Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release - www.crystalpalaceusa.com

Saturday, May 17, 2008

HAMILTON, BER -- After opening their season with three home wins and three clean sheets, Crystal Palace took their perfect record on the road. Under light rain at Bermuda’s National Sports Centre, Palace remained at 100% on both counts, beating the Hogges thanks to a penalty from Ibrahim Kante and another shutout for the Palace defense and ‘keeper Matt Nelson.

Palace couldn’t have asked for a better start to their first away game of the year. The Hogges gave away a penalty in just the fourth minute of play when Stephan Astwood was called for a handball in the box. Kante made no mistake, calmly slotting home for his first of the season and what would be the only score of the night.

Astwood quickly tried to make amends, but his shot on seven minutes sailed wide. The Hogges continued to press and on the quarter hour mark, Damon Ming’s effort was just wide after a nice build up by Hogges.

Palace had their chances as the half went on, and on 34 minutes Shintaro Harada saw his shot from only three yards out fly over the crossbar.

After the break, the Hogges came out hungry for the equalizer and in the 53rd minute a Bermuda corner ended with Kwame Steede’s effort rustling the side-netting.

Ten minutes later Keishen Bean’s left-footed blast flew just inches past the post. The boys from Baltimore were still looking to put the game away, and one minute later Mike Lookingland’s low cross flew through the six yard box and was eventually cleared by the Hogges for a corner.

Cecil Lewis and Pat Healey each came close in the latter stages but the Palace back line held strong and Kante’s early goal was enough to take all three points.