July 14 2009

USA

Crystal Palace UK won their first match of their American tour beating Crystal Palace USA 5-2.

Neil Warnock fielded a strong line-up for the match against Palace USA, with new boys Freddie Sears and Darren Ambrose making an appearance.

Victor Moses was also given a starting place - after Neil Warnock persuaded England U-19 manager Brian Eastick to release him from playing in the U19 European Championships this month, so he could travel with the squad to America.

Palace UK had a great start when after only 12 minutes Sears crossed to Alan Lee who finished well to make it 1-0.

3 minutes later, Palace Baltimore had their first real chance of the game which came through Pat Healey, however Julian Speroni continued his good work from last season and saved well.

Palace Baltimore continued to press their UK counterparts and were rewarded with an equaliser on 18 minutes, through their leading goal scorer Val Teixeira. The Portuguese midfielder, who played in 5 games for Chesterfield last season in League Two, finished well past Speroni.

Straight after the restart, Baltimore almost had two in one minute, when striker Jordan Seabrook headed against the post.

Palace UK fought back with a few chances at goal, before Neil Danns headed in a cross from Alan Lee, but the linesman ruled the effort out for offside.

Palace UK did finsh the first half a goal ahead when a cross was turned into his own net by Zack Flores.

Palace USA made two changes at the break with Billy Chiles replacing Brian Rowland in goal, and Machel Millwood coming on for Dan Lader.

Palace UK made it 3-1 in the 52nd minute through a great strike by the on-loan Sears.

On 57 minutes Baltimore almost reduced the deficit when Robson crossed a great ball into Seabrook whose shot took a deflection wide.

It only took Seabrook a couple more minutes though to get on the scoresheet when Healey provided him with a great cross to make it 3-2.

Warnock made a number of substitutions in the second half with the likes of Sean Scannell, Danny Butterfield and Alassane N'Diaye getting a run out.

It was N'Diaye who restored Palace UK's 2 goal advantage on 70 minutes making it 4-2 with a nice move.

In injury time Palace UK scored their fifth goal, through another own goal from Flores.

Line-ups

Palace UK: Speroni (Flahaven), Clyne (Butterfield), Hill (Hills), McCarthy, Fonte (N'Diaye), Ambrose (Comley), Derry (Ertl), Danns (Carle), Sears (Lawrence), Lee (Scannell), Moses (Cadogan)

Palace USA: Rowland (Chiles), Pierce, Robson, Basso (Adelusimi), Healey, Harada, Flores, Teixeira (Du Lalo), Harkin (Gnatiko), Seabrook, Lader (Millwood)