Crystal Palace - 2 (Lombardo 18. Hreidarsson 99.)
Torquay United - 1 (Thomas 70.)
extra-time (Aggregate: Palace 3-2)

Crystal Palace moved onto the next round of the Worthington Cup with this close win. The victorious Eagles were nothing short of making their supporters nervous, as the match was decided on an extra time goal by Herman Hreidarsson, earning the club a spot in the second round.

Torquay United made Palace struggle in this match, much as they did in the first leg of the cup. The Eagles started well and 15 minutes into the match, they were challenging the Torquay goal. Bruce Dyer set up Matthew Jansen who went around the goalkeeper, Kenny Veysey, but lost his balance and missed his shot. Just three minutes later, Sasa Curcic moved well into the area, past two defenders, and crossed the ball to the feet of Attilio Lombardo who fired home the opening goal.

Fraser Digby, making his Palace debut, looked patient in the goal as Torquay were unable to provide any offence. On the other end, Dyer was robbed of a goal when Jamie Robinson sent the ball off the line as the opposition held well.

Terry Venables' side emerged from half-time and allowed Torquay to capitalise on their lack of form. On 55 minutes, Tony Bedeau was set up by Scott Partridge, but missed. Their first goal came from Partridge, but was disallowed on an offside ruling.

On the 70th minute, Torquay got their goal. Christopher Leadbitter's corner was missed by Digby and Wayne Thomas headed the ball into the net. This wake up call provided the Eagles with a shove and Veysey at the other end made three saves.

Marcus Bent saw Veysey to a diving save and Jansen sent one on which the keeper got a hand to before it rattled off of the post. The match went into extra time and on the 99th minute, Lombardo's corner found Hreidarsson who sent the ball in from 10 yards out.

Palace struggled in this match, but the outcome was without question in our favour. At this time however, we will take wins as they come. This match presented a solid Eagles lineup which was simply inefficient on the pitch. All credit is due to Torquay, who deserved better for their valiant effort against a dormant Eagles side.

Jonathan Collura

Palace: Digby. Austin. Smith. Curcic (Morrison 70). Rodger (Bent 45). Linighan. Lombardo. Hreidarsson. Dyer. Jansen (Amsalem 90). Mullins.
Not Used: Burton. Ormshaw.
Booked: Dyer. Hreidarsson.

Torquay: Veysey. Gurney. Herrera. Robinson. Thomas. Watson. Leadbitter (Tully 93). McGorry (Hapgood 45). Bedeau. Partridge. Hill (MacFarlane 99).
Not Used: Gregg. Newell.
Booked: Gurney. Watson. Hill.

Attendance: 6.872
Referee: Mr A. Hall (Birmingham)