Bromley vs Crystal Palace u21’s – Pre-season friendly

Hi everyone,

Hope you’re all well.

On Tuesday 1st August 2023, Crystal Palace Under 21’s visited Hayes Lane for a pre-season fixture against Bromley.

I had been to the Bromley stadium before to watch my cousin play, but this game had a much higher attendance. We sat in the stand with the tunnel just across from the halfway line, I was on a small platform with my stepdad next to me in the stand. The view was good apart from the metal safety bar being right in my eyeline, throughout the whole game people were walking back and forth to the bar so our view kept being disrupted although security was good at ensuring there were no people persistent standing in our way.

After finishing fourth in the Premier League 2 last season, the Palace under 21 squad recently spent a week during their preseason in Salt Lake City competing in the MLS NEXT Pro Invitational tournament. The aim of the MLS NEXT Pro Invitational tournament is to allow MLS youth teams to play against Europe youth teams. The teams Palace faced were TSG Hoffenheim U23s, Real Monarchs, and Whitecaps FC 2 of which the latter two were already midway through their season compared to the European teams who were in preseason stages. The first two games unfortunately ended in losses conceding 2 goals in each, but they ended on a high drawing 1-1 to Whitecaps FC 2, with Ebere Eze’s younger brother Chimaechi Eze who recently signed scoring, before winning 4-3 on penalties. They got some valuable minutes in the tank ahead of the 23/24 campaign out in the USA.

Their opponents Bromley compete in the National League and finished seventh last season, they made it into the play-offs before being knocked out by Chesterfield in the semi-finals. Within the Bromley line up was ex Palace centre half Sam Woods.

This game was a good chance for the Young Eagles to impress manager Darren Powell before the new season starts in a few weeks. Powell made four changes from their last game whilst on tour, these saw new signing Chris Francis replacing Seán Grehan along with Joe Whitworth, Danny Imray and Victor Akinwale replacing Jackson Izquierdo, Noah Watson, and Franco Umeh. Unfortunately, Palace visited Bromley with many of their regular starters such as David Ozoh, Noah Watson and Tayo Adaramola out with injuries, although most should be back before the start of the season.

Crystal Palace under 21’s win their final game of pre-season away to Bromley with wondergoals from Caleb Kporha and Jack Wells-Morrison!

After being announced as the newest young eagle just hours before the match begun, Chris Francis made an early tackle to prevent Bromley being through on goal. Bromley had a large portion of the ball in the opening stages, and George Alexander had they best chance but again the palace defence managed to clear the danger.

Palace got off to a good start showing their threat down the left side. Danny Imray and Adler Nascimento combined well and presented issues for Bromley, though just lacked the final crucial.

With only half an hour played, the game was reduced to 10 men each. Ex Palace centre half Sam Woods and Imray, who had been Palace’s best man, were both shown straight red cards after a dramatic coming together on the touchline. This opened up the game with both teams coming close to the opener.

In additional time of the first half, Caleb Kporha managed to get the opening goal. The 17-year-old drifted into the edge of the box following a throw in and was played in by captain Jack Wells-Morrison. He took a couple of touches to set himself and curled the ball impressively into the far corner out of reach of Teddy Sharman-Lowe in the Bromley goal.

Although Bromley came out for the second half strong, they were punished for not taking their chance and it was Palace who got the second goal. Just ten minutes into the second half Joe Sheridan found Jadan Raymond with a diagonal pass, the midfielder laid the ball off to his skipper Wells-Morrison on the edge of the box, and again with another impressive curling shot found the back of the net to double the lead.

Despite not having much to do Joe Whitworth was determined to keep his clean sheet intact making some good safes. With 15 minutes remaining Bromley were given a way back into the game through a penalty. Soul Kader stepped up to take it but saw his effort saved by the 19-year-old getting down low, preventing Bromley a chance of a comeback.

Just five minutes later Palace won a penalty of their own. Fresh substitute Franco Umeh confidently drove into the box and was brought down in the area. Wells-Morrison stepped up and unlike at the other end confidently slotted the ball into the net for his second goal for the net, sending the substitute keeper the wrong way.

Umeh continued to impress, looking silky on the ball but was unable to get his name on the score sheet. In the closing stages Bromley begun to tire allowing Palace to be in complete control and overcame Bromley 3-0 at ease ending their preseason on a high ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Overall a great game to end preseason on a high for the young eagles and hopefully it gives them confidence going into the opening Premier League 2 game in a few weeks with players also returning from injury. I do think their talent and control shield more in the second half particularly when Bromley started to tire Caleb Kporha and Franco Umeh were very impressive and ones to watch out for especially for how young they both are, I briefly spoke to injured David Ozoh who also said Kporha is a special player and one to look out for. Jack Wells-Morrison was my man of the match, being involved in all three goals and dictating play in the midfield. I’m looking forward to seeing this team in action next season where hopefully they can take the next step of pushing to be champions.

The fixtures aren’t out yet for PL2 2023/24 campaign so I’m not sure who and when is their first game, but it will be in the next few weeks.

Tonight I am going to McLaren for a tour of their factory, and Crystal Palace vs Lyon on Saturday so look out for them posts!

Thank you for reading.

Ellie Xx