All new podcast in associtaion with the BBS

As something of an experiment, we've quite literally thrown together a little podcast based on last weekend's game.

You can download here:
http://www.palace-echo.net/podcast/bbspodcast_1.mp3

Enjoy!

Posted by neil

A Play-Offs muse from Neil the Eagle

The week leading up to the Burnley game was spend in a state of high nervous disorder that will be familiar to most fellow fans: Gazing at the League table for hours on end; working out the same results permutations over and over again; wondering why I can’t remember Wolves’ goal difference less than 5 minutes after one of those marathon Table-gazing sessions. Familiar symptoms, I’m sure.

And so the day of the game finally dawns, one last quick squizz at the table before heading to The Cherries and a meeting of my similarly nervy pals. Even before the first pint is served, the permutation discussions have started again and, sure enough, not one of us can remember Wolves’ goal difference without recourse to a paper. In truth, it all comes down to one thing – as it has all week - win and we are there; no ifs or buts. Finally we head off to the ground and you can taste the tension in the air.

Ten minutes after kick off, that tension has all but evaporated, replaced with a kind of confused joy. We are two up; they are down to ten-men. With a third before half-time, even Mr Pessimism himself (a.k.a. Wags) has a broad, confident smile. But then he has more to smile at than most. Down the years, his doom-laded predictions have more often than not been uncannily accurate. And sometime in early April, Wags had a dream. A very specific dream and one that has haunted us all since the git decided to share it with us.

It went like this: It’s a bright, sunny last day of the season and Palace need to win to get in the play-offs. However, the score stands at 1-1 going into the last couple of minutes. Palace are kicking towards the Whitehorse Lane end and get a penalty. Ben Watson steps up to take it… and hits the House on the Hill. Now, leave aside that the last bit is a physical impossibility, the fact is he missed and the play-offs were gone.

As the month wore on, results conspired to make the dream became a frighteningly real possibility. It got to the point where anxiously scouring the long range weather forecasts became second only to ‘Table-gazing’ as our new national sport of choice. For most of the week, the weathermen seem to be on our side predicting showers, but no, come match day its fine. As kick off approaches, the first break in the spell occurs; Palace will kick towards the Whitehorse. If you spotted a group of fans in the Upper Tier hugging each other like a goal had been scored shortly after the toss, well, you now know why. But it wasn’t quite finished there, seven minutes later, Palace get that penalty at the Whitehorse, the score is still level. We momentarily celebrate the decision, then turn, as one, to give Wags the evils.

Now I’m not one who cannot watch penalties (unlike the bloke who sits in front of us who assumes a crouching position, back to goal, with his head rather too close to Wags crotch, whenever a penalty is awarded), however this time I can barely look. Myself and the others who’ve had to live with his dream are getting ready to punch ‘seven shades’ out of Wags should the penalty go high, wide and right. Thankfully, Ben Watson remains unaffected by the waves of naked terror emanating from the other end of the ground and strokes the ball confidently low, left and in. We beat Wags anyway, it seemed like the most fitting celebration…

The second half sees us seal the win in some style with two more lovely goals and has me reflecting on how un-Palace like the whole match was. When Palace need a result on the last day of the season, they always have to work for it and don’t always get it. Remember Stockport? 87 minutes of feeling sick, 30 seconds of joy, 10 minutes of utter terror waiting on the final score from Huddersfield. Or Charlton? Where we let Premiership safety slip in the last 8 minutes. And what about 2004 at Coventry? We lost 2-1 but somehow Brian Deane dug us out of the mire with an injury time equaliser for West Ham against Wigan. Even the team of ’79, who were proudly paraded on the pitch at half time, kept us waiting 77 nail-biting minutes before finally doing the business against Burnley. Let’s face it, to win 5-0 in crucial must-win situation really isn’t Palace’s style… not that I’m complaining, mind.

And so we head to the play-off as the bookies favourites for promotion, again an unfamiliar position for us, but to be honest, I’ve given up worrying. Sure, I’m looking forward to the games against Bristol City, but the very unpredictable and atypical nature of this Palace side, has finally disarmed and, somehow against the odds, relaxed me. In the words of the song: whatever will be, will be.


Posted by neil

It’s a busy loan deadline day at Selhurst

Palace have signed Chelsea's Scott Sinclair, West Ham's Kyel Reid and Nathan Ashton from Fulham on loan until the end of the season.

Sinclair, 19, can operate as a forward or on either flank and will be remembered by Palace fans for his wonder goal away at Plymouth last season. Scott is very highly rated and has had loan spells at Charlton, Plymouth and QPR, as well as playing for Chelsea in the Premier League, although his last loan club, Charlton, seemed unimpressed with him, barely giving him a start, despite their own disastrous form.

Left-sided midfielder Reid, 20, has played for England Under-19s and is under contract at West Ham until the summer of 2009. Former Charlton left-back Ashton, 21, has played in the top flight this term and has seemingly been brought in as cover for our currently injury-prone left-backs: Clint Hill and Lee Hills.

It was all incoming signings though, Tony Craig has rejoined former club Millwall, Ryan Hall moved to Crawley, Jeff Hughes joined Bristol Rovers and Scott Flinders (pictured) switched to Blackpool - all on loan.


Posted by neil

Full match report as the reserves return to winning ways

A game against long time rivals Brighton finally saw Palace's reserves return to winning form at Bromley yesterday evening (19/3), with a better performance and a deserved 2-1 victory from a goal in each half.

With Dougie Freedman currently on loan at Leeds Utd, Palace's academy management took charge of a strong side
for the evening that included a number of players returning from injury.

The midfield consisted of Neil Danns plus the returning Ryan Hall, whilst Paul Ifill filled a role upfront alongside
newest first team debutant, Ben Kudjodji. Jeff Hughes filled the left back role, meaning that Tony Craig lined up
next to Aaron Dalhouse in the centre of defence. Also on show for the Eagles was another trial goalkeeper, this time it was young Joe Wooley, recently a player for Charlton's academy side.

