Cornelia Kapocs equaliser earns Liverpool WSL draw with Crystal Palace

Cornelia Kapocs scored to earn Liverpool at 1-1 Women’s Super League draw with Crystal Palace at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Both sides were aiming to bounce back from defeats last time out and Palace were rewarded for their their fine start to the game through former Reds forward Katie Stengel’s opener.

But the hosts hit back eight minutes before the break courtesy of Kapocs and, although both sides had chances to win it in the second half, they had to settle for a share the spoils.

Stengel put the visitors in front after 14 minutes with a goal against her old club.

Following a period of pinball in the box Stengel stung the palms of Rachael Laws, but the American made no mistake with her the second attempt as she emphatically finished into the roof of the net.

Sluggish Liverpool were frustrated throughout the opening quarter as Palace grew in confidence and could have had another.

Laws struggled to deal with an inswinging corner and Stengel looked to get on the end of it but was unable to direct the ball on target.

Liverpool then had Laws to thank as she was off her line quickly to deny Annabel Blanchard.

The hosts made Palace pay with an equaliser from the very next attack.

They raced up the other end and, after Mia Enderby’s initial effort was charged down, the ball fell to Kapocs, who finished neatly across goal.

Palace should have retaken the lead before the break when Mille Gejl put Stengel through on goal, but her off-balance effort sailed over the bar.

Palace started the second half still on the front foot, with Lily Woodham’s cross finding Indiah-Paige Riley, but she missed the target on the half-volley.

Liverpool attacks were scarce, but they could have taken the lead themselves.

Marie-Therese Hobinger headed on to Olivia Smith, but she could only find the side-netting from a tight angle as the match finished all square.