CRYSTAL PALCE 2 CITY 0
League Division 1
3rd November 1979
attendance 29,443
scorers Walsh(28), Swindlehurst(69)
ref C Maskell
City Corrigan, Ranson, Bennett, Caton, Futcher, MacKenzie, Daley, Power, Robinson, Reid, Silkman – sub Henry(75)
Crystal Palace Burridge, Hinshelwood, Sansom, Nicholas, Cannon, Gilbert, Murphy, Kember, Walsh, Swindlehurst, Hilaire – sub Smillie(unused)
THE EAGLES’ IAN WALSH PUTS PALACE AHEAD AGAINST THE CITIZENS (PICTURE FROM ROY OF THE ROVERS COMIC)
A REPORT PUBLISHED IN THE CITY PROGRAMME 22ND NOVEMBER 1980
Great goalkeeping at both ends prevented a glut of goals which really would have been a fitting bonus to such a stylish, adventurous match. But Palace did find their way through on two occasions through Walsh and Swindlehurst.
Hilaire was at the hub of Palace’s early onslaughts, though the lead came from a Sansom long throw-in which bounced off Swindlehurst and should have been cleared. Walsh pounced and fired a strong shot on the turn which Joe Corrigan half-stopped though he couldn’t prevent it spinning slowly over the line. Later, a Palace corner brought a Walsh header which was cleared off the line by Ray Ranson, though only as far as Swindlehurst, who drummed it in.
City seemed worth a penalty even before a goal was scored when the inspiring Dave Bennett was brought down by Hinshelwood, and incident which brought a booking for the protesting Paul Power. Gallingly, the next day’s t.v. transmission of the match showed it was a valid claim.
Brilliant goalkeeping by Burridge blotted out an effort from Barry Silkman and in the second half from Nicky Reid and Mike Robinson. The impressive Bennett also hit the bar. Yet Palace matched City’s shots tally as the game see-sawed excitingly.
Unlucky Bennett’s great form was followed by notable displays from Tommy Caton, Power and Ranson while Nicky Reid played an important part in the second half attacking barrage before injury caused his withdrawal.
“This match was billed as one which could show the good things in football, bright young players blowing fresh air through the game. l’m pleased it surpassed its own publicity” said Palace manager Terry Venables after.