Brighton included a sprinkling of players with first team experience, including the aging Guy Butters and young Joe
Gatting (related to Mike of course) up front.

It was 13 minutes into the match before the first attempt arrived. Ashley Robinson (playing on the right) had been
teasing the Brighton defence already during the opening minutes of the game down that flank, and this time he centred a cross into the area on the left that found Paul Ifill on the receiving end.

Turning the nearest defender to his right from around 12 yards out, he hit a low shot with his right foot that
went under the diving goalie to give Palace the lead.

Thirteen minutes later Palace won a free kick centrally outside the area and Ryan Hall stepped forward to take it,
placing a low shot just wide of the left goalpost. There was then a frantic 5 minute period that saw Brighton regain
parity with an equaliser.

Winning a free kick on 29 minutes out on the right wing, Seagulls midfielder Jake Robinson swung the ball into the
Palace area, where Gatting jumped highest to beat goalkeper Wooley (on his way out to meet the ball) and head into the
back of the net.

Immediately from the kick off, Palcae almost re-took the lead with a series of close range chances.

First Ifill broke through in the clear and shot at the legs of 'keeper John Sullivan (not the only fools and horses
creator !), while collecting the rebound, Neil Danns went close with a shot from the left of the box that deflected
off of a defender and into the side netting for a corner.

From the corner Palace could have scored again as Dalhouse rose above the Brighton players to power a low header toward
the goal line that was smothered, and from the hacked clearance Danns then went close again with a shot from 6 yards that was charged down.

Brighton finally responded on 33, as a badly misplaced Palace crossfield pass from the right reached Brighton's Robinson who firmly struck a first time shot from 20 yards straight into Wooley's arms. Four minutes later they had another go, this time through Gatting's shot (struck over the bar) following a right sided cross.

Palace then lost Paul Ifill through injury right on the stroke of half time. Challenging for a 50/50 ball with a Brighton player, there was no intent from either side, but Ifill went down for a minute or so requiring treatment. Thankfully he seemed to walk off at half time without much discomfort, so could still figure for the first team this weekend.

Chances at either end presented themselves during the 2nd period, but with Palace still the dominant of the two sides.

Despite that, most of the opportunities were shots struck over the bar.

The best chance of the opening moments though fell to Ben Kudjodji. Working his way past the away side's defence
from the left wing, he struck a shot toward the near post that the goalkeeper stopped.

The winning Palace goal arrived in the 78th minute courtesy of Ryan Hall, who stepped up just outside the area and hit
a shot into the right corner of the net to make it 2-1.

There were a couple of chances at either end following that, as Robinson and Kudjodji both put efforts over the goal for Palace, and Sub Chris Winterton did the same for Brighton, but the Eagles held firm for the 3 points in their final home game of the season which puts them into 3rd place in the table on 23 points - 8 points behind leaders Charlton.

Palace's next match is not now for over a month, although there is still a game away to Wycombe yet to be arranged which could fall within that gap.

Palace Team: Wooley, Abnett, Hughes, Smith, Dalhouse, Craig, Robinson, Danns, Kudjodji, Ifill, Hall

Subs: Cadogan (For Ifill '45), Comley (For Danns '67), Clyne, Edwards, Adelakun


Match Stats:

Palace Shots/Headers: 12 (8 on target)
Brighton Shots/Headers: 5 (2 on target)

Palace Corners: 5
Brighton Corners: 1

Palace Crosses: 5 (3 from left / 2 from right)
(Robinson 3, Hall 2)
Brighton Crosses: 2


Posted by alan

Match report from Tuesday's game at Beckenham

Originally this match was due to be played at Orient's Brisbane road ground, but With the East London outfit staging the women's F.A cup final, and Palace's home ground of Bromley hosting a midweek clash between they and Cray Wanderers, this week's reserve match (yesterday the 26th) ended up being played behind closed doors at Palace's Beckenham training ground on a sunny but windy afternoon.

Despite fielding a strong line-up, and welcoming both Tony Craig and Arron Fray (pictured) back from injury, an indifferent 2nd half performance saw the Eagles defeated 3-1 under the watching eye of manager Neil Warnock.

Once again in goal was Ashford Town trialist Craig Ross, while up front both Dougie Freedman and Victor Moses supported Sean Scannell from slightly deeper positions, with Moses mainly in this role early on.

The O's team comprised mainly of youngsters, but did also include midfielder Sean Thornton who had several seasons ago been playing at the highest level in the game.

Palace 'keeper Ross was first called into action on 11 minutes, when he backpedalled to tip over Loick Pires
header following a free kick from the left. Six minutes later the Eagles sprung to life and had the lead.

Dispossessing Orient on the left wing, the talented Victor Moses cut inside and let fly with a curling 20 yard shot that flew in off the right hand post, giving the diving O's stopper no chance of a save.

Two minutes after Ashley Robinson unleashed an effort from the right as he got forward. This attempt (from the edge of the area) was several yards over though. Palace then lost the returning Arron Fray (making his first start of the season), who appeared to be unable to continue, despite not receiving any injury on the field. His replacement was Aaron Dalhouse, and as in the previous game the centre back filled in on the right of defence.

Then in the 21st minute from Jamie Smith's free kick on the left (following a foul on Moses), Jose Fonte cushioned a header just passed the right goal post.

Just as Palace began to get a good foothold in the game, they conceeded an unfortunate equaliser.

With 28 minutes on the clock the O's won a corner following a free kick given away by Fonte. From that the ball arrived just outside the area to Sean Thornton, who teed up a low shot on goal. With Craig Ross diving the right way, he looked to have the ball covered until it took a deflection off of Bradley Gray's ankle, which steered the ball slightly to the left and into the corner of the net for 1-1.

