Reserves return to winning ways after cup fiasco

After the major disappointment of a heavy defeat in the Surrey cup last week, it was a return to winning ways for Palace reserves on Monday evening (7/11), with a
deserved 3-1 win away to Norwich City at Carrow Road.

With a gap in the first team fixture list there was a chance for Mark Hudson and Wayne Andrews amongst the returning injured players, to impress during a full
game. In response, Norwich also fielded a smattering of first teamers, including Peter Thorne in midfield and Simon Charlton at the back.

Palace started in bright fashion. Only 2 minutes on the clock and Andrews forced a corner. From that the same player then had his header saved, before Tyrone Berry
responded with a shot wide of the left post.

With just over 10 minutes on the clock Granville then played a free kick just wide of the left post following a foul on Andrews. Norwich responded with a Peter Thorne header into the arms of Julian Speroni and a long distance Charlton drive over the bar.

The next attempt of note also came to the home side, and fell to the feet of Thorne who scuffed a shot wide at the left hand post following a cross from the right wing.

Lewis Grabban then went close for the Eagles, twice in 5 minutes. First he was just beaten to the ball by Norwich 'keeper Darren Ward, before being unable to make the most of Tommy Black's ball just after. Andrews turned sharply and bore down on goal just minutes later, only to be fouled on the edge of the area. The resultant effort (again from Granville) curled just over the home goal.

Wayne Andrews then shot just over in the 41st, before scoring the opener right on the stroke of half time. With the ball breaking loose from Grabban's centre circle challenge, Tommy Black played the telling forward pass that Andrews ran onto before slotting past the 'keeper with a low shot.

Palace continued in attacking vein just after the break. Forcing another corner from Andrews wide play, Mark Hudson then had his header blocked near the post by the
covering defender. Then came another from strike from Wayne.

Good approach work down the left from Mikele Leigertwood ended with him putting an accurate cross into the penalty area. Letting the ball bounce in front him the Palace striker lashed a shot into the top right corner past the 'keeper, for the second Palace goal.

The next 10 minutes saw Palace continue in ascendancy with some promising forward play from Berry, Leigwertwood, Fray and Tommy Black who after turning a defender in the box
let fly with a rocket heading for the top corner that Ward did very well to keep out.

Norwich's next response of note was in the 72nd as Halliday's header drifted just wide of the Palace goal, before 3 minutes later came a goal back as Fleming headed home a corner whilst unmarked (a familiar sound of late). Palace hardly had time to be despondant though as moments afterwards Grabban surged down the right past Matthieu Louis-Jean and fired a shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net for the third.

Almost from the kick off, Palace were off again. This time it was begun by Tommy Black who played in Wayne Andrews for a left foot shot smashed into the side netting.

The final 15 minutes then played out with a couple of Norwich shots on target (from Smart and Thorne), whilst some more promising Palace approach work ended without
anyone taking advantage of being in a good finishing position.

A much better display all round, and the win propels Palace to 3rd in the reserve Premier league South table, although there are still remaining games to be played this week.

Watford at home next Wednesday beckons next.

Palace Team: (4-4-2) Speroni, Fray, Granville, Togwell, Hudson, Wilson, Berry, Leigertwood, Andrews, Black, Grabban

Subs: Wilkinson, Welch, Peltonen, Wiggins (For Hudson '65), Beckles (For Fray '80)



Posted by neil