CRYSTAL PALACE 1-1 COVENTRY CITY BY KEV MONKS
Team
Konstantopolous,Hall,Ward,De Zeeuw,Borrowdale, Cairo (Thornton 69), Hughes,Doyle,Tabb,Adebola (Best 61),McKenzie, (Simpson 71)
SNU Marshall,Hawkins,
Palace
Speroni,Butterfield,Hudson,Cort,Craig,Green,Watson,Fletcher,Soares,Scowcroft,Freedman
SNU Martin,Flinders,Dickov,Idrizaj,Lawrence.
Referee A.Woolmer
Booked De Zeeuw, Ward,Doyle,Cairo, Hall,Craig,
Goals Stuart Green (26), Leon Best (86)
Att 14,455
Man Of The Match - Stephen Hughes again took the majority of the votes.
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STARTING FORMATION
Dowie fielded the team had lost to Bristol City.
Team
Konstantopolous,Hall,Ward,De Zeeuw,Borrowdale, Cairo (Thornton 69), Hughes,Doyle,Tabb,Adebola (Best 61),McKenzie, (Simpson 71)
SNU Marshall,Hawkins,
Palace
Speroni,Butterfield,Hudson,Cort,Craig,Green,Watson,Fletcher,Soares,Scowcroft,Freedman
SNU Martin,Flinders,Dickov,Idrizaj,Lawrence.
Referee A.Woolmer
Booked De Zeeuw, Ward,Doyle,Cairo, Hall,Craig,
Goals Stuart Green (26), Leon Best (86)
Att 14,455
Man Of The Match - Stephen Hughes again took the majority of the votes.
____________________________
STARTING FORMATION
Dowie fielded the team had lost to Bristol City.
McKenzie Adebola
Tabb Hughes Doyle Cairo
Borrowdale Ward De Zeeuw Hall
Dimi
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GROUND
Nestled amongst the houses in the area of Croydon, Selhurst Park has two good stands behind the goals but the main stand and the Arthur Wait stand which houses the visitors are positively archaic with wooden seats.
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CITY FANS
The ground might only be 106 miles from Coventry but it is not the easiest place to get to. It took us an hour and a half to do the last ten miles.
Considering that this is the first away game of three in eight days and the £25 admission price, it was an excellent turn-out from 773 City supporters with many of our London based support turning out, as well as supporters from Northern Ireland.
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Leon Best snatched a late point for the Sky Blues at Crystal Palace.
This was a game that had been billed as Simon Jordan v Iain Dowie by the media following the summer court case.
To be honest, it was a dispute between the two involved and although Dowie received a bit of booing from one small section of the Palace support to our left,any noise they made was drowned out by applause and chants of "There's One Iain Dowie".
In fact,far more venom from the home fans was spouted at Gary Borrowdale,who had a steady game at left back as did Marcus Hall at right back.
Apart from Dimi having to block a Stewart Green break, City started to get the early possession.
Birthday boy Stephen Hughes played well in midfield and had a seventh minute shot deflected for a corner, followed by Speroni forcing a McKenzie header for a corner.
Arjan De Zeeuw and Elliott Ward again failed to play as a unit at the back. The Dutchman was not tight enough marking his opponent and like Ward, his banging of balls forward often created problems for themselves.
In the 23rd minute, De Zeeuw let in Dougie Freedman who somehow missed from twelve yards.
This was a let off for City but three minutes later, more careless defending let in Stewart Green who flicked past Dimi from ten yards for the opening goal of the game.
Ellery Cairo received some close attention from Tony Craig. A bad foul on the Dutchman in the 31st minute when unpunished but "Nightboat" was ok to get up and header a Tabb cross just over.
McKenzie, who was born just round the corner from Selhurst Park,should have drawn City level in the 35th minute when he shot was saved.
In fact,far more venom from the home fans was spouted at Gary Borrowdale,who had a steady game at left back as did Marcus Hall at right back.
Apart from Dimi having to block a Stewart Green break, City started to get the early possession.
Birthday boy Stephen Hughes played well in midfield and had a seventh minute shot deflected for a corner, followed by Speroni forcing a McKenzie header for a corner.
Arjan De Zeeuw and Elliott Ward again failed to play as a unit at the back. The Dutchman was not tight enough marking his opponent and like Ward, his banging of balls forward often created problems for themselves.
In the 23rd minute, De Zeeuw let in Dougie Freedman who somehow missed from twelve yards.
This was a let off for City but three minutes later, more careless defending let in Stewart Green who flicked past Dimi from ten yards for the opening goal of the game.
Ellery Cairo received some close attention from Tony Craig. A bad foul on the Dutchman in the 31st minute when unpunished but "Nightboat" was ok to get up and header a Tabb cross just over.
McKenzie, who was born just round the corner from Selhurst Park,should have drawn City level in the 35th minute when he shot was saved.
The former Norwich striker did not look particularly sharp in front of goal yet again and he had City's first chance in the second half with a volley.
Referee Andy Woolmer when, he was not given the majority of the decisions to the Eagles, was merrily waving his yellow card.
De Zeeuw, Ward and Doyle were cautioned in the first half and Cairo followed in the book in the 59th minute.
Two minutes later, Leon Best became the first of three subs used by Dowie.
The introduction of Best as well as Kevin Thornton and Robbie Simpson, breathed new life into City against one of the poorest Palace sides we have played in the last ten years.
Again, James Scowcroft showed why the £500k City received for him was ten times his worth, whilst the lack of star names in the Palace side explains why they are in the nether region of the table.
The City support were in fine voice, mocking the Palace Chairman and encouraging their team to attack and four minutes from time, our endeavours to get to this game and those on the pitch were rewarded.
Out of nothing, Simpson found Best in the middle. The striker kept his cool and slotted past Peroni before racing over to the bench to dive on his manager along with his team-mates.
This was not a great performance but considering our recent form at Selhurst Park, I was happy with the point.
SUPPORTERS VIEW
Referee Andy Woolmer when, he was not given the majority of the decisions to the Eagles, was merrily waving his yellow card.
De Zeeuw, Ward and Doyle were cautioned in the first half and Cairo followed in the book in the 59th minute.
Two minutes later, Leon Best became the first of three subs used by Dowie.
The introduction of Best as well as Kevin Thornton and Robbie Simpson, breathed new life into City against one of the poorest Palace sides we have played in the last ten years.
Again, James Scowcroft showed why the £500k City received for him was ten times his worth, whilst the lack of star names in the Palace side explains why they are in the nether region of the table.
The City support were in fine voice, mocking the Palace Chairman and encouraging their team to attack and four minutes from time, our endeavours to get to this game and those on the pitch were rewarded.
Out of nothing, Simpson found Best in the middle. The striker kept his cool and slotted past Peroni before racing over to the bench to dive on his manager along with his team-mates.
This was not a great performance but considering our recent form at Selhurst Park, I was happy with the point.
SUPPORTERS VIEW
Mark from Dromore in Northern Ireland said after the game: "De Zeeuw and Ward were awful. Thankfully both the full backs were good.
"Stephen Hughes was my Man Of The Match, but we still need a midfielder who will push forward.
"After the striker's performance tonight, I'd start with Leon Best and Robbie Simpson on Saturday.