It got worse for the Eagles just before half time, when on 40 minutes midfielder Andy Barcham broke into the area on the left past Fonte, and fired a low shot into the back of the net to give Orient the lead.

Last effort of the half fell to Palace, when Jamie Smith teed up a shot on goal from a free kick on the left,
following a foul on Victor Moses. Struck without too much pace or placement, the effort was easily scooped up by the Orient goalie.

It was almost 10 minutes into the 2nd period before things livened up, with Orient doing most of the forward probing. Thornton hit a low shot wide of goal on 54 minutes, and a minute after that Wayne Gordon tried his luck from 25 yards out with a chip shot, that flew just over the Palace bar.

It was a good 15 minutes before Palace got in the game at all, when on 71, Ashley Robinson struck a goalbound effort straight at 'keeper Morris.

Ross then made a save at his near post from a shot on the left by substitute Harry Baker, but the away side sealed
the points with 4 minutes still on the clock.

From a cross over on the left flank, the Palace defence failed to scramble the ball away at the far post and it was left for Wayne Gordon to poke a low shot under Ross at the right hand post from around 8 or 9 yards out.

A fairly flat and disappointing 2nd half Palace display. Despite some spark in the forward play from Scannell and Moses during the opening 45 minutes, things failed to click during the 2nd half.

Palace reserves now have a break of almost a month before the next fixture, although it's possible the yet to be arranged Wycombe away match could fill this gap at some point during then.

Palace Team: Ross, Fray, Craig, Adelakun, Swaibu, Fonte, Robinson, Smith, Freedman, Scannell, Moses

Subs: Kudjodji, Edwards (For Fonte '57), Sweeney (For Adelakun '79), Dalhouse (For Fray '17), Jupp


Match Stats:
Palace Shots/Headers: 6 (3 on target)
Orient Shots/Headers: 10 (6 on target)

Palace Corners: 2
Orient Corners: 6

Palace Free Kicks: 5
Orient Free Kicks: 9

Palace Crosses: 9 (7 from right / 2 from left)
(Robinson 4, Craig 2, Smith 1, Scannell 1, Dalhouse 1)
Orient Crosses: 5


Posted by alan

Another draw for the Eagles second eleven.


Given that recent Palace reserve fixtures have often finished 0-0, and the second eleven have failed to
score much recently, it was no great surprise to see last night's (20/2) home combination league fixture against
Millwall play out as a scoreless draw.

Whilst the previous game between the two sides back in September had finished a 3-3 goal thriller, once again
there were not too many clear cut goal scoring opportunities during this game, although chances were even at either end.

Palace gave a run out to another trialist, this time a goalkeeper named Craig Ross (there is a non-league 'keeper
by that name, so it could well have been him) and also included young academy striker Adam Jupp whose only previous
showing this season had been in the Surrey cup game at Chipstead. Left winger Lino Goncalves (part of a trio of players recently released by Fulham, who have moved to Palace) was also given another run out - as was Bradley Hudson-Odoi (another of those) who was a used second half substitute. There was also a welcome return to the side for left back Rhoys Wiggins who once again has missed most of this season through injury.

Millwall included a smattering of players with first team experience, including ex-Arsenal youngster Ryan Smith, but
there was no place for either of their recent Palace signing's (Dave Martin and Lewis Grabban) both of whom have been appearing regularly for their first team.

The first chance presented itself to Palace in the 12th minute. Lively winger Goncalves finding himself in a central
position, hit a low shot along the ground into the arms of goalkeeper Preston Edwards. Seven minutes later Aaron Dalhouse hit a decent cross/shot from the right flank towards the top of the net that was also caught by the same.

Then the same Palace player with 11 minutes left of the first period, tried a chip shot from outside the box, but again Edwards easily made a jump to claim the ball above head height.

Millwall's first response came through midfielder Ross Gaynor, their most threatening player, when his low shot on 37 minutes as he worked his way into the box from the left was touched around the post by Craig Ross' outstretched hand.

Two minutes later they had another chance, the last of the half. Gaynor eluded Jeff Hughes (playing at centre back) but stabbed a shot wide of the right hand post.

The second half got underway with Victor Moses troubling the Millwall defence. Dribbling around two Millwall players
on the right of the box, his low shot was also past the near post.

Gaynor (again) then put the ball over the bar with a shot on 52 minutes, and repeated that effort again two minutes later.

It wasn't until the 81st minute that we saw another close effort. From a Millwall corner on the right, Gary Bowes got
up with a header that Ross pushed wide. A minute later there was a foul on Jamie Smith just outside the Millwall box, but although substitute Ashley Robinson struck the free kick well, it curled a few yards over the right hand side of the crossbar.

The best two chances of the game presented themselve to the Lions within the last 10 minutes. First off Gaynor tried his luck. This time it was a 20 yarder struck straight at goal and with Ross several yards off his line, it cannoned back off the bar and away to safety.

The busy Gaynor then had another shot pushed away for a corner by Ross, and the young Palace trialist then made another good save with 4 minutes left, as he back pedalled toward goal to tip Bakayogo's looping header over the bar.

In the table, Palace now sit in 3rd spot, 7 points back from 2nd placed Charlton having played one game more. Southampton are now the new league leaders having won 2-1 away last night. In 4th is Watford who have 4 games in hand now on Palace and are only 2 points behind.

Next up is an afternoon trip away to Leyton Orient next Tuesday.

Palace Team: Ross, Dalhouse, Wiggins, Swaibu, Hughes, Sweeney, Smith, Moses, Kudjodji, Jupp, Conclaves

Subs: Adelakun, Thorpe, Abnett (For Wiggins '60, Robinson (For Goncalves '76), Hudson-Odoi (For Jupp '60)

Match Stats:

Palace Shots/Headers: 5 (2 on target)
Milwall Shots/Headers: 7 (3 on target)

Palace Corners: 3
Millwall Corners: 6

Palace Free Kicks: 13
Millwall Free Kicks: 7

Palace Crosses: 7 (4 from right / 3 from left)
(Goncalves 3, Robinson 3, Dalhouse 1)
Millwall Crosses: 6

Posted by alan

Match report from last night's game in the cold at Bromley

Third and Fourth place in the Pontin's Combination league South faced off last night (6/2), as Palace's reserves went down to a single goal 1-0 defeat at home to Watford on a cold frosty evening.

