where Crystal Palace Women take on Newcastle United in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2!
It’s been an exciting start to the 2025/26 league campaign, with plenty of goals and late drama.
With the game starting at 14:00 BST, why not visit our Fanzone to soak in the atmosphere in the build-up to kick-off?
Situated just beyond the Collingwood Road Stand at the far side of the stadium, the Fanzone will open at 12:30 BST (90 minutes before kick-off).
There will be live music from DJ SRae, free facepainting and maybe even an appearance from mascots Pete and Alice!
As part of the ‘Alcohol in the Bowl’ trial, fans can also enjoy an alcoholic beverage in their seat and watch the match unfold.
As always, get behind the team–and be loud, be proud...be Palace!
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Scan here to view a full matchday supporters’ guide.
jopotter
Welcome to what promises to be a fantastic occasion here at home, as we welcome Newcastle United to the VBS. I want to start, by extending my sincere thanks to every single one of you who has turned up today.
The commitment you show, turning out week after week, is never lost on the players or the staff, and your energy is crucial to our home performances. The noise you provide makes a real difference on the pitch, and we’re relying on that passion once again today.
Our last home game in the league was a 4-4 draw against Southampton, followed by a brilliant 2-1 victory away at Forest. We were unfortunate to not pick up a result against London City Lionesses in the cup and it was a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Durham last weekend. It’s been a demanding start to the season, showcasing the relentless nature of this league, but more importantly, it has highlighted the immense character and adaptability within this Palace squad.
That 4-4 draw against Southampton was certainly entertaining and showed the very best of our attacking potential. Scoring four goals at home against a top side speaks volumes about the dynamic, relentless football we are striving to play.
Following that game, we needed to show our winning
mentality, and the response against Forest was exactly what I asked for. Going away from home in this league is never easy, but the players showed real grit and determination to earn the 2-1 victory. That win was crucial. It wasn’t just three points on the board; it was validation for all the grafting and tactical work we have done.
We then faced London City Lionesses in the League Cup, and whilst we didn’t get the result we wanted, I thought we more than matched a high-quality WSL side.
Most recently, the trip to Durham provided a different kind of challenge, one that tested our mental resilience right until the final whistle. While we were aiming for all three points, walking away with a point after being behind demonstrates real character.
And what a moment it was, seeing Elise Hughes pop up with that crucial last-minute equaliser. That moment wasn't luck; it was the reward for persistence. It showed me that even when things aren't flowing as smoothly as we'd like, we keep pushing, we keep believing, and we keep fighting for every single ball until the referee blows the whistle.
That ability to salvage a point from the brink is invaluable over the course of a long season, and it’s a real hallmark of a team that won't roll over. Now, we turn our focus to Newcastle United. They are a strong, ambitious team who like us, are fighting for promotion.
My message to the squad remains consistent: we must focus on our execution, maintain discipline, and utilise the fantastic forward momentum we’ve generated in attack.
Let’s play with courage, let’s play with intelligence, and let’s make sure we walk off that pitch knowing we’ve given absolutely everything for the badge.
We have analysed their strengths and weaknesses, and the players are ready to implement the game plan we have devised this week.
This is a chance for us to make a statement here at home and to keep climbing up that table. We will need every player, every substitution, and every single voice from the stands.
Enjoy the game and thank you for your phenomenal support.
aimee everett
Dear Palace fans. It’s fantastic to be back here at the VBS Community Stadium as we welcome Newcastle United for what will undoubtedly be a huge test.
the immense pride I’ve felt watching this squad deliver moments of real quality and character has been palpable. Injury has kept me on the sidelines for now, but as captain, my focus has been on maintaining our fantastic momentum and ensuring we carry high standards into every challenge we face.
Our first home game was a rollercoaster, but to score four highquality goals against a strong side like Southampton, particularly here at home, showed exactly what this group is capable of. We left that pitch knowing we had the firepower, which was a huge positive, though it showed there are still parts of our game that we need to work on.
The 2-1 win away at Forest was a step forward. It was a real statement victory, the kind of professional job that proves we aren't just a flashy side, but one that can dig deep, show defensive steel, and get three points on the road. That win was pivotal, as it was the reward for all the hard graft we’ve put in during pre-season and it was proof that things are starting to click.
I was so proud to see their determination pay off in such a crucial league match.
Football always throws up challenges, and we’ve faced them head on recently. While we were disappointed with the 2-1 loss to London City Lionesses in the League Cup, we used that result as motivation. The team responded brilliantly in the next game against Durham. Being a goal down, away from home, and facing an opponent who makes every game a physical battle, it would have been easy for heads to drop. But not this Palace team.
They kept pushing, kept probing, and never once gave up. That feeling when Elise Hughes scored that last-minute equaliser was amazing. While we always strive for three points, that resilience and ability to salvage something shows a winning mentality that will be vital as the season progresses.
