It’s the start for an exciting new era for the Crystal Palace FC Foundation Academy. Northampton College is thrilled to be the Academy’s new education provider and we will be fielding two teams in then 2018/19 National Youth Football League – travelling up and down the country to play fellow Foundation Academies from some of the Premier League’s biggest names. Head coach, former professional footballer and Republic of Ireland international Eddie McGoldrick, has put together a squad of talented first and second year scholars who will be training full-time and continuing their studies at Booth Lane.
The first game of the season saw CPFC take on Burnley.
BURNLEY FC A 4 V 1 CPFC A NC
Our second years made the trip to the north west to take on Burnley. However, long delays on the motorway saw our preparation hampered by not arriving until 10 minutes before kick-off. Burnley capitalised on a sluggish start and raced into a two goal lead within 26 minutes. Palace grew into the game though and began to dominate possession the first half wore on. Captain Dylan Weston pulled one back from a well-worked set piece but as they pushed for an equaliser the visitors were undone by two late goals, eventually going on to lose 4-1. Coach George Dukes said: “Only getting here 10 minutes before the game certainly didn’t help and we saw that in our start but we grew into the game and I thought we edged it at times. We deserved something out of the game and the scoreline has certainly flattered them. I’ve no doubts our lack of preparation before the game has cost us, we looked tired towards the end which has cost us two goals and arguably the point we deserved.”
CPFC B NC 1 V 2 BURNLEY FC B
A nervy start saw both sides struggle to find their feet but it was the hosts who went closest to opening the scoring in the 10th minute when Nicholas Fleming cut in from the left and shot straight at the Burnley goalkeeper. The deadlock was broken on the half hour mark when an error in the home defence was seized upon by the Burnley centre forward who made no mistake from close range. Just 30 seconds into the second half the home team levelled with a good team goal. An excellent move saw half time sub Warwick Stonell lob the keeper to make it 1-1. Palace piled forward but failed to make their pressure count, missing several good chances to finish the game off. They were made to pay in the 75th minute when Burnley substitute Francis Ennis scored with a beautiful strike from 25 yards. Burnley clung on to seal a 2-1 victory. Head coach Eddie McGoldrick said: “I am delighted and disappointed in the same breath. This group of players literally only came together on Monday so we haven’t had a lot of time to work on things. To put in the performance they did really pleased me and this group of first years will get better and better as they get used to full-time training. They deserved a least a draw today and we’ll look to get our first points on the board when we play Sunderland next week.”
