April 12 2008

Clinton Morrison

Crystal Palace moved another step closer to the play-offs with a comfortable 2-0 win over relegation threatened Scunthorpe, writes Simon Pophale.

Neil Warnock made changes from the win at Stoke, Danny Butterfield started at right-back and Lee Hills returned to the bench.

Scunthorpe were fighting for their own survival and made a bright start, Grant McCann sending over a few dangerous crosses from free-kicks as the Iron set their stall out.

Victor Moses had our first real effort of the match, forcing Joe Murphy into action after a four-man move from the midfield.

With play-off places at a premium any mistake could see us knocked out of them and a nervy back header from Hudson on 14 minutes let in Martin Paterson but Speroni managed to thwart the 14-goal hitman.

However the nerves would dissipate on 20 minutes as we took the lead following a fine move. Scott Sinclair harried and won the ball on the halfway line and sent Moses away on the left.

The youngster turned the Scunthorpe defence left and right before crossing dangerously into the box and although MORRISON took an airshot at the ball, it was met by the on-rushing Tom Soares on the right and he put the ball into the net.

We were now playing some confident passing football on the deck and with the absence of Scowcroft, used the pace of the young players and with Warnocks “in your face, up and at-‘em” style, Scunthorpe were put on the back foot.

Moses could have scored following a superb cross field ball from Fonte, but Murphy denied him with a flying save.

So, it was no surprise when we went 2-0 ahead with five minutes of the first half remaining. Sinclair, who was giving the Iron a nightmare with his running, again won the ball on the halfway line and his flick to MORRISON was only bettered by Clinton himself, finding Soares with the back of his heel.

Soares then found Moses and his cross was met this time perfectly by MORRISON who buried the ball, whipped off his shirt in relief at ending his scoring drought and was booked for his trouble. Still, 2-0 at half-time and we were cruising.

Nigel Adkins sent his team out early for the second half and although Scunthorpe again started the half well, they faded and the longer the half went on, the more Speroni became a spectator.

Sinclair could have had one himself after being set up by MORRISON, but he shot over when well placed on 68 minutes and MORRISON too had a chance on 74 minutes from close range, but the ball went inches over the bar.

Scunthorpe threw people forward in a desperate attempt to get back into the game. The post was rattled following a corner but with men committed to attack, they were left vulnerable at the back and with the pace of Sinclair and Sean Scannell, on as a sub, we looked the more likely to score.

ANDY Butler skied what was Scunthorpe’s last chance as he shot over from eight yards out and while a long ball from Speroni found another sub, Ashley Robinson, his ball to Scannell saw the Irish youngster shoot inches wide as the clock wound down.

At the final whistle, it signalled the end of a great week for Palace, but Scunthorpe’s players slumped to the ground, stood mesmerised as they contemplated relegation back to League One. While they got an ovation at the end, they had simply been outplayed.

The promotion dream goes on!

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Hill, Hudson, Fonte, Watson, Derry (Fletcher 73), Soares, Sinclair, MORRISON(Robinson 82), Moses (Scannell 65)

Subs not used: Hills, Reid.