Under-23s edged out by Palace in seven-goal thriller

Despite staging a second-half comeback, our Under-23s ultimately fell to a 4-3 defeat away to Crystal Palace on Friday afternoon in the Premier League 2.

The hosts raced into a 3-0 lead at their training centre in south London with Jay Rich-Baghuelou, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Rob Street all finding the target within the opening 24 minutes. We battled back, though, and managed to reduce the deficit before the break with Alfie Devine prodding home from close range on the stroke of half-time. After the interval, we then flew out of the traps and quickly got ourselves back on terms – Dilan Markanday curling in on 57 minutes before Kallum Cesay drove home our leveller two minutes later.

However, it was not to be our day in Beckenham as Scott Banks bent home a decisive free-kick on 66 minutes to secure Palace all three points.

In the opening exchanges, there had been little between the sides, however, when centre-back Rich-Baghuelou rose highest at the far post to nod home Rak-Sakyi’s cross on five minutes, it was the men in red and blue that took firm control of proceedings.

With that lead in tow, the Eagles quickly kicked on with real vigour in their press and that almost delivered their second just two minutes later, only for Tobi Omole to produce a superb last-gasp challenge to deny to hosts. Yet, on 13 minutes, the defender could do nothing to deny Rak-Sakyi finding the back of the net, as the winger managed to get round full-back Cesay on the right before drilling past goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi at his near post.

Despite Palace’s dominance, we were having opportunities of our own and immediately from the restart, following the hosts’ second, we should have been on the scoresheet with Markanday drawing a fine save from Joe Whitworth before Cesay and Devine both had efforts blocked on the line. Moments later, we were then made to rue missing those opportunities as, after Palace themselves wasted two good openings through Rak-Sakyi and Street, the latter reclaimed possession in our defensive third and curled into the far corner for number three on 24 minutes.

Leading 3-0, the Eagles looked comfortable, yet it was clear in our response that we still believed we could get something out of the game. Looking to at least register before the break, both Harvey White and Markanday showed ambition, drawing good saves out of Whitworth as the first half came to a close. Then, in the final seconds of injury time, we managed to get on the scoresheet with Devine registering from close range after great work from Yago Santiago on the left.

That strike gave us real impetus and after the break, we flew into action knowing the next goal would be crucial. We nearly had that on 56 minutes, only for Devine’s glancing header from a corner to crash against the post. Just 60 seconds later though, after easing into the Palace box, Markanday used the woodwork to his advantage, curling the ball off the left stick to bring us within touching distance.

Then, just two minutes later, we were level. Again, it was impressive play from Markanday down the right which brought about the opportunity. He worked his way into the box, found space and then managed to spot the on-running Cesay, who, in turn, picked out the bottom corner.

Back level, it looked like we would go and build on our recovery however, the hosts had different ideas. After winning a free-kick on the edge of our box on 66 minutes, Banks stepped up to curl home from the set-piece and restore Palace’s advantage.

The goal was a sucker punch to our comeback, as once again, we had to show real heart and character to go in search of parity once more. We pressed until the last with Cesay, who had been pushed further forward on the left wing following the introduction of Maksim Paskotsi, having two good opportunities to draw us level. The defender, however, could not keep his efforts on target, leaving us empty handed come the final whistle.

‘We let them off the hook’

Under-23s Coach Wayne Burnett was frustrated by the manner in which his side defended in the first half as they fell 3-0 behind, however, with the team having shown great character to get back level, there was also disappointment in heading back to north London empty handed.

“I think we showed character to come back into the game but, at the same time, in the way we defended, you can’t demonstrate those behaviours,” he said. “In terms of defending the box, you can’t expect to win a football match if you behave that way and be three goals down. At 3-3, I thought we were in the ascendancy - we kind of let them off a hook a little bit.”

Match data

Goals: Palace - Rich-Baghuelou 5, Rak-Sayki  13, Street 24, Banks 66; Spurs - Devine 45, Markanday 57, Cesay 59.

Yellow cards: Palace – Malachi Boateng 40, Roberton 80; Spurs – John 75.

Referee: Daniel Lamport.

Venue: Crystal Palace training centre.

Weather: Overcast with spells of sunshine, 16 degrees.