Scoreless game for the reserves on a cold evening in Kent

First faced off against second in the combination league last night as Palace travelled to Charlton (at Ebbsfleet) on a cold evening in Kent, and in front of a small crowd of less than 100 came away with their first 0-0 result of the season at reserve level.

In a game of few chances, the home side fielded the stronger line-up, including several of their first team squad (Holland, Racon, Varney, McLeod, Bougherra and Sankofa) while Palace gave a reserve team debut to John Bostock after he had already appeared of course for the first team.

Starring also for the Eagles were Scott Flinders, and returning from the flu and an injury respectively - Dave Martin and Lee Hills, while Besian Idrizaj and Jeff Hughes were also in the starting eleven.

It was the Addicks who had the first strike on goal. with only 2 minutes on the clock Scott Flinders was called into action to make a good diving save, coming out to meet ex-Crewe striker Varney's attempt on goal.

Ashley-Paul Robinson then replied for Palace several minutes later, as he turned onto Dave Martin's cross from the left wing by firing just wide of the right hand post. Several minutes later Jamie Smith (playing up front) also had a go, when he advanced on goal past his nearest man but blasted a shot well over.

That was about it for the first period, with Palace on top in terms of possession but little at either end of the pitch to show.

Shots flying wide seemed to be the order of the day in the cold, as Palace after the break had a couple more in a similar vein. First there was one from Ryan Hall in a central position from distance, and then Robinson again with another strike - again also wide of the right hand post.

With almost an hour on the clock, Palace did test the 'keeper though. Ryan Hall thumped a shot from outside
the area on target and charlton goalie Robert Elliot had to dive to his left to stop the shot.

Charlton finally mustered an attempt on their own with 70 minutes on the clock. Luke Varney picked up a pass in a position on the left, but didn't threaten as he chose to shoot straight at Flinders.

Ashley Robinson continued to be a nuisance for Charlton down the right wing, and chanced his luck with two more shots wide of the goal between 70 and 75 minutes. The home side then mustered one further half chance before the finish, but as Varney tried to get clear of Jeff Hughes, Dave Martin tracked back to tackle before appearing to injury his ankle and being substituted with only a minute left in the match.

Palace could have claimed all the points in the final moments on the game, but goalkeeper Elliot blocked Ryan Hall's attempt in the box with his legs, and the ball rebounded safely.

So the table remains the same with Charlton first and Palace second, the Eagles next match is a trip to Loftus
road next Wednesday for an afternoon kick off.

Palace Team: Flinders, Clyne, Hills, Hall, Swaibu, Hughes, Robinson, Bostock, Idrizaj, Smith, Martin

Subs: Bingham (For Bostock '78), Carolan (For Martin '89), Sweeney, Djilali


Posted by alan