A system including an annular combustor having a first liner wall disposed circumferentially about an axis, a combustion chamber disposed circumferentially about the first liner wall, and a second liner wall disposed circumferentially about the combustion chamber. The annular combustor is configured to direct a combustion gas flow in a downstream direction through the combustion chamber away from a head end toward a turbine. The system also includes a supply passage configured to supply a fluid flow from a compressor to the combustion chamber. The supply passage has a flow path architecture having a turning portion that turns the fluid flow from a compressor discharge direction to an upstream direction generally opposite the downstream direction of combustion gas flow.