The goal itself was a complete fluke in the opening minute (more about that shortly) but of particular interest was the appearance of three trialists in the Palace line-up, two of which have been training with the club for the past week.

In goal for Palace was giant 6 foot plus Bulgarian 'keeper Todor Kyuchukov who has plyed his trade until now in his own country, and has also played league football in Cyprus. The other two additions were both recently released by Fulham.

One was wide right or forward player Max Noble who has also been capped by Wales at under-17 and 19 youth level, while also in the team was forward Bradley Hudson-Odoi and both players took turns alongside Palace youth striker Ben Kudjodji during the match.

Dougie Freedman elected not to pick himself for the evening. Returning in midfield from injury was Jamie Smith, while he was partnered in the middle by Jeff Hughes, back on loan from Peterborough but possibly shortly set for another loan spell out elsewhere.

As with a few reserve games of late, chances were also few and far between in this one, with a lack of goal attempts at each end. Palace replicated Charlton's feat of the previous week by not managing a single effort on target, whilst the Hornets only one was their fortunate goal.

Of that goal - it came in the opening minute and a half of the game.

With Palace kicking off, Watford stole possession about 10 yards forward into the Palace side of the pitch and from a good 30 yards out striker Liam Henderson tried a quick lob shot toward goal. In a flash it hit the Palace bar and with goalie Kyuchukov looking to see where it landed, it bounced down off the back of his leg and into the net for a fluke own goal.

Territorially Palace then took over for the remainder of the half, but couldn't find a was past the Watford
backline.

In only the 4th minute, Max Noble ran onto a chipped ball on the right of the penalty area but despite a deft knock forward with his first touch, the experienced Mart Poom came out from between the posts to claim the ball off of his foot.

Noble had another chance on 19 minutes as the Moses/Noble/Hudson-Odoi/Kudjodji quartet busied themselves around the Watford penalty area. Hitting a shot towards the right hand side of goal from just inside the box, the ball was headed away a few yards in front of the line.

Then shortly after in the 24th minute, Hudson-Odoi from just inside the area hit a low shot goalward that Poom got down to and made a comfortable save.

With 6 minutes remaining before half time Victor Moses stepped up to try his luck, but his shot was struck several yards well over the bar.

Half time arrived without substitutions, and although the 2nd half played out much more evenly in terms of advantage possession, with Watford starting the half strongly, there was little of note to record.

For Watford, just after half time midfielder Alessandro Campana cut in from the right and fired a shot wide of the Palace net. Palace's only notable response of the half came with 15 minutes remaining when Jose Fonte met substitute Lino Goncalves right wing free kick, and leant back slightly before shooting over goal himself.

A cold evening came to a conclusion, and the Hornets escaped with all three points.

Palace remain in 3rd place (although now 6 points behind 2nd placed Southampton) while Watford closed the gap on the Eagles, now only a point behind in 4th and still with 3 more games to play.


Palace Team: Kyuchukov, Abnett, Hills, Fonte, Swaibu, Hughes, Smith, Moses, Noble, Kudjodji, Hudson-Odoi

Subs: Cadogan, Concalves (For Hudson-Odoi '66), Sweeney, Adelakun (For Hills '72), Dalhouse (For Abnett '67)


Match Stats:

Palace Shots/Headers: 7 (none on target)
Watford Shots/Headers: 2 (1 on target)

Palace Free Kicks: 13
Watford Free Kicks: 7

Palace Corners: 5
Watford Corners: 2

Palace Crosses: 8 (4 from right, 4 from left)
(Moses 2, Noble 2, Adelakun 2, Hudson-Odoi 1, Hills 1)
Watford Crosses: 4

Posted by alan

Match report from another scoreless game at Bromley

After a goal less league draw in the last game at home to QPR, Palace's reserves followed up that result last night (23/1) with another 0-0 game at Bromley, this time against the only team above them in the table, Charlton Athletic.

In the previous (also scoreless) fixture between the two back in early November, Palace had dominated the game against the Addicks only to come away with just a point, and although there was a real lack of chances in last night's game, the outcome was the same with the side from the Valley not mustering a single shot on the Palace goal in the whole of the 90 minutes.

Palace had a slighly un-balanced side out, with Arron Fray returning from injury to fill in at centre back, Danny
Butterfield in right midfield and usual right midfielder Ashley Robinson pushed up to striker (a role he has begun
to fill in for lately). Player/Manager Dougie Freedman also sat again in central midfield, alongside Carl Fletcher
(who could possibly have played his last game in a Palace shirt).

With the game low on goal scoring opportunities, it was Freedman who had an early chance when on 10 minutes as the
ball bobbled up, he hit a firm shot straight at Charlton 'keeper Darren Randolph from the edge of the penalty area.

Fifteen minutes passed before the next chance, which again came as a result of Freedman's play. Fouled on the edge of the box on the left hand side, Carl Fletcher took the free kick that was deflected wide for a corner kick.

The half passed without any furher incident until the final 5 minutes of play.

In quick sucession, Charlton trialist Moses Ademola scuffed a low shot wide on 42 minutes, followed from the goal kick by a lashed over the bar fierce drive at the other end from Palace's Ben Kudjodji.

Then on the stroke of half time came probably the game's best chance. Right back Nathan Clyne whipped in a decent
cross from the wing, which was met by the rising Carl Fletcher's header back towards the right. From there, Kudjodji turned and shot at goal, his effort met by 'keeper Randolphs' save, pushing the ball round for a corner.

