October 9 2002

Gareth Williams

Gareth Williams staked a claim for a call-up to the first team as he scored a hat-trick in the reserves' 3-2 win away to Gillingham.

Gillingham took the lead with only three minutes gone on the clock when Danny Spiller fired past young keeper Lance Cronin from Andrew Drury's pass.

Palace equalised in the 17th minute. Williams' first effort was saved by Vince Bartram but the ball went back out to Williams and he made no mistake to score.

Jones Awuah put the Gills back in the lead from Mark Saunders' through-ball until Williams' scambled goal from a corner pegged it back to 2-2 in the 58th minute.

And with eight minutes remaining, Williams claimed a well-deserved hat-trick blasting a left-foot shot past the hapless Bartram to seal the win.

Palace: Cronin, Austin, Borrowdale, Frampton, Antwi, Togwell (Heeroo 60), Hunt, Derry (Watson 65), Black, Williams, Gray.

Subs not used: Surey, Dobson, Symons.