The result left us disappointed and frustrated as it was another tale of the woodwork getting the better of our youngsters.

A quiet start to the game saw only a chance each inside the first 30 minutes, but from then on the match started to open up. We twice hit the frame of the net before the hosts took the lead against the run of play. Another strike of the post would conclude the half with our boys behind.

Silko Thomas fired us level after the interval and we were back in the ascendance. The crossbar would deny another goal for us late on and the south Londoners capitalised on their fortune from the penalty spot to seal maximum points and move top.

Starting XI

From Saturday’s win over West Brom Ed Brand made just three changes. Goal scorer Josh Brooking came in at right wing-back in place of Dion Rankine, who took a seat on the bench. Silko Thomas was in from the start as Harvey Vale dropped out. The only other swap came in attack where Ronnie Stutter led the line in the absence of Bryan Fiabema. Young goalkeeper Ted Curd started his fifth game at Under-18 level.

We last played Crystal Palace in October 2020 in a battling game at Cobham. Palace scored a solitary goal to take the points back to south London that day. The hosts started the morning in second place, level on points with Fulham in first. Meanwhile our Under-18s sat in sixth place on 26 points and were looking to build on the win over West Brom last time out.

Defences on top

The home side were caught in possession on the half-way line and we looked to benefit from our numbers in attack. Thomas moved the ball left to Lewis Hall whose early cross was a teasing one, and just needed a touch from a Blue body to test Joseph Whitworth in the Palace net.

The home side grew into the game after the first quarter but only registered their first attempt on goal after 17 minutes. Fionn Mooney stole the ball in midfield and tried his luck from distance. Thankfully Curd was behind the shot and made an easy save.

At the half-hour mark we were short of much goal-mouth action and the defensive work by both teams was keeping the majority of play in the middle. On the one occasion we did manage to breach the home barrier, Hall was again involved. Forcing his way through a sea of bodies after a partially-cleared corner-kick, Hall smashed his effort into the side-netting.

Lively end to the half

The closest either side came to finding the net was from a Chelsea free-kick just outside the box. Winning the foul himself, birthday boy Joe Haigh took charge of the ball. Taking his time, the 18-year old aimed at goal but had his head in his hands as the ball bounced back off the crossbar and out of play. The woodwork wasn’t done denying Chelsea there though.

We were pilling the pressure on Crystal Palace as half-time loomed and next would be Charlie Webster to strike the post. His low attempt from just inside the area was agonisingly close to an opener.

Palace pounce

Unbelievably our dominance at the end of the half was undone by a home goal three minutes from time. After clearing a corner only as far as a Palace body on the edge of the box, the ball worked its way back in to David Omilabu. The forward did well to create an opportunity for himself and force a shot home from close range - but the half wasn't done there.

After winning the ball back in midfield Bashir Humphreys moved it forward to Haigh. Driving into the box there looked to be only one option for the attacker and he went for goal but again the frame got the better of him.

The break was needed for our youngsters who were being increasingly frustrated by their lack of fortune in front of goal and we trailed at the interval.

Back in the game

The talk at half-time gave the players the confidence they needed to start the second half strongly, and it took just nine minutes for us to find a way back into the game.

Crystal Palace wasted a throw-in in a good position and we capitalised on their committed numbers. Josh Brooking picked up possession and sent Thomas racing down the right. Cutting in on to his favoured left foot, the 17-year-old fired at goal and, with the aid of a deflection, scored the much-deserved leveller.

Then, for the third time during the game the woodwork denied Haigh a goal. Receiving the ball with his back to the target the youngster turned and found a yard of space to shoot. Beating the keeper but not the crossbar, the young Blues would later pay for hitting the frame a fourth time.

Late penalty wins it

It was again against the run of play Crystal Palace regained their lead. Tayo Adaramola went down under challenge in the box and the referee pointed towards the penalty spot without hesitation. With confidence from his first Omilabu stepped up and hit the back of the net for his second goal of the game.

We were then in search for another equalising goal and Charlie Wiggett found himself dictating play in the final third. He began the move by spreading play wide to Dion Rankine, he beat his man and found the defender inside the box. Taking his shot at the first attempt, it was straight at Whitworth who did well to hold the ball safely.

That would be the last opportunity for us to take something from the game and in the end it wasn’t to be as we remain seventh in the league standings.

What’s next?

On Saturday Brand’s boys visit Leicester for more Under-18 Premier League action. Kick-off at the Leicester City training round is 12 noon.

Chelsea 3-4-3 Ted Curd; Alfie Gilchrist (Edwin Andersson 89), Charlie Wiggett, Brodi Hughes; Josh Brooking (Dion Rankine 66), Charlie Webster, Bashir Humphreys, Lewis Hall; Joe Haigh, Silko Thomas, Ronnie Stutter (Leo Castledine 72)Unused subs Luke Badley-Morgan, Prince AdegokeBooked Rankine 87Scorer Thomas 54

Crystal Palace Joseph Whitworth, Joe Sheridan, Daniel Quick, Dylan Thisleton, Tayo Adaramola, Fionn Mooney (Maliq Cadogan 76), David Omilabu, Kevin Gonzalez (Ademole Ola-Adebomi 90+3), Jack Wells-Morrison, Aidan Steele, Victor AkinwaleUnused subs Joseph Ling, Owen Goodman, David OzohBooked Steele 82; Gonzalez 90+3Scorer Omilabu 42, 87 (pen)