The 2nd period began where it had ended, with a Palace chance. Victor Moses laid the ball off to Fletcher and he
hit the ball wide of goal.

Nothing then happened until the 65th minute, when Charlton's Chris Dickson shot over the Palace goal from just
outside the area. He repeated the same feat 14 minutes later, just after Lee Hills had struck a shot wide of the
Charlton left hand post, and the game finished with Charlton sub Lozano-Calderon nodding a header well over the bar following a right wing cross.

Charlton remain clear leaders currently 5 points ahead of 2nd placed Southampton (who have 3 games in hand). Palace
are level on 19 points with the Saints, but have also played those extra 3 games.

Things should also get tight in the coming weeks with the 3 teams behind the Eagles also have 3 games on them to play,
and Palace now have a 2 week break before returning to Bromley to face 4th placed Watford at home.

Palace Team: Wilkinson, Clyne, Fray, Swaibu, Hills, Fletcher (c), Butterfield, Moses, Freedman, Robinson, Kudjodji

Subs: Dalhouse (For Fray '63), Cadogan (For Robinson '65), Sheringham (For Freedman '79), Adelakun


Match Stats:

Palace Shots/Headers: 7 (2 on target)
Charlton Shots/Headers: 5 (none on target)

Palace Free Kicks: 13
Charlton Free Kicks: 7

Palace Corners: 4
Charlton Corners: 3

Palace Crosses: 4 (4 from right)
(Clyne 2, Butterfield 1, Fletcher 1)
Charlton Crosses: 5


Posted by alan

The recent ins & out at Selhurst

Yesterday Palace captured midfielder Neil Danns and made Shaun Derry's loan deal for Leeds a permanent one.

Danns joins from Birmingham for £650,000 rising to £850,000 on appearances, whereas Derry's fee was undisclosed.

They join Clint Hill who's loan deal for Stoke was made permanent last week, again for an undisclosed fee. Leon Cort made the switch the other way, after a similar loan period, for £1.2m.

Back from loan at Fulham is Shefki Kuqi, whilst fellow striker Lewis Grabban (pictured), shortly after his return from a loan spell at Motherwell, has now left the club permanently joining Millwall in a £150,000 deal.

Earlier in the month, right back John Halls joined on loan from Reading for a month to cover Danny Butterfield groin injury. Going out on a month's loan is Ryan Hall to Dagenham & Redbridge. Loanees Franck Songo'o and Paul Dickov returned to Portsmouth and Man City respectively at the start of the month.

Posted by neil

Palace in unlucky exit from Youth Cup

Fielding a side bereft of so much of its maturer talent, plucky Palace ran strongly-fancied Leicester all the way at the windswept Walkers Stadium.

With the likes of Jamie Smith, Billy Bingham, Lee Hills and James Dayton all sidelined with injury, Palace's side had a very lop-sdided look to it. On the evidence of the first 20 minutes, it looked like it was going to be rout.

After almost scoring in the opening seconds, Leicester found the net in the 7th minute when first-team experienced Ashley Chambers ran right back Michael Abnett completely ragged down the left before hammered over a deep low cross, which Nathaniel Clyne, playing in an unfamilar left back role, could only turn into his own net from three yards, under intense pressure from Chambers.

Palace survived several early more scares, as Leicester breached our makeshift defence with embarrassing ease mainly thanks to goalkeeping heroics of Kieran Thorp and the woodwork. However slowly, Palace's midfield which included Victor Moses and John Bostock came more into the game and gave our beleaguered defence some welcome respite.

Just before the half ended, Sean Scannell blazed over a very decent chance after being put clear witha sublime ball from Bostock.

Just after the break, Palace unexpectedly equalised. The Leicester keeper appeared to let the ball run out after a scramble, which allowed Victor Moses to nick the ball away from him before he crossed the line before deliver the ball in for Ashley Robinson to hammer home.

It didn't just even up the score, Palace's confidence levels soared and it was game on. The fragile defence improved in stature although still producing moments of complete uncertainty. Sadly parity didn't last very long, a blatant shirt-tug in the box left the Referee with no alternative and Billy Kee restored the Foxes lead from the spot on the hour.

Palace went all out for an equaliser, with Moses majestic and untouchable in the midfield, but again left the defence exposed, resulting in some occassional frantic back-pedalling action with both Thorp and the post in action again.

On 76 minutes the equaliser came from another penalty. A seeming innocuous challenge had even the Palace lads scratching their heads when the Referee again pointed to the spot. Robinson dispatching the kick in fine style.

Moses again teased and tormented but couldn't unlock the door, as Leicester visibly wilted. When the full time whistle sounded the look of horror on the home side's faces at the thought of 30 minutes of extra time was all too evident.

Extra time was a disappointment on several fronts, firstly that the Referee gave a Leceister another penalty for nothing more than a tangle of legs on the run, which also seemed to be outside the box. Thorp managed to get his fingertips to Chambers firmly struck effort, but it was simply too good a penalty for him to have any hope of saving.

With Leicester players collapsing with cramp all over the shop, Palace spend the final 15 minutes camped in the Foxes half, but the weather took a dramatic turn for the worse. A torrential rain and hail-storm effectively ended the game, 10 minutes from time, as neither side could cope with the blinding sleet and rain, added to the ever-present wind.

An anti-climatic end to what had been a fascinating encounter and Leicester will be counting their blessings that they find themselves in the next round.

Palace: Thorp, Abnett, Nnanawi, Dalhouse, Clyne, Cadogan (Djilali 105), Carolan (Sweeney 115), Bostock, Moses, Scannell, Robinson (Randall 118).

Referee: SJ Moss


Posted by neil

Match report from the last reserve fixture of 2007


For their final fixture of 2007, Palace's reserves made the short trip down to Aldershot for a Combination league match that finished all square at 1-1.

