U18 Report: Crystal Palace 1-1 Saints

Saints went ahead just after half time through Josh Pitts' low strike, but Palace hit back through an acrobatic volley from Jesse Derry in a game where both sides had a man sent off.

Crystal Palace made a fast start and forced smart action from Saints goalkeeper Khiani Shombe, the second of which saw David Obou shoot straight at the visiting shot-stopper from close range.

Shombe was again called into action as he denied Derry’s shot, after he had cut in from the right, and then comfortably claimed Sean Somade’s header from a corner.

Saints went a whisker away from grabbing the lead after neat play saw Pitts played into a promising position, but his low ball across the box flew agonisingly across goal.

Better chances for both sides were to come as the first half drew to a close; Sufianu Sillah-Dibaga beat his man for pace and saw his poked effort parried away.

Palace were then unable to make the most of a goalmouth scramble after they'd caught out Saints in possession at the back.

Early in the second half, though, Saints hit the ground running and took the lead on 54 minutes.

Possession was won high in the Palace half and Pitts advanced to the edge of the penalty area before sending a skidding shot inside the near post.

Then followed a spell of real confidence in the game for Calum McFarlane’s side, and they almost made it two when Korban McMullan’s lofted corner delivery was headed onto the top of the net by Max Fry.

Further pressure was put on Palace just after the hour mark when defender George King was sent off for two bookable offences, meaning that Saints had the chance to make their numerical advantage count for the final stages.

However, this rallied the hosts as they upped the tempo themselves, leading to a spectacular, acrobatic equaliser scored from Derry.

Having not been able to utilise their man advantage, Saints were also reduced to 10 men late on when Fry was shown his second yellow card of the contest.

The game ended level, and Saints next return in action on Saturday 31st August when they host Aston Villa at Staplewood, with kick off at 12pm.

Crystal Palace: Hill, Whyte, Cowin, Walker-Smith, Somade (Muwana 67), King, Adams-Collman, Williams (c), Casey, Obou (Dashi 74), Derry (Lameiras 87).

Subs not used: Mason, Redhead.

Goals: Derry 75.

Yellow Cards: King, Williams.

Red Cards: King.

Saints: Shombe, Adjei-Afriyie, Dobson-Ventura (c) (Okonola-Matthews 80), Fry, Goremusandu , McMullan, Pitts, Martin, Oyekunle, Gathercole (Emsden-James 90+2), Sillah Dibaga (Bassega 83).

Subs not used: Upstell, Quartey.

Goals: Pitts 54.

Yellow Cards: Dobson-Ventura, Fry.

Red Cards: Fry.