By Georgia Garnett at VBS Community Stadium
CRYSTAL Palace Women conceded seven goals for the second time this season in a woeful 7-1 loss to West Ham United on Sunday afternoon in WSL action.
Shekiera Martinez netted four, including a first-half hat trick, while Viviane Asseyi and Emma Harries, the latter with two late goals, added to the visitors’ total.
Katie Stengel pulled one back for the Eagles at five goals down as the loss sealed Palace’s relegation from the WSL.
Ria Öling had the first attempt of the game ten minutes in as her header missed wide to the left.
Martinez scored the first goal in the eighteenth minute with a close-range header following a cross from Verena Hanshaw.
Stengel had an opportunity to level six minutes later, but Kinga Szmeik made the save before Stengel’s rebound went wide.
In the 33rd minute, Ashleigh Weerden fired a long-range shot wide right.
Martinez netted her second in the 42nd minute, firing the ball into the top-left corner.
It only took three minutes for Martinez to add a third, as she capitalised on an out-of-goal Shae Yañez.
In the opening minute of the second half, the visitors nearly added a fourth but Riko Ueki’s shot went high and wide.
Asseyi had a chance from close range in the 51st minute, but Yañez was able to divert the shot away.
Just over ten minutes later, Martinez netted her fourth, firing into the bottom-right corner.
Eight minutes later, Asseyi got on the scoresheet, launching a screamer from well outside the box.
Weerden had the chance to get the Eagles on the board with fifteen minutes to go, but Szmeik made another save.
Palace finally pulled one back as Stengel converted a penalty in the 80th minute, following a foul in the penalty area by Ueki.
Stengel’s goal broke a three-game goalless streak for the Eagles, netting the club’s first since the 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.
However, six minutes later, West Ham added to their lead as substitute Harries fired right down the middle.
In the 90th minute, Josie Green had a chance to add a second, but her shot flew just over the crossbar.
Four minutes into added-time, Indiah-PaigeRiley forced Szmiek into a diving save.
In the game’s final moments, Harries netted her second, twisting the knife further into the home faithful’s hearts.
The loss means Palace remained on nine points after 20 games, confirming their return to the Championship after one season in the top flight.
Palace host Leicester City on Sunday, their final home match of the season, at 2pm.
