Heavy away defeat in the reserve premier league

Having only recently conceded five goals in a reserve fixture, it may come as a surprise to see it happen again so soon. Nonetheless, Palace's second eleven succumbed to a 5-0 defeat away at Tottenham last night (23/11) in a game that saw return to a few familiar faces.

First up was the sight of Wayne Routledge lining up for the first time against Palace.

The right winger of course signed for the lillywhites during pre-season but has missed the last four months ironically due to injury.

On the Palace front, both Jon Macken and Aki Riihilahti had parts to play as they attempt to win back full fitness and a place in the first team squad.

Both sides lead from the start with reasonably strong choices, and Spurs also included a number of other first teamers such as Anthony Gardner, Andy Reid, Noe Pamerot and Gregor Raziak. With a number of names on display, it was no surprise that they had the best of the early play.

The opening several minutes saw a number of chances on the Palace goal. An early cross from the right saw Keiran McKenna head just wide of the Palace goal, and shortly thereafter there were a couple of shots straight at Julian Speroni.

Palace replied with a sortee down the left wing just before 10 minutes. Hall squared the ball across centrally to Leigertwood who struck the ball well on target, but unfortunately straight at the 'keeper.

From this Spurs worked the ball forward quickly, and after a mix up between Riihilahti and Moses Swaibu, midfielder Lee Barnard was left with the chance to shoot on goal, which he did with a low shot that beat Julian Speroni and nestled into the corner of the net for 1-0.

Palace's best response came just over 10 minutes later. Macken was away down the right and played a good ball forward for Tommy Black, who chested the ball down and fired a shot just past the left hand goal post. From a resulting Black corner, Ryan Hall then blazed a shot
over the bar.

26 minutes into the match and Palace found themselves two down. Pamerot attempted to get past Anthony Straker and into the Palace box, before appearing to slip and fall over. A penalty was given harshly and Barnard converted it into the bottom left hand corner as Speroni dove to his right.

Just after half an hour, and Palace replied with another forward run as Leigertwood collected the ball around the centre circle and darted forward before unleashing a fierce shot just wide of the left post that had goalkeeper Cemy well beaten.

Tottenham then replied with shots just wide from both Reid and Rasiak, both wide of the right goal post, whilst Grabban for Palace shot straight at the 'keeper when played in by Tommy Black.

Jon Macken and Wayne Routledge then both departed the pitch at half time, and the second half began with two wasted free kick's from the home side, following some crude challenges from both Black and Riihilahti.

Palace's response was with two attempts of their own. First Grabban takes the ball around 'keeper Cemy, but lacking pace, his effort is cleared off the line by Pamerot. Riihilahti is then played through by Hall a few minutes after, but his toe poked stub goes just past the post.

Then after the Spurs 'keeper has saved at the feet of Hall, minutes later Andy Reid attempted a lobbed goal for Tottenham that had Speroni making an excellent save to fingertip the ball away. Unfortunately one good thing then lead to a bad one, as his attempted clearance cannoned
back off of Reid's backside and into an open goal for 3-0. Sloppy and careless.

Despite Palace pushing forward they then conceded a fourth in the 84th minute as an attempted clearance only reached Spurs substitute Barcham on the edge of the area who drove a shot into the Palace net.

Finally, the same player then added a fifth with only one minute remaining. Cutting in from the right wing, he eluded both Straker and Wilson before firing a left footed shot low into the net for 5-0.

Despite the disappointment, the side will have an early opportunity to make amends, as the very next fixture is at home next Monday night against Southampton.

Palace Team: (4-4-2) Speroni, Fray, Straker, Wilson, Swaibu, Riihilahti, Leigertwood, Black, R.Hall, Macken, Grabban

Subs: Wilkinson, Peprah-Annan (For Macken '46), Starkey (For Leigertwood '58), Spence, Lyons (For Riihilahti '58)


Posted by alan