With the Christmas break almost here it was the last chance for some of the fringe first team players to get any football under their belts for three weeks plus, so un-surprisingly the line-up was relatively strong.

In addition, for the first time this season there was a trialist on display in the shape of ex-Coventry 22 year
old left winger Eddie Stanford, who is on trial from Chorley having more recently plied his trade in an unexpected place, that of Polish league football. He did ok, supplying a number of crosses in the box, particularly in the first half.

Dougie Freedman who was once again in charge for the day (this being an afternoon kick off) chose himself on the subs
bench, and Aaron Dalhouse now fit again returned to his familiar central defence position alongside Moses Swaibu.

Palace got off to the worst possible start in front of a small crowd of less than 50, when only 3 minutes into the game Scott Flinders made a mistake fumbling a routine take from a left wing cross near the corner flag. As the ball eluded his hands, it dropped at the far post where striker Danny Hylton smashed it into the back of the net for the lead.

However, it was only 4 minutes before the Eagles regained parity.

From John Bostock's deep central midfield free kick, the ball found Stuart Green in the middle of the penalty area
and he snapped off a shot that the 'keeper parried away. As the defence tried to clear, he reacted quickest to recover
and smashed a shot from the left of the area into the back of the net for the equaliser.

Ten minutes then passed and it was on 17 that Aldershot had a shot cleared off the line by Palace from several yards
out, as midfielder Kirk Hudson shot on target after a scramble near the left hand Palace post. Eleven minutes later the
same player poked a shot wide of the left hand post.

With 34 minutes on the clock Palace again had to defend, when Scott Flinders caught Scott Donnelly's free kick from
outside the box on the right.

Palace finally mustered another clear chance two minutes afterwards. Idrizaj (who'd been an eager but ineffective
runner till that point) strode through the centre of midfield before laying the ball left, where John Bostock
let fly with a shot that went a few yards wide.

A better chance came four minutes later. Palace right back Nathan Clyne took the ball from one half well into the
other, and won a throw after being challenged by two Aldershot players. Launching the ball to Idrizaj, it was then crossed deep into the left hand side of the area and met by a Stuart Green effort that was shot across the goal
and inches wide of the right post.

With a minute on the clock to half time Palace had one more effort, as Idrizaj met Stanford's cross with a low shot that was saved.

Half time came and went without changes, and the 2nd half then unfortunately played out much more quietly, with the
only real action in the first 20 minutes of it.

Aldershot had first dibs on an effort for the half. 56 minutes gone this time and Hylton fired over the Palace bar
as he met the ball from a cross on the right. A neat piece of defending from the returning Aaron Dalhouse saw him then
block another attempted shot from Hylton (inside the area), as he reacted to a flick on from Miles Jones.

The Eagles last noted attempt of the game came on 66 minutes when Idrizaj ran onto a through pass down the left, but was just beaten to the ball in the box by the 'keeper, who conceded a corner.

From that (on the left) the 'keeper punched unconvincingly away outside of the box, and the ball was returned from there by Ryan Hall's shot that he then claimed with an over exaggerated dive.

Despite both sides probing in and around the penalty area there were no other efforts on goal from either, with Dougie
Freedman's appearance from the bench on 85 minutes replacing the injured Moses Swaibu (who received a cut to the head), the only other notable incident of the match.

There's now a three week break for the reserves, whose next game is at home to QPR in the 2nd week of January.


Palace Team: Flinders, Clyne, Edwards, SWaibu, Dalhouse, Bostock, Green, Hall, Sheringham, Idrizaj, Stanford

Subs: Freedman (For Swaibu '85), Thorp, Kudjodji (For Sheringham '66), Carolan (For Edwards '15), Sweeney

Match Stats:

Palace Shots/Headers: 5 (2 on target)
Aldershot Shots/Headers: (8 (3 on target)

Palace Corners: 1
Aldershot Corners: 3

Palace Crosses: 9 (6 from left / 3 from right)
(Stanford 7, Clyne 1, Idrizaj 1)
Aldershot Crosses: 9

Palace Scorer: Green ('7)


Posted by alan

Palace's under-18's progress in FA Youth Cup

A 1-0 victory in the freezing cold at Selhurst Park was enough to see off Hull City and progress Palace's under-18 side to the 4th round of the FA youth cup.

Palace lined up with a strong side that included many youngsters already involved in some capacity with the 1st team. This included Lee Hills, John Bostock and Sean Scannell, plus a number of other players that had been absent from last week's Surrey cup fixture.

In front of 321 hardy souls, a 4th minute strike from Sean Scannell sealed the victory. The young Eagles started brightly, and racing onto John Bostock's through ball, the Irish international outpaced the Hull right back and fired home with a shot into the corner of the net.

The Tigers then enjoyed a good spell of possession, but despite a number of corners, were unable to find the net (although goalkeeper Keiran Thorpe made two good saves for Palace).

The 2nd half passed without much incident, and Palace had the final say of the match when Keiran Cadogan hit the bar with a shot in the 89th minute.

Palace will face Leicester City or Blackburn Rovers in the 4th round, to be played mid-January.

Palace Team: Thorpe, Clyne, Hills, Bingham, Nnamani, Carolan, Cadogan, Bostock, Scannell, Dalhouse, Abnett

Subs: Sweeney, Jacobs, Randall, Djilali (For Bingham '52), Adelakun.

Posted by alan

Match report from a disappointing Surrey Cup evening

Palace gave a clear indication that the Surrey cup is sadly not very high on their list of priorities anymore for the reserves, when they fielded a very patched together side to take on Ryman's league Chipstead, and were defeated 4-1 after extra time in this 2nd round tie.

Two seasons ago the young Eagles had easily despatched their non-league opponents winning 6-2, but there was to be no repeat of that scoreline with the side out today.

With the first team playing in a more important fixture on the same night (why the two fixtures had been arranged the same day was another oddity) it was always going to be a weakened line up, especially with the number of current injuries taken into account.

