Fifth straight defeat as the reserves lose again

Defeat and disappointment continued for Palace reserves as they went down to their fifth straight defeat, and eighth defeat in the last nine games, against a young Coventry City side at Rugby Town FC.

Palace were already three down by half time after a brace from Thornton and one from Stern John. The final was only given an air of respectibility with a cracking late strike from distance by midfielder Lewwis Spence.

Dave Lewis was at the game and send in these thoughts:

“We didn't start playing until we were 3-0 down but from that point onwards the performance was acceptable. We put together some neat passing moves once we got going.

Mystery surrounded our number 11 who was listed as Jerahl Hughes, by quite clearly wasn’t. I’m guessing it may have been trialist da Costa - he was quite good even when his colleagues were asleep, but Dowie has since said he is taking that one no further.

The defence collectively struggled to cope with Stern John's physical presence and the Sky Blues tireless ginger midfielder, Thornton (looks and plays like Stuart McCall at his peak) who dominated the first half by himself.

Spence’s goal was as good as I have seen all year, absolute rocket.

No-one really stood out for us, Grabban made some good runs but not clinical enough in front of goal. . Our keeper Wilkinson at fault for 3rd goal, fumbled free kick in at near post.

We had a fair few shots but mainly long range.

The other small thing of note was the game was refereed by a woman, Amy Raynor, much better than Wendy Toms but then that’s not saying much”

The defeat now leaves Palace as low as 10th, with no game now until late January due to the Christmas break.

Palace Team: Wilkinson, Fray, Wilson, Borrowdale, Straker (Dayton 54), Berry, Spence, R.Hall, Trialist - da Costa?, Black, Grabban Subs not used: Banks, Swaibu, Peltonen, Kudjodi


Posted by alan