Full match report, following a strong reserve performance down at Fratton Park ...

A short trip down to the South coast and Portsmouth's Fratton Park, saw Palace come away worthy 3-1 winners in the latest FA reserve league fixture on Tuesday evening (23/11).

Kit Symons included one or two new young faces in the the squad that travelled, but once again a number of experienced players were given a run out to bolster their fitness for first team squad selection.

Pompey fielded a number of youth players, but included ex-England international Steve Stone (on the comeback trail from injury) and midfielder Kevin Harper in their numbers.

Palace started brightly though, and were soon getting forward and behind the home side.

The first goal came on 15 minutes, as Danze was free on the right and found space to pump a cross into the penalty box. Captain Neil Shipperley was on hand to challenge Pompey's young 'keeper Guatelli, and the goalie fumbled the ball, leaving Shipps free to tap home from close range to make it 1-0.

Palace decided not to rest on their laurels, and straight from the restart began another attack. Andrews picked up a loose ball and ran at the home side's defence, who were backing off from making a challenge.

Turning his first marker outside the area, Wayne then hit a shot that took a slight deflection of the next defender and cannoned into the corner of the net past the diving 'keeper for the second. Just under 20 minutes on the clock and 2-0.

Portsmouth attempted a reply on the Palace goal with an effort from Steve Stone shortly after, who let fly wide of goal with a shot.

Palace then saw the opportunity of more goals, and largely took control of the game. Not too many goal attempts were created again before half time, but Vassilis Lakis was used effectively as an outlet for most of the forward play for the rest of the half.

The second half began with two efforts from Pompey, after Lakis had been caught offside for Palace. First a corner was claimed by Speroni, who then made two more good saves just after the 50 minute mark. First was a stop from a free kick, followed minutes after by a diving save to his right to keep out a shot from Portsmouth's Duffy - that was tipped around the post.

Then on 56 minutes, and with a bit of confidence behind them, the home side claimed a goal back. Pompey won a corner, which was headed in by Kevin Harper past Speroni at
the near post.

Palace's reply was a move on 65 minutes, as Tommy Black was bought on in a forward midfield role to replace Wayne Andrews. First off - Danze linked up with Lakis on the right, before passing to Black who hit a shot on target that was saved. Tommy then made another forward run on the right just after, but had his run checked by the home defence.

Speroni was then called into action again on the 67th minute as he made another save from a shot, before Palace replied two minutes after with a double goal attempt.

First Guatelli made a good save from Sam Togwell's effort, that won Palace a corner. From the resulting corner kick Leigertwood won the header, but again the 'keeper made the save. Moments later Tom Soares blazed over the bar from distance with a long range attempt.

Two more shots came from the Eagles just after the 80th minute, resulting in another two saves for the home custodian. First off was a shot from subbstiute Aaron Fray,
followed up quickly by another on target attempt, this one from Danze. From the 'keeper's clearance, Portsmouth broke down the left flank, but at the end of the move was another comfortable save from Julian Speroni.

Then just before the final whistle, and with a minute to go, Palace claimed the winner.

Palace counter-attacked following a Portsmouth corner, and found young sub Louis Grabban in space around the penalty box. Doing well to take the ball past the advancing 'keeper, he held off a defender's challenge and did even better to score with a low shot from a tight angle.

3-1, and shortly thereafter, the final whistle.

Summing up - this was a much better and greatly improved performance from Palace over what was seen in the last match against Watford. Both of Palace's young subs (Fray and Grabban) did well when they came on, and Julian Speroni and Vas Lakis put in solid performances through the match, no doubt giving Iain Dowie some welcome choices when it comes to first team selection.

Palace now find themselves 5th in the league, six points behind league leaders Tottenham but with games in hand on all the teams above them.

The next four games are all at home, which gives the Eagles the ideal opportunity to close the gap even more.

Palace Team: (4-4-2) Speroni, Butterfield, Borrowdale, Togwell, Hudson, Leigertwood, Lakis, Soares, Shipperley (c), Andrews, Danze

Subs: Fray (For Leigertwood '73), Wilkinson, Black (For Andrews '62), Grabban (For Lakis '73), Starkey


Posted by alan