November 13 2002

Gareth Williams

Palace reserves beat Cheltenham Town this afternoon 5-0, with Gareth Williams scoring four of the goals.

The match was played this afternoon at Palace's Beckenham training ground, and featured Kit Symons who is continuing to get fully match fit, after a long period on the sidelines due to injury.

Cheltenham started the brighter of the two sides, but Palace could have scored after 23 minutes - Steve Thomson guilty of missing a great chance.

Three minutes later Palace did open the scoring through reserves superstar Williams. Cheltenham failed to clear the ball, and it fell nicely for Williams to tuck the ball home.

Williams continued his scoring spree on 44 minutes, sloting the ball home after good work in midfield.

On 65 minutes Karem Bashkal played a neat one-two with Gavin Heeroo, and his shot was impressively saved by Cheltenham keeper.

Tommy Black extended Palace's lead a minute later, pouncing on a loose ball, after Ben Watson had been tackled. He went past Robins defender Bryan Smith, and saw his shot find the back of the net.

In the 74th minute Williams completed an impressive hatrick, giving Cheltenham's keeper no chance with his shot.

Williams was not finished yet though, and soon put his fourth goal (Palace's fifth) past the dispairing Higgs.

Williams has now scored an amazing 11 goals in four games for the reserves. With a scoring record like this, Trevor Francis will have to sit up and take note.

Palace: Cronin, Gibson, Symons (Heeroo 59), Antwi, Hunt, Thomson (Watson 59), Smith, Surey, Black (Dobson 70), G Williams, Bashkal.

Cheltenham Town: Higgs, Smith (A Howarth 85), Griffin, S Duff, L Williams, Connolly, Milton, Bird, Buttery; Spencer, Corbett (Davis 59).

Subs not used: Edwards and Williams.