Now, my focus is entirely on the challenge ahead. My job is to be the loudest voice in the dressing room, ensuring that team morale remains sky-high and that we are mentally prepared for the magnitude of today’s
fixture. Newcastle United are a serious opponent with quality and ambition, and they will come here ready to try and disrupt our flow. We cannot afford to be complacent for a second.
We need to bring the attacking flair of the Southampton match, the professional determination of the Forest win, and the never-say-die spirit that earned us the draw at Durham. And crucially, we need you.
We need this stadium to be a fortress. Your support is our twelfth player, and when that atmosphere is bouncing, we feel unstoppable. Let’s make some noise, let’s show Newcastle what it means to play at Sutton, and let’s fight for those three points together.
Thank you for your unwavering belief. We’ll leave everything on the pitch for you.
last time out
An injury-time goal from Elise Hughes rescued a point for Crystal Palace Women, as they drew 1-1 away at Durham in the Barclays Women's Super League 2.
Very little separated the two sides throughout the game, but Beth Hepple's header from a free-kick on 79 minutes put the hosts in front. It looked for all the world that Palace would leave empty-handed, but Elise Hughes popped up at the back post with a late equaliser to rescue a point in Durham.
The Wales international's delight was clear; it was the first Palace goal she had scored since suffering her ACL injury in April 2024. The game also marked MollyMae Sharpe's 100th appearance for Palace, making her the first player in the history of the Women's team to reach 100 competitive appearances in the professional era.
It was a performance to match the occasion as well, as Sharpe put the cross in that was eventually turned home by Hughes. Palace were on top for most of the first-half, with Durham goalkeeper Catriona Sheppard making a stunning stop to deny Justine Vanhaevermaet on the 21st minute.
Sheppard was also on hand to deny Abbie Larkin on 32 minutes and Sharpe two minutes later, as Palace went into the break still searching for the opener. The Eagles had the ball in the net just minutes after the restart, but the flag was already up as the team began to celebrate.
Vanhaevermaet managed to steer a header goalwards on 51 minutes, but she was denied again, this time by the post. Chances were few and far between until the 79th minute, where Hepple nodded home from a free-kick to put Durham 1-0 up.
The Wildcats looked set to claim all three points, with every Palace attack being repelled right up until the sixth minute of extra-time. Sharpe got the ball high up the field and managed to turn and fire a decent cross into the box.
Vanhaevermaet got the faintest of touches to steer it to the back post, and there was Hughes to tap the ball in and make it 1-1 with the last kick of the game.
newcastle united
langley at the wheel
Manager Becky Langley has been instrumental in Newcastle United Women's rise since 2019. She guided the Magpies to back-toback promotions, securing the FA Women's National League Division One North in 2022/23 and the Northern Premier Division title in 2023/24. Beyond their league success, Langley has also played a key role in the team becoming a fulltime professional outfit in 2023.
Familiar Faces in Black and White
Two former Eagles now turn out for the Magpies, with both Jorja Fox and Lia Cataldo now playing their football in the North East. Injury prevented her from making an appearance in red and blue, but Fox joined Palace on loan from Chelsea in August 2024, ahead of the club’s first season in the WSL. Cataldo signed for Palace in July 2023 from Bristol City and made eight appearances, before joining Newcastle in January 2024.
Title-winner on Tyneside
One of the major WSL2 headlines in the summer was the arrival of Lioness Jordan Nobbs to Newcastle United. It was seen as a major coup for the Magpies, with the
32-year-old bringing an abundance of title-winning and international experience. Capped 71 times by England, Nobbs was a part of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, as well as the 2023 team that finished runners-up in Australia.
a record-setting rivalry
The passionate backing of Newcastle United fans is legendary, and they have repeatedly shattered attendance records in women's football. Their early milestone saw 28,565 fans support the team in a 2022 FA Cup clash against Burnley. However, after promotion, their support reached a new height: an astonishing 38,502 supporters attended the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland at St James' Park in March, setting a breathtaking new record for the second tier.
Jordan Nobbs is the obvious choice for Newcastle United. The goalscoring midfielder won 12 domestic trophies with Arsenal, including three WSL titles and four FA Cups. She currently holds the record for the most appearances in the WSL, with 210, and the record for the most seasons appeared in with 15. As one of the most decorated players in English women’s football, Nobbs is certainly a player to keep an eye on.
“We're in a little bit of a rut and we've got to keep working through it together. I'm sure the group will stick together with it. I think the girls knew they performed well today and that's where the disappointment stings even further.”
Becky Langley
HOW THE EAGLES SOAR.
Crystal palace f.c.
Jemma
Elysia
Shania
Molly
Freya
Deanna
Claudia
