October 1 2002

Williams scored one and missed a penalty

Palace reserves kept up their fine form in the combination league with a 4-2 win at home to Plymouth.

Marino Keith gave the visitors a good start, scoring from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute after one of his team-mates was pushed in the box.

Dave Swindlehurst's side were back on level terms thanks to a Plymouth defender putting Julian Gray’s cross past his own keeper shortly after.

Andrejs Rubins then went on a good run past two defenders and his shot was saved by the keeper only to fall into the path of Gareth Williams.

Williams was being pulled back by a defender and as the whislte went for a penalty, Williams fired into the back of the net.

But the referee disallowed the goal and awarded the spotkick. Unfortunately, Williams took the penalty and missed it.

Palace made some changes at half-time and the move paid off as they scored a few minutes into the second period.

Dean Austin volleyed home from 10 yards following the Plymouth keeper’s punch-out from a corner.

Only a few minutes later, Plymouth equalised when Brian McGlinchley’s cross from 25 yards out somehow dipped over Scheuer and into the back of the net.

Williams made up for his missed penalty, scoring with a scorching drive to make it 3-2.

And with two minutes left on the clock, Palace made sure of the three points when Ben Surey headed home Williams’ knockdown from DAVID HUNT’s cross on the right.

Palace:Scheuer, Austin, Borrowdale, Derry (Surey 46), Togwell, Antwi, HUNT, R.Smith, Rubins (Watson 46), Williams, Gray.

Subs not used: Cronin, Gibson.