Reserves On Target
Posted on: Thu 21 Aug 2008
Crystal Palace 3
Ifill 2, Ertl 15, Djilali 65.
Charlton 1
Fleetwood 81.
Crystal Palace Reserves started their Combination league campaign in fine form last night with a 3-1 win over Charlton Athletic.
Goals were the order of the day straight from the start when right back Nathanial Clyne broke down the right wing and crossed the ball to a waiting Paul Ifill who put the ball past Rob Elliot.
The visiting side were put under further pressure with the impressive James Dayton showing his credentials for a first team place as he caused havoc out on the left wing.
After a succession of Eagles corners Ben Watson turned provider on the 15th minute. His in swinging corner into the box caused all sorts of problems as the ball rebounded off of two Addicks players before finally finding the net thanks to Johnny Ertl from close range.
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Despite the deficit Mark Kinsella's reserve side continued to move the ball around the pitch in a bid to unlock the Eagles tight line.
The Addicks had their best chance of the half when some fantastic one touch play between Darren Ambrose, Svetoslav Todorov, Carl Jenkinson and Steve Lozano-Calderon, allowed the Colombian winger to send Amborse clear, only for the flag to intervene.
After half-time the Addicks were left incensed after believing that an Eagles player handled the ball in the box, but the referee quickly waved play on.
Watson would again turn provider on the 65th minute after his corner took a couple of deflections before falling to second half substitute Kieran Djilali at an awkward height.
The young wideman performed an acrobatic bicycle kick from six yards to put the Eagles three goals to the good.
Stuart Fleetwood managed to grab a consolation goal on the 81st minute after being put through by Lozano-Calderon and the striker kept his cool to strike the ball past an onrushing David Wilkinson.
Crystal Palace: Wilkinson; Clyne, Ertl, Fonte, Hills (Abnett 46); Ifill (Djilali 46), Comley, Watson, Freedman, Drayton; Kuqi (Thomas 65).
Subs (not used): Bingham, Dalhouse
Charlton: Elliot; Jenkinson, Long, Sinfield, Solly (Clark 70); Lozano-Calderon, Wright, Yussuff, Ambrose (Tuna 58); Fleetwood, Todorov (Godfrey 58).
Subs (not used): Christie, Stavrinou.
