Junior Supporters' Review: Crystal Palace

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Here's what our young fans made of Monday night's match.

BHAFC

2021-02-25T06:00:00Z

Albion celebrate after Joel Veltman's strike brings them level with Crystal Palace.

Competition winners sent in their match reports for Monday night's match, with some superb takes on a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace that was hard to take after the visitors scored their winner deep into stoppage time.

**Edith Chitty'**s headline summed up the evening perfectly with her headline, “Seagulls sickened by Benteke's stoppage time belter.”

Daniel Clarke, aged 15, brought us the team news, “Graham Potter named an unchanged 11 from the draw against Aston Villa, while his counterpart [Roy] Hodgson gave Jean-Phillipe Mateta, on loan from Mainz, his second start. Notably, Palace star man Wilfred Zaha was omitted from the squad due to injury.”

Mickey Grigg, aged 14, broke down how the visitors took the lead, “Just as Brighton continued to build up the pressure, completely against the run of play Palace saw a chance to counter-attack in the 28th minute.

Jean-Philipe Mateta puts Crystal Palace in front.

“Jordan Ayew collected the ball on the right wing and outsprinted Dan Burn to the by-line, before delivering a driven cross to Jean-Phillipe Mateta who creatively double nutmegged Ben White and Robert Sanchez with a backheel flick to put Crystal Palace 1-0 ahead.”

Albion made one change at the break when Steven Alzate was replaced by Danny Welbeck, and ten minutes after the restart the hosts were back in it.

Lewis Cottham, aged 13, reported, “It was in the 55th minute when Brighton got their rewards. [Pascal] Gross played it to Welbeck whose effort was blocked by a Palace defender but it fell to Veltman in the box. He still had some work to do but was able to smash in Albion’s equaliser and net his first goal in Brighton colours.

“The second goal looked like it was surely on the way for the Seagulls. The men in blue and white piled on the pressure and at times it looked like a pinball machine on the Brighton seafront rather than a football match as the visitors defended for their life.”

Albion were denied a goal that would have put them in front on several occasions.

Expertly put, Lewis.

While Albion piled forward looking for that winning goal, they were punished in the most brutal fashion.

Edith, aged 12, wrote, “What happened next would have made Robin Hood proud. Andros Townsend sprinted down the left wing and put in a delightful cross. Christian Benteke stole a march on Dan Burn and with a stunning, sweetly taken volley the striker scored. After only having three shots, Palace came away with three points.”

Daniel was keen to look ahead though, “Albion couldn't turn their chances into goals and the players will surely be looking to put things right against West Brom next time.”