Women's Report: Saints 3-1 Crystal Palace

Saints bounced back from last weekend's narrow defeat to Sunderland AFC, as Ellie Brazil scored a first-half brace and a stoppage-minute third to secure a first career hat-trick on.

Crystal Palace's single goal came from Ashleigh Weerden, who scored from a cross-cum-shot that flew over the reach of Fran Stenson - who made some crucial saves herself throughout - just before half time to set up a tight second half.

Simon Parker made one change to his side from last weekend, bringing Chloe Peplow in for Tegan McGowan, but the pair combined in the final stages to eventually tee up Brazil's crucial third goal.

Saints at St Mary's. (Photos: Chris Moorhouse)

Saints started positively, enjoying comfortable periods of possession, as the visitors struggled to break free from their own half.

Palace's first chance of the game resulted in Fran Stenson making a quick reactionary save to push the ball away from a direct header towards the bottom corner.

In a break forwards soon after though, Brazil opened the scoring for as she tapped the ball home at the front post. Jess Simpson had released Michaela McAlonie down the left, who sent a pin-point cross to Brazil's feet for a first time finish from close range.

Saints' goalscorer then came close to returning the favour for a second goal as she fired a ball across the area from the other wing towards McAlonie, but her shot first time saw the ball spin away off the far post.

Ellie Brazil scores her first of the game.

Instead however, Brazil returned to the scoresheet just six minutes after her opener. Another left-sided delivery reached the forward, who this time took a touch and sent a calm, slotted finish past goalkeeper Jessica Shae Yanez.

Saints were on top, but Palace did pull a goal back at the end of the first half through Weerden with a shot from seemingly nowhere; the forward crossed a high ball into the box which dipped over the reaching hand of Stenson and straight into the net.

With a way back into the game for the visitors, the second half became an end-to-end affair as both sides tested the opposition's defence frequently.

Brazil almost secured her hat-trick with another close range shot, but Shae Yanez managed to claim the ball with a diving save.

Annabel Blanchard then had two close opportunities to draw the game level - one was palmed away by Stenson and the second hit the crossbar after a clever corner routine.

A hat-trick handshake between Ellie Brazil and Megan Collett.

After winning back possession from a Palace corner, McAlonie took the ball on a solo run through the middle before passing out wide into Brazil's feet.

Tegan McGowan's shot was then blocked for a corner, which Palace cleared forwards, only for Megan Collett to make a perfectly timed interception to prevent an attack.

Saints were soon playing around the edge of the Eagles' box again, which saw the confident Brazil turn her defender inside out to maintain possession.

On the attack again in the closing stages, Brazil sent a nicely weighted ball into the run of McAlonie who was one-on-one with Shae Yanez, but the goalkeeper won the duel to keep her side in with a chance of a late equaliser.

With just five minutes left of regular time, Stenson was on hand again to make her most important save to maintain Saints' advantage; a hopeful ball into the area fell at the feet of Abbie Larkin who shot from just six yards out but was denied by Stenson's surging block.

Finally, in a sudden break forwards, Brazil secured her hat-trick and sealed the win by calmly finishing once more past Shae Yanez with the ball put on a plate for her by McGowan.

Chloe Peplow had played an inch-perfect pass that split Palace's defensive line, allowing Saints' substitute winger to race clear and cut the ball into the direction of Brazil for her third of the game.

The win lifts Saints up to fifth in the league table, and puts them back to winning ways at a crucial time after suffering defeat a week prior.

Saints: Stenson, Simpson, Goddard, Bourne, Collett, Bashford, Peplow, Palmer (McGowan 65'), Brazil, Primus (c), McAlonie (Mott 85').

Subs not used: Pettit, Brown, Edwards, Hack, Tucker, Watts, Roberts.

Goals: Brazil (17', 23', 90').

Yellow cards: Brazil (35'), Palmer (57'), McGowan (68'), Primus (89').

Crystal Palace: Shae Yanez, Arthur (Riley 46'), My Cato, Everett (c), Sharpe, Hughes (Howat 79'), Weerden, Nolan, Ladd, Blanchard (Brown 85'), Larkin.

Subs not used: Annets, Vanhaevermaet, Brady, Newell.

Goals: Weerden (45').

Yellow cards: Sharpe (90+1').

Attendance: 1,775.