Crystal Palace star Ciara Sherwood insists Selhurst Park will be treated to an entertaining clash when the Eagles host her former club and local rivals Charlton Athletic in the SSE Women’s FA Cup this weekend.
Palace face FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division rivals Charlton Athletic in the first round on Sunday 4 December, with the match taking place at the iconic south London stadium.
Midfielder Sherwood, 24, started her career at Charlton, but there will be no lasting loyalties to the Addicks once the first whistle goes.
Crystal Palace v Charlton
SSE Women's FA Cup
First Round
1pm, Sunday 4 December 2016
Selhurst Park
Winning club will receive £800 from The FA
The Northern Ireland international will miss the match after damaging her ankle ligaments against West Ham six weeks ago, a knock which will rule her out until January.
Palace are sixth in the league and came from 3-0 down to snatch a draw against the Addicks in September.
Charlton pegged the Eagles back from 2-0 down in the reverse fixture the following month and sit second on 23 points, two behind leaders Tottenham.
Sherwood bagged a goal in the latter match, and she is predicting more excitement this time around.
“I loved my time at Charlton – they taught me how to play football,” said Sherwood, who moved to Palace from another south London outfit, Millwall Lionesses, in August.
“I still celebrated when I scored against Charlton in the league earlier this season though! The first game we came back from 3-0 down and the second time they came back from 2-0 down, so it’s all the play for really.
“It should be eventful for the fans, but we’re just concentrating on winning.
Sherwood in action during her time at Millwall
“No one is going into the game with a bad mentality – the mood in the camp is really positive.
“I have been really impressed with the club after coming in from Millwall. The team spirit is really great, and I think it’s going to be an interesting game.”
This will be Palace Ladies’ first match at Selhurst Park this season, their regular home being nearby Hayes Lane, home of Bromley FC.
Palace Ladies chairman Richard Spokes said: “We are so proud to be a part of the Crystal Palace FC family and delighted that this ever-developing relationship has enabled us to play, once against Selhurst Park.
“Whilst this is a reflection of the faith and belief that the club has in the Ladies, we do appreciate the amount of hard work and effort that everyone at Crystal Palace has put in, to make this happen.
“The match is sure to be a close affair, with two previous league matches against Charlton this season ending in goal filled draws.
“We would encourage everyone to come along, whether a regular or first-time spectator at a women's game."
