Life of a Palace fan…

Thursday, 18/08/2011

by Chris Kirby, Shoot's Crystal Palace blogger

06/08/2011 – A new season begins. For once, I went into the campaign with optimism and hope, following a string of seemingly impressive signings and a positively successful pre-season. I wasn’t expecting promotion, or even a top ten finish, but I sensed we would make some significant progress and finally drag ourselves away from the ever-opening Championship trap door.

Our opponents were newly-promoted Peterborough United - tipped by many to slide back from whence they came, having sold their top scorer and made no real waves in the transfer market. With 3,300 Crystal Palace fans invading the Moyes Terrace, an away win was surely on the cards. Or so we thought….

Half-time: Peterborough 0-1 Crystal Palace (Scannell). All going to plan. There was even time for a 15 minute sunbathe in the break. Unfortunately I think the Palace players had the same idea, as they approached the second half leggy, negative and bereft of ideas. Two well-worked Peterborough goals later and we were left contemplating an opening day defeat at the hands of the bookie’s favourites for relegation. Full-time: Peterborough 2-1 Crystal Palace. Not an ideal start.

13/08/2011 – Crystal Palace vs. Burnley. The Clarets had produced a fine comeback to draw their opening game 2-2 with Watford at Turf Moor, followed by a Jay Rodriquez-inspired 6-3 victory over Burton Albion in the cup. They also had Eddie Howe at the helm, a man who had previously turned down the chance to become Crystal Palace manager. We had a makeshift defence and Jermaine Easter upfront….

Half-time: Crystal Palace 1-0 Burnley. Would you believe it? A classic ‘cross and header’ goal from the new boy and a vintage passing display had us deservedly in front at the break. Backs to the wall in the second half surely? Not on your nelly. More slick passing and a driving run from Sean Scannell led to a penalty and a second goal. There was even time for Burnley’s Marvin Bartley to see red before the end. Full-time: Crystal Palace 2-0 Burnley. Up to 10th!

16/08/2011 – Crystal Palace vs. Coventry City. Confidence was high in the Palace camp, and with Coventry starting the season with three straight defeats a home win looked more than likely, however….

Half-time: Crystal Palace 0-0 Coventry City. A score-line to match the amount of clear chances created. The second half saw Palace on the front-foot, but out of nowhere a Julian Speroni howler gifted the guests a 0-1 lead. As second-half injury-time approached, all looked lost. Could we salvage an equaliser?

BANG! Youth products Jon Williams and Wilfried Zaha combined in the 90th minute to provide Sean Scannell with his second goal of the season! Utter jubilation in the stands! Now just hold on Palace....

UNBELIEVABLE!!! 95 minutes on the clock and Coventry keeper Joe Murphy drops the ball into the path of Jermaine Easter who pokes home to send Selhurst Park almost literally insane!!! An amazing comeback to top off 10 days of emotional heaven and hell. Palace up to fifth!

I need a lie down….

• 

• Have your say