Ambrose and Zaha on target as Palace scramble a draw at Dorchester
PALACE'S winless pre-season continued with a 3-3 draw at Blue Square South outfit Dorchester Town on Wednesday night.
The Eagles were forced to come from 2-0 down after some shocking defending allowed their hosts to race into an early lead.
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Wilfried Zaha
Fortunately for the visitors Darren Ambrose was in the mood and the top scorer from last season struck either side of half-time to drag his side back into the contest.
Dorchester regained their lead, before teenager Wilfried Zaha secured a draw for Palace with a neat strike on 70 minutes.
Manager George Burley was happy that his side had found the net on three occasions but admitted it was a well below par performance.
"Well there were plenty of goals at least," he said. "We didn't get going at all in the first half, but improved after the break.
"On a positive note Darren Ambrose looked lively and the youngsters Wilfried Zaha and Kieron Cadogan did well again."
Burley and his squad have been away in the south west all week and the manager believes it has been a good way to prepare for the bigger tests ahead.
"Overall the trip has been very productive," he said. "The facilities at the hotel are excellent and as our training pitch in Beckenham is still out of action this has been a very useful week for us. We're still building a squad, we're working very hard on bringing players in, but we knew it wasn't going to be easy.
"When we came there were very few players left so it is a work in progress."
Palace continue their warm up games with a match against League One Exeter City tomorrow night.
4 Comments
by Lee, Croydon
Thursday, July 22 2010, 2:15PM
“L0uis 4-6-0
The 4-6-0 Formation DOES NOT EXIST.
0 =Zero
0 = Nothing
0 = 0
0 = Nil
0 = Nil Pour
0 = the Invisible Man.
Clive, Newcastle got beat 6-1 by Orient in a pre season friendly last year.
We got beat 6-1 by Millwall pre season just after that Thief Jordan took over.”
by Luis, Henfield
Thursday, July 22 2010, 9:58AM
“Clive,I agree pre-season friendlies AREN'T about results.There about getting players fit and getting to KNOW new signings.
I also agree about starting Wilf Zaha but at 17 its putting a LOT of pressure on the youngster and ADDITIONAL strikers are NEEDED to avoid this.
With Darren Ambrose,Kieron Cadogan,Neil Danns,Andy Dorman & Alassane N'diaye there is plenty of Goals from midfield but another Striker is NEEDED.”
by Clive, Leeds/Northants
Thursday, July 22 2010, 9:44AM
“Zaha seems to be a much better bet (from the start) then Andrew who seems to be the new Emile Heskey. Although the defending was according to the reports poor, the guys are still getting to know each other and I for one, don't place too much store on pre season friendlies as a guide to what's going to happen when points are at stake - didn't Exeter thrash Newcastle something like 6-1 last year (L0uis?) and they went up as champtions”
by Luis, Henfield
Thursday, July 22 2010, 9:32AM
“Sounds like we missed presence of holding midfielder,NEED to sign Davide Baiocco,35, or Alexander Radosavljevic,31,or BOTH.
It seems Wilfred Zaha is fighting for place but how LONG can you put that PRESSURE on 17 year old in STARTING line-up,better to introduce gradually from bench,building up CONFIDENCE.
NEED to buy a STRIKER or 2,along with Left-Back and,may be Left-Winger.Then be able to play various formations,including 4:6:0.
Looking forward to start of season against Leicester and ATTENDING matches again.”