Swindon 2-2 Palace

July 23 2006

Sandor Torghelle

Sandor Torghelle and Gary Borrowdale score the goals for the Eagles as they carve out a 2-2 draw with Denis Wise's Swindon Town.

Palace started the game with a strong lineup, partnering Torghelle and Jon Macken up front, Jobi McAnuff and Mark Kennedy on the flanks, and England Under 20 goalkeeper Scott Flinders in goal.

However it was Swindon who got off to the best start on 11 minutes with Jack Smith scuffing a shot from 8 yards out, after a pass from Ricky Shakes. Soon after Tom Soares, who was playing in centre midfield with Ben Watson, almost put McAnuff through on goal but was unable to convert his pass.

Palace, who were playing in their new grey away strip, had a penalty appeal when Jon Macken was clearly shoved in the box, but the Referee gave nothing.

Swindon took the lead when Welsh striker Christian Roberts held off a challenge from Darren Ward and fired past a helpless Flinders.

Things went from bad to worse for Palace soon after, when Danny Granville failed to clear the ball and it fell kindly to Jerel Ifil who lashed home the ball to make it 2-0 to the home team.

Torghelle, making his first appearance for Palace since April 30 2005, got one back for Palace shortly before half time. The Hungarian international scored from outside the box after picking the ball up from deep.

The Eagles changed almost the whole team at half time, with Gabor Kiraly making an appearance in goal, and Clinton Morrison partnering Lewis Grabban up front. Only Leon Cort and Ben Watson featured from the original starting line up.

Morrison was guilty of missing an easy chance at goal early in the second half after great work by Grabban.

However it wasn't long before Palace levelled the game up at 2-2. Gary Borrowdale picked the ball up from 30 yards out and slammed the ball right into the top corner.

Swindon pressed to get back into the game, and it wasn't long before Royce Brownlie, who came on as a second half substitute, struck the bar for Swindon.

Palace continued to have good chances themselves though, with Watson, who was captain in the second half, shooting just wide on 68 minutes after good work from Borrowdale and Morrison.

As the match came to a close both sides continued to have good chances to seal victory - Kiraly was forced into a flying save from a shot by Brownlie, and in injury time Grabban shot over the bar.

Overall, a good work out for most of the Palace squad, as they look forward to their first match at Selhurst Park this season against Portugese side Boavista on Wednesday evening.

Palace 1st Half: Scott Flinders, Danny Butterfield, Danny Granville, Leon Cort, Darren Ward, Jobi McAnuff, Ben Watson, Tom Soares, Mark Kennedy, Sandor Torghelle, Jon Macken