Hammers ressies reverse Cardiff score

An ultimately disappointing evening saw Palace go down to a 1-0 away defeat to West Ham on Wednesday (11/8), following the club's first fixture in the FA reserve premier league South after a seven season absence.

The single goal came courtesy of a second half strike by the Hammers ex-Millwall youngster Moses Ashikodi, but if not for more clinical first half Palace finishing and a good performance by ex-Walsall 'keeper James Walker, the Eagles could have had the game sewn up early doors.

Slightly surprisingly given that the Premier league is only a few days away, Palace included a number of current fringe first teamers. West Ham's only concession was to play Adam Nowland (last season of Wimbledon) and the aforementioned Walker, a close season signing, who has repeatedly impressed when Walsall have played Palace in the past.

Answering the question of who might be in charge, it wasn't a surprise to see Bob Dowie on the pitch before the game and also overseeing things at half time. Manager and brother Iain turned up at half time as well for a chat on the pitch.

On 8 minutes, a half chance presented itself. A good through ball from Watson (playing in central midfield despite his number 4) saw Freedman just miss the ball. Five minutes after that Dougie prodded a shot over Walker and also just over the bar from inside the box.

Freedman involved again in the 25th minute. This time a pass from a central position to the left of the penalty area saw Tommy Black (playing left midfield for the first
half) stroke a shot low towards Walker.

Dougie was looking in a lively mood, and made a threat of himself again just after half an hour. Running at the defence, he struck a shot towards the diving 'keeper. Minutes later his strike partner Gareth Williams went closer still. Flicking the ball over the defence, he drove a shot across goal but just wide of the right hand post.

One minute later - yet another - this time Williams opted to blast wide of the left post though, after Freedman picked up a sliced clearance. West Ham's reply, apart from young striker Greg Pearson looking lively on the right, was a solitary effort from the same youngster, who nipped past Powell (after he missed the ball on the right of the penalty area) and poked a shot under Berthelin's body that lacked a lot of pace and enabled Sam Togwell to cut across and kick clear off the line.

Just before the half time break Walker made another close range save, this one from Tommy Black's attempt.

The misses were to prove costly, as the Irons eventually started to take the game to their opponents in the second half. McClenahan cut in from the right nine minutes after the restart, and after running across the defence and the edge of the box struck the ball goalward, forcing Berthelin to make a save for the corner.

Palace replied with another Williams try. Skipping over a tackle, he blasted the ball across the goal and over the bar. Shortly afterward, Freedman who had been hobbling
a bit, departed to be replaced by trialist Onouchie, and was seen clutching his right thigh on the touchline whilst warming down.

The one goal arrived in the 72nd minute, as Ashikodi as noted hit a low shot in the corner of the net past Berthelin, after robbing Soares of possession of the ball.

Whilst West Ham had plenty of second half possession in the Palace half, it was still the Eagles who looked more threatening coming forward, especially left back/left winger Nathan Simpson, who came on for Darren Powell and caused havoc for the home side with a number of runs and attempted crosses.

Palace finished strongly in the last 15 minutes. One chance from Williams (an outstretched boot to a cross went over the bar) and two from Onochie (a low hard shot at Walker and a back flick from Black's corner that drifted just wide), but ultimately they paid the price for not converting one of the many chances and should have had a lead by the first half's end.

Some positives on the pitch, but the odd worry as well, as Palace picked up a few possible injuries. Apart from the Freedman problem, Berthelin looked to be suffering from an upset stomach, El-Sahali was treated for a collision (as was Soares) and Dolan departed in the first ten minutes after looking to have pull a thigh muscle !

With the hiccup over, let's hope the first team fare a lot better this coming weekend.

Palace Team: (4-4-2) Berthelin, Togwell, Borrowdale, Watson, Powell (c), El-Sahali, Soares, Dolan, Freedman, Williams, Black

Subs: Berry (For Dolan '7), Wilkinson, Simpson (For Powell '46), Conroy, Onouchie (For Freedman '60)

Match Stats:

Palace Shots/Headers: 10 (4 on target)
West Ham Shots/Headers: 8 (4 on target)

Palace Free Kicks: 10
West Ham Free Kicks: 14

Palace Corners: 2
West Ham Corners: 3

Palace Off-Sides: 4
West Ham Off-Sides: 2

West Ham Crosses: 5
Palace Crosses: 6 (5 from left / 1 from right)
(Simpson 3, Borrowdale 1, Soares 1, Black 1)


Posted by alan