Crystal Palace suffered a 3-0 pre-season defeat to League One Bromley, with a sloppy second-half display costing the Eagles dearly. The match provided a final chance for Pierre Sage to see his players before jetting off to Lake Como to participate in the Como Cup.
What happened?
Crystal Palace continued their pre-season preparations with a trip to Bromley, who were promoted to League One after winning League Two last season. The matchup provided a final chance for Pierre Sage to see his players before jetting off to Lake Como to participate in the Como Cup. Both Adam Wharton and Óscar Mingueza were unavailable due to injury, both suspected to be more precautionary than anything else.
Why it matters for Crystal Palace
The pre-season defeat to Bromley will be a concern for Pierre Sage, who will be looking to improve his team's performance ahead of the new season. The sloppy second-half display will be a worry for the Eagles, who will need to work on their defensive solidity and attacking flair.
What comes next?
Crystal Palace will look to bounce back from the defeat in their next pre-season match, with a number of fixtures scheduled in the coming weeks. The team will be looking to improve their performance and build momentum ahead of the new season.
A closely contested first half was followed by what can only be described as a sloppy second forty five. Bromley were clinical, and took their chances where Palace wasted theirs. A well-taken opener, was followed by a second from the penalty spot. The win was wrapped up late on with a stooping header, the hosts rightfully deserving of their 3-0 victory. Consistent errors from Palace players and wasted opportunities gave Palace little chance to bring themselves back into the game. Misplaced passes, overhit crosses and weak attempts on goal were consistent throughout the second half in particular.
Palace lined up for the first half with W. Benítez, J. Canvot, C. Walker-Smith, T.Adaramola, R. Cardines, D. Benamar, W. Hughes, J.Devenny, R.Esse, J.Rak-Sakyi and M.França. A closely contested first half saw few chances for either side, with the game largely being played between the two boxes. Palace came close through chances from both Rio Cardines and Mathues França in the first half, but failed to break the deadlock. França then missed a glorious chance when he blazed over the bar from a matter of yards, a lack of communication between the Brazilian and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi wasting a great chance to take the lead.
The halftime break was called and Sage made eleven changes as Palace’s second XI looked to impress in the second forty five. For the second half, Palace lined up with J.Whitworth, T.Mitchell, G.King, M.Jemide, B.Sosa, D.Imray, D.Ozoh, C.Doucouré, J.Drakes-Thomas, E.Nketiah and B.Johnson. A stronger, more experienced side for Palace, with the exciting quality of Danny Imray who won Young Player of the Year with the Whites in the 2024/25 season. It was a bright start with Brennan Johnson bursting through on goal but his squared ball was just too weak. Palace then came close again when a loose ball came across the goal but Johnson couldn’t convert. Bromley then conceded possession which offered an excellent chance to Nketiah. His shot was blocked which opened the chance for Johnson, but the Welshman couldn’t score beyond the covering defenders.
Bromley went up the other end and with their first real chance of the half they took the lead. It was a long kick from the ‘keeper which evaded Mofe Jemide, fell to the striker Victor Adeboyejo, who lobbed Whitworth and opened the scoring. Palace raised the pressure and came close to finding an equaliser, but a series of excellent saves from Bromley’s ‘keeper and then a huge miss from Joél Drakes-Thomas kept the score at 1-0. A moment of madness from Doucouré saw him pass the ball to an opponent, allowing Bromley to seal the win with a third goal.
The 3-0 defeat to Bromley will be a concern for Pierre Sage, who will be looking to improve his team's performance ahead of the new season. The sloppy second-half display will be a worry for the Eagles, who will need to work on their defensive solidity and attacking flair. Palace will look to bounce back from the defeat in their next pre-season match, with a number of fixtures scheduled in the coming weeks. The team will be looking to improve their performance and build momentum ahead of the new season.
