Full match report from last night's win at Selhurst ...

A sound performance from a Palace reserve side bristling with experience, ensured that the Eagles claimed the points in a 2-1 win against league leaders Southampton last night at Selhurst Park (12/10) in a game played in rain showers throughout.

The Saints bought their young side that had done so well so far for them this season, minus one or two fringe first team players such as Paul Telfer who had played the odd
game, but were never really in the match from an attacking point of view, not managing a shot on the Palace goal until late into the first half.

On the red and blue front, the side was pretty much the same as we saw in the away match at Coventry last week, with the addition of Vassilios Lakis on the right of midfield who had returned from international duties with Greece at the weekend.

Palace lined up in the usual formation, but once again with two right footed players playing on the left, in Leigerwood and Soares. After playing 60 minutes last week, Danny Butterfield this time managed 90 without any obvious reaction and could now go on to be part of this weekend's first team squad at Bolton.

After some early midfield tussling Palace's first chance came on 10 minutes.

Hudson put a pinpoint cross in from the right flank which was met by a far post Shipperley header, unfortunately into 'keeper Alan Blayney's arms. Six minutes later Danze cannoned a shot off a defender for a corner, after a lay off from Shipps.

Southampton's first reply was an edge of the area free kick that Eddie Anaclet put past the post.

Freedman then did well in the 22nd. As he attempted to chase a forward ball, he shrugged off the attentions of the first defender, before holding off the second with his back and laying the ball off to the right for the approaching Lakis. The shot had power, and again Blayney had to make a save, this time pushing the low drive around for a corner.

Palace then took the lead from a corner a minute or so later, as Freedman shot low past the goalkeeper into the bottom right of the net after Leigertwood placed the ball for him.

Saints then struggled to mount much in the way of a fightback, as Palace took the game to them, and could only managed a couple of long rangers that drifted wide of the goal.

Soares then nodded wide from a Derry corner just after the half hour and at the other end, Butterfield made a good last ditch tackle on Gillett, to win and put the ball out for a corner.

Palace then added the second in the 39th minute. First Butterfield played in Derry on the right, who sent a low cross into the area towards the direction of Freedman. The ball was cleared, but from the resulting corner after a goalmouth scramble six yards or so out, Tom Soares turned and shot into the net to make it 2-0.

That was the last attempt of the first half, with the Saints not managing anything on target of the Palace net, until right on half time when Cronin had to make an easy catch from distance.

The second half then began with a good run from Lakis in the 56th minute. Running onto a pass from Danze, who'd positioned himself in the middle, he was away down the right and bore down on the penalty area, driving a shot across goal and away from the left hand post. He busied himself again ten minutes later. This time he sped past two
players before forcing the 'keeper to make a low save to his left.

Four minutes after, Saints 'keeper Blayney had to be alert again as Shaun Derry went in for a thunderous challenge outside the box that saw the ball cannon back off him from an attempted clearance, and head towards goal where the goalie caught it mid-air.

Then there was a chance at either end just past 70 minutes. First Danze tried with an over the bar drive from distance, before at the the Palace end Cronin had to make his first save of note of the evening, as he tipped over a shot from Gillett. Saints followed that with a free kick over the bar a few minutes later, as they finally mounted a few spirited advances forward.

Almost right on the stroke of full time, they then claimed themselves a goal courtesy of a mistake from Lance Cronin. From around the edge of the area, Southampton midfielder
Griffit received a cross from the right and let fly with a shot that Cronin leant forward to stop. As he did, the ball unfortunately slipped through his fingers and then through his legs, straight into the net !

It was an unfortunate lack of concentration from the young Palace 'keeper, who'd hardly had much to do all evening, In his defence I guess, both the ball and the pitch were very wet.

That was though, virtually the last notable action of the game, and apart from the late Southampton raids towards Palace's goal, the match in an attacking sense was all Palace's.

As noted, Danny Butterfield looked a lot stronger after playing 60 minutes last week, and didn't appear too tired at the end. Lakis on the right was impressive, good at
breaking forward and taking on defenders around the box. He could well be pushing for a place in the first eleven starting line-up. Danze too looked eager to impress, and whilst he still perhaps has a little way to go before making the first team, he linked up well with Lakis and was quick to tackle and break up moves.

Dougie looked in eager mood, and busied himself early on around goal, although it was noticable at times how much he may have slowed over the years, as nine years ago he
certainly would have beaten the defence in some of the chases he was involved in during this match.

Palace should move up a few places after his result, which of course is dependant on the other matches this week, which go on into tomorrow.


Palace Team: (4-4-2) Cronin, Butterfield, Leigertwood, Derry, Togwell, Hudson, Lakis, Danze, Freedman, Shipperley, Soares

Subs: Smith (for Freedman '74), Banks, Grabban, R.Hall,
Fray

Match Stats:
Palace Shots/Headers: 13 (8 on target)
Southampton Shots/Headers: 10 (6 on target)

Palace Free Kicks: 8
Southampton Free Kicks: 14

Palace Corners: 11
Southampton Corners: 2

Palace Off-Side: 2
Southampton Off-Side: 1

Southampton Crosses: 3
Palace Crosses: 8 (4 from right/4 from left)
(Lakis 4, Leigertwood 4)


Posted by alan