Croydon Advertiser -: " CRYSTAL Palace U21s were held to a 1-1 draw against Hull City U21s in their opening development league match of the season. The Eagles fielded a strong line-up, including the likes of Wayne Hennessey, Jake Gray, Christian Scales, Reise Allassani, Adlene Guedioura, Sullay Kaikai and new signing Bakary Sako. But Hull took the lead early on through Taylor Tombides, shooting low past the outstretched Hennessey. And the visitors nearly doubled their advantage when Tombides latched on to a through-ball, rounded Hennessey but hit the side netting. Palace looked sluggish but gradually grew into the contest. Aaron Bissaka thought he should have had a penalty after he beat Conor Townsend and looked to have scythed down. Sako was then denied by Hull goalkeeper Erik Bukran from close range, before Guedioura had a thunderbolt go inches over from 25 yards. Kaikai also fired a warning shot at the visitors after a strong run in from the left flank, while Sako had a fierce free-kick well-blocked. Hull started the second half well and pinned the Eagles back. Jarrod Bowen should have put his side 2-0 ahead, but his effort went over from six yards unmarked after a decent delivery. Palace centre-back Roderick Collins went close at the other end, heading inches over from a powerful connection, before Sako was again denied, this time at the near post. Sako then had a glancing header go wide from Jake Gray's whipped-in free-kick. But Palace drew level after the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man was fouled 20 yards from goal. Up stepped Sullay Kaikai to wrap his foot around the ball and find the bottom corner past the rooted Bukran. Sako and Guedioura were taken off after an hour of match action, replaced by Andreas Breimyr and Marcus Johnson. Match action was limited for both sides, but Palace probably edged the possession statistics. However, Hull nearly nicked it at the end when centre-back Will Aimson's header whistled past the far post following a free-kick. And Palace had Hennessey to thank at the death when he produced a stunning save from a free-kick to ensure his side earned a point".
Agreed. This is going to be massive for us. We're going to see local lads in our first eleven, fingers crossed, in a few years time.
Someone I know what watches the u21's regularly doesn't rate Aimson at all. I expect Clark will definitely get a loan this season, he should have gone out last season.
I didn't see the picture, but I often wonder what happened to cliff after, well you know what! I also wonder what happened to his big buddy, Alan Caveney, who was also a big part of WWS. In fact together they were WWS and I reckon all 4 teams that were in the Amateur Leagues when I played were picked over a pint or two in St Andrews club. I heard they had a major fall out, but with all that Cliff faced, I guess that just too much pressure for anyone to take regardless of the circumstances...
Moi? I never used to rate him OLM, as you may well remember from our infrequent discussions at North Ferriby..
I just thought it was a coincidence seeing that picture as the name is not a particularly common one. I often wondered what happened to them both, as at the time as you say they were WWS.
It's decades since I've seen a "reserves/under 21 match". When I used to watch City Reserves in the 60s they'd play a lot of older players who couldn't get in the first 11 (no substitutes or "squads" then). The attendances would regularly be 3,000 which would be a reasonable portion of total income then. Now it's teens playing in front of a couple of hundred on a midweek afternoon.
There was a nice touch near the end of the match. Palace had a corner and practically all their players were in and around our penalty area. Tony Pennock called to one of our players and got him to stand wide on the half way line. One of their players had to run back to mark him.
