Newly promoted Colchester United Ladies got off to a flying start in the Women's FA Premier League South beating Crystal Palace 4-2 away form home.

Colchester started well, forcing three early corners to put Palace on the back foot.

But the home side then broke the deadlock with a well worked move to cut through the Colchester defence, giving a 1-0 lead to the home team.

Colchester then responded well with Kate Longhurst and new signing from Ipswich Town, Helen Bass looking dangerous upfront.

First Longhurst rounded the goal keeper but couldn't convert the chance from a tight angle.

Bass then levelled the score when she beat the offside trap and lobbed the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

Both teams created further chances in the first half but a combination of good goalkeeping and defending from both teams kept the game level at half time.

Colchester took the lead for the first time in the second half when Hannah Porter scored the goal of the game.

The advancing left back played a give and go with Longhurst to then drive the ball into the top corner from 20 yards. However, Palace soon fought back bringing the game level to 2-2.

Porter then whipped in a dangerous corner which was handled on the line by a palace defender giving Colchester the chance to take the lead from the spot.

Bass stepped up to score her second goal of the game on her Colchester United debut.

Palace continued to fight back and still looked a danger, but Longhurst put the game out of reach when she headed home a Porter free kick.

Colchester United manager Dmitri Halajko was delighted with the teams start in the new division.

He told CU-FC.com: 'We have a very young squad with only three players over the age of 19. To come away from home and win 4-2 in our first game at this level is a fantastic start. The players were amazing today.'

Colchester's next game will be a tough game when they face a long away trip to play Newquay LFC.