Missing through that were Jamie Smith, Ashley Robinson, Victor Moses, Keiran Thorp and Ben Kudjodji. With the
first team were Sean Scannell and Lee Hills and possibly also in that travelling party were Moses Swaibu and John Bostock.

However, a number of other players also seemed to be absent for the evening (Nathan Clyne, Billy Bingham, Ryan Carolan and Ryan Hall) leading to a scratch line-up of young academy players and trialists on show, some of whom had only just appeared for the academy the previous Saturday, and the announced team bore not much resemblance to what was on show either.

In a game of few clear cut chances, Chipstead's full strength line-up (including ex-Palace reserve left back
Chris Head) proved to be the stronger.

After a few minutes it was Chipstead's Aaron Cole-Bolt who first tested either 'keeper. From the edge of the box his tame effort was claimed by Palace goalie Martin Jacobs who had come out to block his shot.

Hakeem Adelakun responded for Palace with a left wing cross on 16 minutes, skimming off the head of Palace's young number 7 Campbell, the 'keeper then got to the ball quicker than Charlie Sheringham.

Palace's youth striker Adam Jupp was next with an effort, as he chested down the ball but placed his shot wide of the left post on 28 minutes, and the same player did well 5 minutes later to get in front of two defenders just inside the area. The resulting shot this time was parried away by Chipstead goalkeeper Parkinson.

Last chance of the first period went the home side's way when Cole-Bolt beat Palace's Jacobs just to the ball on
the left of the box about 10 yards out, but his shot cannoned back off of James Comley who was covering the near post.

The 2nd half began with a goal arriving in Chipstead's favour after 53 minutes, following a Palace attack.

Sheringham nodded the ball to Jupp in the opposition penalty area following a corner, and with a classic piece
of counter attacking the ball suddenly found itself cleared down field to striker Simpson who yards to the left of the lone Palace defender, sprinted clear and beat the offside trap to hit a low shot under approaching goalie Jacobs for 1-0.

Jupp had another shooting opportunity with 65 minutes gone when he hit another shot straight at the goalkeeper,
following a deflection in his favour.

With 13 minutes remaining, defender Comley claimed a Palace equaliser. With ball at his feet just inside the area and to the left, he struck a right footed drive firmly into the right of the goal, with the 'keeper watching unmoved.

A few half chances then remained as Palace twice and Chipstead once both attacked, and Palace actually had the ball in the net on 90 minutes, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The game went to extra time and it was a cruel own goal on 102 minutes that put Chipsted back in control. A cross
came in from the left, and it was Hakeem Adelakun who reacted first. Unfortunately his outstretched leg trying to
intercept the cross, instead put the ball in the Palace net.

Goal number 3 arrived with 5 minutes of the first added period in play. The home side had a free kick from the
right and it was one of their own that jumped higher than the Palace defence to win the header. Martin Jacobs in goal made a one handed parry, but as the ball came off the post, it was nodded in by the nearest Chipstead player for the 3rd goal.

With a few minutes left on the clock, Palace had one further chance. Joe Sweeney struck the ball from the edge
of the box following Jack Randall's cross, but 'keeper Parkinson made a diving palm away to safety.

Goal number 4 almost on the stroke of full time was worthy of winning the game. Substitute Lee Oxley held off Aaron Dalhouse at arms length on the right of the box, and powered a dipping shot past the Palace 'keeper's fingertips into the bottom left of the goal for the winner.

Not a lot more could probably be expected of the young Palace lads (probably the youngest Surrey cup side we've
ever fielded) with most of the players probably not familiar with each other. Good luck to Chipsted in the 3rd
round who will now face Merstham or Chertsey Town.


Palace Team: Jacobs, Comley, Williams, Burns, Dalhouse, Nnami, Campbell, Sweeney, Jupp, Sheringham, Adelakun

Subs: Randall (For Campbell '60), Smith (For Williams '60), Kenlock, Holness (For Nnami '95)


Match Stats:

Palace Shots/Headers: 9 (5 on target)
Chipstead Shots/Headers: 14 (7 on target)

Palace Corners: 1
Chipstead Corners: 2

Palace Crosses: 3 (1 from left / 2 from right)
Chipstead Crosses: 8

Palace Scorer: Comley ('77)

Posted by alan

Winning streak continues for Warnock.



Battling back from a 1-0 deficit at half time, Palace secured three more points in the bag last night (4/12) with a 2-1 victory against QPR at Loftus Road.

Neil Warnock made one change for the short trip across London, as Danny Butterfield replaced the suspended Matt Lawrence at right back, but otherwise it was the same starting eleven that drew with West Brom the previous Saturday. On the bench were youngsters Lee Hills and Sean Scannell, and the young Irish international striker making his first team debut during the 2nd half.

Palace started brightly, pegging back Rangers with plenty of possession in their half during the opening 10 minutes, before falling victim to yet another poorly conceded goal.

Unmarked from an Akos Buzsaky corner, Damion Stewart arrived in the area in the 10th minute to power home a header and give the home side the lead.

Chances then followed at either end, with Mark Hudson almost finding the net with a header, before Julian Speroni was called into action to make 2 good first half saves.

Palace found the net in the 2nd half on 65 minutes as Clint Hall got a deft touch on the end of Ben Watson's free kick to steer the ball past the keeper, for his 2nd goal in Palace colours (and the equaliser).

Three minutes later and the Eagles had the lead.

Watson again was provider as his corner was met by Mark Hudson's firm header that rebounded down off of the crossbar and away from the goal-line, where Clinton Morrison was lurking to steer the ball home for a 2-1 lead.

Palace could have had a 3rd on 75, when Scannell making his debut skinned the defender to provide a cross that Lee Hills headed over, with only the 'keeper to beat.

