Crystal Palace 2 Torquay United 1
Carling Cup Round 1
Attendance: 3,140 (Away 419)
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United went down to the odd goal in three in a Carling Cup match that came to life in the second half. United struggled to get any meaningful possession in the first 45 minutes but gave a good account of themselves in the second period and scored a fine equalizer thanks to a Tim Sills header.
Two changes for the Gulls; skipper Chris Hargreaves was replaced by Tyrone Thompson in central midfield and new signing Kieran Charnock made his debut at the back in place of the injured Lee Mansell. As a result of the changes Mark Ellis and Ben Joyce were promoted to the bench.
The first half was a 45 minutes dominated by the home side but United were nothing if not dogged in their defence their goal. The early pressure came from Palace and they forced a number of corners without reply during the first fifteen minutes with Scott Bevan seeing more of the ball than any other player on the pitch during this spell. Like Chesterfield at the weekend Palace were restricted to mainly long range shooting while at the other end Speroni in the home goal was nothing more than a spectator. United though were certainly winning the singing competition with the packed Gulls' area of the Family Stand at Selhurst Park making a constant noise throughout the opening period.
Gradually, United did manage to produce some passages of play that caused the Palace defence to break sweat but despite some neat work by Rendell and Stevens a clear cut opportunity wasn't forthcoming.
The experienced Alan Lee was giving Chris Todd a full evening's work but Toddy is nothing if not a fighter and was putting up a manful fight but Scott Bevan's clean sheet was hanging precariously by a thread at times, none more so then when Danns cut in from the left and struck a right foot shot that cannoned off Bevan's crossbar and out for a goal kick.
United were struggling to get the ball far enough up the pitch where they could trouble the Palace defence but they were holding on at the other end. Palace hit the woodwork again on the stroke of half-time after a foul by Chris Robertson, for which he was booked, the resultant free-kick was floated to the far post where Danns hit the outside of the post with a snap-shot.
No goals at the break but United were living dangerously.
Half-Time: 0-0
United started the second half brightly and almost took the lead three minutes after the re-start; a good move from left to right finished with Danny Stevens spraying the ball out to Carlisle and his cross was met by the head of Scott Rendell but Butterfield blocked on the line and the ball was cleared to safety.
Shortly afterward and Stevens again got free, this time down the left, but his cross eluded everyone in the box and was cleared at the far post. At the other end Palace should finally have scored when Danns ghosted in at the far post and from eight yards volleyed the ball wide of the post with Scott Bevan stood helpless.
Goal: Palace 1 (Ambrose 64) United 0
The first goal when it came was not a good one to concede from United's viewpoint; Danns turned Nicky Wroe around on the left touchline before whipping a cross in that was met six yards out by an unmarked Darren Ambrose. It had been coming, especially on the balance of play in the first half, but was a disappointing way to fall behind no matter who the opposition was.
United responded well and a fine cross from the right by Wayne Carlisle was cleared for a corner off the toes of Rendell and from the resultant set-piece Chris Robertson headed narrowly over the Palace crossbar. Moments later and Tim Sills had a header saved by Speroni as the Gulls came to life.
Substitution: Carayol & Benyon for Stevens & Rendell 70
Goal: Palace 1 United 1 (Sills 74)
The double change by Bucks made an almost immediate impact; Elliot Benyon was fouled 35 yards out and from the Nicholson free-kick Tim Sills rose above the Palace defence and sent his header into the top left hand corner of Speroni's goal.
Goal: Palace 2 (Ambrose pen 76) United 1
United had hauled themselves back into the match with a fine headed goal but two minutes later they fell behind for a second time. Chris Todd was adjudged to have pulled down N'Diaye inside the United area and the referee had no hesitation in awarding the spot kick which was summarily despatched by Ambrose for his second goal.
Kieran Charnock tested Speroni with a header from 15 yards with 4 minutes left for play as United pushed for an equalizer although the match was very open and Palace wasted more than one good situation of their own.
Substitution: Brough for Thompson 90
The match ended with the Championship side on the attack but United had produced a second half performance far more in keeping with their usual persona. Crystal Palace showed United a great deal of respect by fielding their strongest possible line-up and were content with keeping the ball in the corner at the death which is a testament to the never-say-die attitude of Paul Buckle and his players.
Final Score: Palace 2 United 1
United: Bevan; Robertson, Todd, Charnock, Nicholson, Carlisle, Wroe, Thompson, Stevens, Sills ©, Rendell. Subs: Brough, Ellis, Benyon, Rice (gk), Hodges, Carayol, Joyce.
