Town's youths beat Palace 3-1 at Portman Road this evening. Two goals from England U16s player Darren Bent and another from Robert Dickinson saw Town home with Palace's solitary goal coming from Antwi just after half-time.
Palace probably had the best of the first half in difficult conditions. They tried to use the pace of striker Amoako with balls over the top, but keeper Lee Hulyer was swiftly off his line on several occasions to thwart him.
Palace hit the bar from a corner, but despite periods of dominance couldn't get a goal.
Town went ahead through Bent ten minutes before the break. The striker had previously been stopped by the keeper when one-on-one, but this time he made no mistake. A couple of minutes later he could have scored a second, but hit the post. Darren Ambrose could have scored easily with the rebound but sent the ball skywards. He still had his hands on his head when the players went off for half-time.
Palace equalised just after half-time. A ball played across the goal from the left was poked home by Antwi. Several other players could have got a touch as the dangerous ball went across the area.
Not long later Town scored the two goals that settled the game. First Dickinson put the ball past Palace keeper Hateley and then just a couple of minutes later Bent added his second. A cross from the right was met superbly by the youngster who headed beyond the keeper.
Town looked the better side from hereon despite not adding to their total. The Blues made the odd substitution, partly to remove some of the players referee Artis had booked. Several Town players received yellow cards for tackles which were in the main down to the greasy conditions.
A good win for Town with some good performances, particularly from Bent.
Town team: Hulyer, Artun, Beevers (Chaffey), Westlake (Chibogu), Snowdon (Burton), Bloomfield, Ambrose, Bent, Richards, Dickinson.