Neil Warnock was then sent to the stands with only minutes remaining after an incident with the fourth official Lee Probert, but it had no impact on the finish and Palace ran out 2-1 winners, unbeaten now in their last 7 matches.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Hudson, Fonte (Hills 52), Hill, Soares (Fletcher 73), Watson, Derry, Songo'o (Scannell 60), Scowcroft, Morrison. Subs Not Used: Freedman, Martin.

Booked: Butterfield.

Goals: Hill 65, Morrison 68.

QPR: Camp, Rehman, Stewart, Malcolm, Barker, Rowlands (Nygaard 72), Buzsaky (Bolder 86), Leigertwood,Sinclair, Sahar (Balanta 83), Vine. Subs Not Used: Cole, Ainsworth.

Booked: Rowlands, Rehman, Camp.

Goals: Stewart 10.

Att: 13,300
Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).


Posted by alan

Full match report from a 5 goal reserve encounter

On a cool evening and with wind and swirling rain to contend with at times, Palace and the Saints braved the
elements at Hayes Lane for their Combination league match and with 5 goals in the offing,
attendance for the hundred or so that made it turned out to be worthwhile.

Palace were the winners on the night courtesy of a 3-2 scoreline, thanks to a 91st minute injury time strike from
young Sean Scannell (who looked delighted with his goal as well).

Going into the game the Eagles side had a relatively settled look to it, with outgoing loanee Frank Songo'o
added to the list of players in the team that have played for the first team. Moses Swaibu returned from injury to the centre of defence (Victor Moses was still missing for the same reason) to partner Ryan Carolan, and Lee Hills returned on the left of it.

Stuart Green and Songo'o held down the wide positions (the latter having a bright first half) whilst another player back after a few months out, and on the bench, was young defender Aaron Dalhouse who'd previously fallen victim to a nasty pre-season injury.

Both sides were fairly quick out of the traps, but it was the Saints who had the first shot goalward when on 2 minutes Marek Saganowski put Jake Thomson's right wing cross wide of the post. Three minutes later Palace
conjured up a better reply. Besian Idrizaj cut in from the left flank into the area, and let fly with a strong shot toward the bottom left of the goal that the 'keeper palmed around the post.

Ten minutes in and young Scannell turned his marker twice on the left of the area before also planting a shot
wide of the post.

Southampton got slightly closer on 17 minutes when Simon Gillet's shot beat Scott Flinders dive from 20 yards out on the right, and crashed back off of the left goal post. Almost straight from that, Palace went down the other end of the pitch, and from just outside the area Ryan Hall let fly with a shot that skidded along the deck. The 'keeper in the wet got down, but could only manage to palm the ball up into the roof of the net for a 1-0 Palace lead.

Just past the 20 minute mark, Scannell then teed up Songo'o with a backheel, but just outside the box he let fly with a shot that flew a few yards over the crossbar.

A few minutes later he had a double attempt. First his low shot was saved by the goalie's legs after he was setup by Idrizaj, and then a free kick deflected just wide off of a defender.

Then unexpectedly and out of nothing, Saints equalised in the 36th minute.

From a corner on the left, midfielder Dutton-Black got his head to the ball, and it rebounded off of the right hand Palace goal post before crossing the line as the defence tried to scramble the ball away. Worse was to come only 2 minutes later though as they took the lead.

This time with a corner on the right, it was defender Oliver Lancashire who rose unchallenged by the Palace back line, to head over Scott Flinders and into the same part of the net for a 2-1 lead.

With 7 minutes remaining before half time, that was it for 1st half match action, and the 2nd period began with no changes by either side, but with Southampton dominating long chunks of the game in the Palace half.

First on 53 minutes was a shot by defender Lloyd Barnes from the edge of the box which Flinders parried away, then
Palace replied with a teasing right flank cross from Idrizaj that just eluded Ryan Hall's outstretched head.

Ten minutes later Saints went closer. Substitute Matt Patterson outjumped the Palace defence with a header that
came back off the right hand post, then 3 minutes later a deflected shot did the same, coming off of the thigh of Lucien Mettomo before striking it.

Defender Jamke Thomson then had a goalward shot also deflected wide on 75 minutes, before a minute later the Eagles fought back with an equaliser.

A good run down the right wing from Idrizaj saw him get away from the Southampton left back and as he arrived in the penalty box, he lofted the ball over the goalkeeper and towards the empty net. There was an attempted goal line
clearance from the away side but both referee and linesman signalled that Palace had claimed the equaliser.

Play continued with Palace countering Saints possession when they broke free, but it was Southampton who had the next chance on 85 minutes when Jamie White shot toward the left side of the goal and Flinders hand put it into the side
netting.

Just as it seemed that it would be a draw despite all the chances, Palace popped up with a clear winner.

Striker Sean Scannell picked up the ball some 20 yards out of goal in a central position and fired a shot low and into
the bottom right hand corner of the net, for a 91st minute 3-2 winner.

So Palace claimed victory, although with their chances and possession during the 2nd half, Southampton will probably
feel disappointed not to have at least earned a point.

The Eagles have now leap frogged the Saints into 2nd spot, a point behind Charlton, although we have played more games
than both.

Next is a break from the league, with the Surrey cup 2nd round fixture at Chipstead next Tuesday evening.


Palace Team: Flinders (c), Clyne, Swaibu, Carolan, Hills, Green, Songo'o, Bostock, Hall, Scannell, Idrizaj

Subs: Sweeney, Bingham, Sheringham (For Songo'o '59), Abnett (For Hall '78), Dalhouse (For Carolan '78)


Match Stats:

Palace Shots/Headers: 9 (5 on target)
Southampton Shots/Headers: 15 (7 on target)

Palace Free Kicks: 7
Southampton Free Kicks: 10

Palace Corners: 3
Southampton Corners: 8

Palace Crosses: 8 (4 from right / 4 from left)
(Idrizaj 2, Songo'o 2, Hills 2, Hall 1, Clyne 1,
Southampton Crosses: 5


Posted by alan