Report: Palace beat Lewes in the Women's FA Cup third-round

Summary:

• Bailey makes her Palace debut, whilst there are starts for Riley, Sibley, and Brown in a much changed team from last week's win over Birmingham City.
• 12: Riley's wicked cross from the right-side is almost turned into the net by a Lewes defender, but the ball crashes off the crossbar instead
• 14: Exquisite one-two between Blanchard and Hughes ends in a goal, but the flag is up
• 31: Sibley goes on a driving run on the left-wing, but her cross is smothered by Moore
• 41: Blanchard's free-kick is tipped over the bar
• 42: GOAL - Cato makes a great run to the near post and nods home from the resulting corner
• HT: Lewes 0 - 1 Palace
• 53: Hughes' header from a corner is caught by Moore
• 69: Weerden's looping cross bounces off the bar
• 85: Lewes work a clever free-kick routine but Yañez is equal to the shot
• 89: Sibley heads just over the bar
• FT: Lewes 0 - 1 Palace

Lewes defended resolutely throughout the game, but My Cato's 42nd minute header proved to be the difference as Palace won 1-0 at The Dripping Pan.

The Eagles controlled the opening proceedings, with Lewes barely progressing beyond the halfway line.

The first real chance of the game came on 12 minutes, with Indiah-Paige Riley being played in behind on the right-side.

The New Zealand international whipped a fierce cross across goal, only for Maddie Brant to almost steer the ball into her own net.

Thankfully for the hosts, the ball instead bounced off of the crossbar and out of danger.

Palace took the lead minutes before the half-time break through Cato, who bagged her first goal of the season.

A dangerous inswinging corner was whipped in by Isabella Sibley, and there was Cato to head the ball into the bottom right corner.

It was the best time for Palace to score, and they went into the break 1-0 up.

Jo Potter rang the changes after half-time with Palace making four substitutions before the 65th minute.

The crossbar would deny the Eagles a second on 69 minutes, as substitute Ashleigh Weerden had her looping cross bounce off the bar.

86 minutes in and Lewes would get their first shot on target of the game, but Shae Yañez was equal to the effort and held the ball well.

Palace held on for the 1-0 win in Sussex, and will now be in the hat for the fourth-round, which will take place on either Saturday 17th or Sunday 18th January 2026.

The draw for the fourth-round takes place tomorrow on the Adobe Women’s FA Cup YouTube channel from 19:00 GMT.

The Eagles are next in action on Wednesday at 19:00 GMT as they take on Bristol City away from home in the Barclays Women's Super League 2.

You can get your tickets for that game by clicking the button below!

Lewes: Moore (GK), Brant, Schreimaier (Rowe, 64), Banaras (Roche, 84), Carpenter (Ferguson, 73), Trewhitt (Bell, 64), Howells, Harvey, Priest, Edwards, Lane

Subs not used: Woods (GK), Ginger, Gilligan

Palace: Yañez (GK), Napier, Cato, Sibley, Hughes (Sharpe, 60), Howat (Weerden, 60), Brown (Larkin, 45), Nolan, Blanchard, Riley, Bailey (Everett, 64)

Subs not used: Browne (GK), Hopcroft, Swaby