Town's Reserves started the new season with a 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace. Pablo Couñago, Fabian Wilnis and Shefki Kuqi all started for the Blues' second string.

The first real action came on four minutes when Dougie Freedman was put through on Shane Supple's goal, but back came Chris Hogg to win the ball back for Town in his own area. But two minutes later, Freedman did score. The Scottish international was put through by Tommy Black, and his shot went in off the post.

Town's first real effort ended up turning into a goal. As always, Shefki Kuqi chased down Palace's defender Sam Togwell and forced a mistake from the young centre-back. Kuqi was almost on the goal-line, before to-poking the ball onto the post. He then pulled the ball back for Scott Barron to side-foot home.

On 19 minutes, Palace's other centre-back, Karim El-Salahi, was on the end of a bad challenge from a Town player, and had to go off. He was replaced by Jay Conroy. A stretcher was called for and a leg brace was put on his right leg. He went straight off to Ipswich Hospital with the paramedics.

One minute later, and Adem Atay had a good chance, but was very well tackled by Togwell after Pablo Counago had slid a good ball through to him. From the tackle though, the ball came to Kuqi who had a shot from 20 yards, which was well held by David Wilkinson.

On 26 minutes, Palace's new Ecuadorian loanee, Ivan Kaviedes, was put through by Tommy Black, only to be fooled by Shane Supple in the Town goal. Chris Hogg had also come back and that was vital; he slid in to give a corner away.

Five minutes later, Couñago should have given Town the lead, but his disappointing shot ended up going wide from 12 yards. Seven minutes later, full-back Atay burst forward and had a rasping shot from 20 yards saved by Wilkinson.

During a three-minute spell from just after the half hour, Kuqi was in the wars. He had got an elbow in the face and had to go off to be treated. His shirt then had blood on it - something which isn't allowed these days - so he had to change from the number 10 shirt to the number 18 shirt. At the start of the second-half, he'd changed again, this time back to the number 10.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Kuqi was fouled 35 yards out. He picked himself up and had a shot from almost in the centre-circle, which hit the advertising hoardings at the top of the South Stand. The fourth official then signalled that there was going to be one extra minute.

Palace made a substitution at half-time with youngster Tyrone Berry replacing Shaun Derry in midfield.

Town started the second-half much the better team, with Kuqi having two good shots on target. Unfortunately, referee Evetts was blowing-up for the tiniest bit of contact, which disrupted the flow of the game.

On 65 minutes, Palace made their final substitution with Gareth Williams replacing Nathan Simpson.

The first real bit of action in the second-half came on 75 minutes when Dougie Freedman had a shot which was well blocked by Jerome Sobers. The ball came out to Tommy Black, who hit a top-corner shot, until Shane Supple tipped it over the bar.

On 78 minutes, Kuqi was substituted by young Irish striker Billy Clarke. The Finnish international received a standing ovation for his hard work and effort by the 550 spectators. Whilst the substitution was being made, Adem Atay was being treated for cramp.

Five minutes later, Stuart Boardley replaced Town's goalscorer Scott Barron. Boardley hardly had a touch of the ball in the last seven or eight minutes.

A minute after Town's second substitution had been made, Palace scored their second goal. Freedman was allowed into the box before any Town player came near him, and he dribbled round all three tackles, before placing a shot inside Supple's near post from six yards.

Town made their final substitution on 86 minutes when another Irish youngster, Michael Synnott replaced Adem Atay at right-back.

Town Reserves: Shane Supple, Adem Atay (Michael Synnott 86), Fabian Wilnis, Antonio Murray, Jerome Sobers, Chris Hogg, Daniel Flack, Scott Mitchell, Pablo Counago, Shefki Kuqi (Billy Clarke 78) and Scott Barron (Stuart Boardley 83). Unused subs: Liam Craig and Liam Manning.

Crystal Palace Reserves: David Wilkinson, Glen Wilson, Nathan Simpson (Gareth Williams 65), Shaun Derry (Tyrone Berry 45), Sam Togwell, Karim El-Salahi (Jay Conroy 19), Tommy Black, Ben Watson, Dougie Freedman, Ivan Kaviedes and Tom Soares. Unused subs: Rikki Banks and Kit Symons.

Referee: Mr G Evetts. Assistants: Mr D Bushell and Mr G Kett. Fourth official: Mr B Newall. Attendence: 550.

Thanks to James Ager for the report.

Photo: Action Images

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