July 17 2004

Glentoran v Palace

Andy Johnson fired home a hat-trick as the Eagles thrashed Glentoran 5-0 in the final game of their Northern Ireland tour.

DOUGIE FREEDMAN went close to netting early on but his strike crashed against the home side's crossbar. It rebounded to the Scot, who passed back to Johnson and he volleyed home the first goal on 22 minutes.

Johnson gave Palace a two-goal advantage going into the break with a strike in the 40th minute from Ben Watson's throughball.

Second half substitute Tommy Black continued his goalscoring form by adding two more goals. The first came from a Wayne Routledge cross moments into the second half which he nodded in and the second was a 12-yard effort from FREEDMAN's pass.

Johnson completed his hat-trick on 70 minutes, heading home Tyrone Berry's cross.

Iain Dowie's men return to London after a successful Irish tour - they beat Crusaders 2-0 on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, they travel to Woking (7.45pm) for their first friendly on English soil.

Palace first half: Speroni, Butterfield, Powell, Popovic, Granville, Routledge, Riihilathi, Watson, Borrowdale, Johnson, FREEDMAN.

Palace second half: Kiraly, Boyce, Hudson, Popovic (Togwell 70), Granville (Leigertwood 60), Routledge (Berry 65), Riihilathi, Watson (Soares 65), Black, Johnson, FREEDMAN (Williams 65).

Sub not used: Kolkka.

Glentoran v Palace photos