August 7 2002

Steve Kabba

Stephen Kabba staked his claim for a call-up to the first team scoring four goals against Crawley Town, as Palace reserves won 4-0.

In the opening stages, Kabba and Andrejs Rubins looked dangerous and Gareth Williams had a shot saved by keeper Andy Little.

Little was called into action to save a Ben Watson effort, Rubins fired wide of the upright and forced Little into another save a few minutes before half-time.

But a minute before the interval, Kabba broke the deadlock as he ran onto a throughball and smashed a volley into the far corner of the net.

Kabba and Will Antwi went close and in the 55th minute, Kabba got another as he netted from Rubins' cross from the left.

Ben Surey had a 25-yard effort saved by the keeper as the Eagles totally dominated. Kabba got his hat-trick on 65, when he turned and fired home from close range.

Surey had another top volley, saved by Little and Crawley began to get back into the game a little.

But with five minutes remaining, Kabba got the fourth when Wayne Routledge's shot was saved by Little and Kabba rounded the keeper to score.

Palace: Kolinko, Hunt, Frampton, Surey, Antwi, Berhalter, Routledge, Watson, Williams, Kabba, Rubins.

Crawley: Little, Judge, Brake, Hemsley, Hooper, McCoy, Fear (Fear 88), Holmes, McDonnell, (Abbey 46) Stevens (Hockton 46), Patterson.