Oh we do like to be beside the seaside



Palace fared rather better than ten days ago away at relegation haunted club, but this game was hardly the stuff legend and in truth, Palace were probably lucky to win.

Both sides started the game tentatively, with Southend's impressive Kevin Maher having the first effort on goal, but he curled a long-range effort wide. The Shrimpers were struggling to break through the Palace defence, but in the 19th minute Lewis Hunt broke forward from defence and played a fine cross to former palace striker Lee Bradbury, who fluffed the chance. Gabor Kiraly then made an outstanding save from a Richie Foran header.

It took until the 30th minute for the Eagles to have their first attempt on goal, with Clinton Morrison firing straight at Daryl Flahavan from James Scowcroft's flick on.
Peter Taylor brought Dougie Freedman on for defender Danny Butterfield at half-time in a bid to spark some life into his side and they started well, although Freddie Eastwood should have done better with a shot hit straight hit Kiraly. In the 62nd minute, a corner from Maher was cleared into the path of Mark Gower and his deflected shot looked to be creeping in but Gabor Kiraly made another fantastic save.
Moments later, Palace had the lead, James Scowcroft's deep cross from the right was met by Clinton Morrison and his blocked shot fell to Ifill, who slammed a shot across Flahavan to give the Eagles a lead that they didn’t really look like losing thereafter.
Dougie Freedman should have made it 2-0 moments later, but his first-time shot flashed wide.
Peter Taylor introduced Lewis Grabban to his first taste of League Football and he looked lively. Dave Martin also managed to get on for at least one touch before the end.

Palace: Kiraly, Lawrence, Hudson, Cort, Borrowdale, Ifill (Martin 90), Fletcher, Kennedy, Butterfield (Freedman 45), Morrison (Grabban 82), Scowcroft. Subs Not Used: Speroni, Ward.

Goals: Ifill 65.

Southend Flahavan, Hunt, Sodje, Clarke, Wilson (Harrold 79),Campbell-Ryce (Francis 83), Maher, Gower, Foran, Bradbury, Eastwood. Subs Not Used: Collis, Prior, Moussa.

Att: 10,419
Ref: L Probert (Gloucestershire).


Posted by neil