December 13 2004

Tom Soares

TOM SOARES netted for the reserves in a 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal in the Premiership Reserve League South.

The Eagles got off to a terrible start when the Gunners went a goal up after just three minutes. Quincy Owusu-Abeyie fed Stephen O'Donnell on the left and he got the better of Danny Butterfield to score from inside the box.

Butterfield and Sebastian Larsson both went close with long-range efforts. Keeper Philippe Senderos then thwarted Vassilis Lakis with a good stop after Ivan Kaviedes had flicked on Mikele Leigertwood's cross and Sandor Torghelle fired wide.

Palace levelled the scores in the 26th minute. Shaun Derry's took a short corner to Butterfield and his cross was nodded back across goal from Sandor Torghelle and SOARES netted with a diving header.

Sorondo put an effort over the bar from another corner and Kaviedes twice beat the Gunners' defence but hit his shots wide of goal.

In the second half, Julian Speroni saved a close-range strike from Skulason. Down the other end, Arsenal keeper Michael Jordan made a great save from Kaviedes who palmed his shot around the post.

Stephen O'Donnell could have sneaked a late winner for the visiting side but Speroni was hand to make a good save to keep the scores level.

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Hudson, Sorondo (Togwell 57), Leigertwood, Lakis (Danze 57), SOARES, Derry, Black (Kaviedes 13), Andrews, Torghelle.

Subs not used: Banks, Berry.

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