Hepple hits a brace as Durham storm Palace
Beth Hepple bagged a brace to continue her breathtaking season and keep Durham at the sharp end of the FA Championship with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
The in-form midfielder fired in a pair of free-kicks to take her tally for the campaign to 10 and see off a spirited Palace side at Maiden Castle.
Durham now boast three wins from their first five games, while Palace failed to backup wins over London Bees in the league and Lewes in the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup.
Durham, oozing confidence from an unbeaten start to the season, came close to opening the scoring through Sharpe, whose shot was blocked by Leeta Rutherford.
But the dangerous visitors and their prolific frontline came into the contest and Bianca Baptiste forced a fine low save to her left from Megan Borthwick.
Borthwick went on to make equally excellent stops to her right to thwart Coral Haines and Cherelle Khassal.
When the opening goal came, there was no shock it came from the boot of Hepple, who place a 20-yard free-kick over the wall and just under the bar.
After the break, the bar denied Hepple's a second as she headed Sharpe’s cross onto the bar on 55 minutes.
But nothing could prevent Hepple doubling the lead in the 65th-minute when her second sublime dead-ball strike from 30 yards gave Morgan no chance. Lively Durham had plenty of further pressure and chances but could not add to their lead.
To follow the action and sign up for The FA Player’s live Barclays FA Women’s Super League coverage visit womenscompetitions.thefa.com