Supersub Omilabu shows returning Crystal Palace fans glimpse of exciting future as U23s beat Wolves to progress to play-off final

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

An extra-time strike from the prolific U18 forward Daivd Omilabu saw Crystal Palace defeat Wolves 3-2 in front of more than 1,000 returning fans at Selhurst Park this evening to win their U23 Premier League 2 Division 2 play-off semi-final and set up a final against Sunderland, with the winners getting promoted to Division 1.

Omilabu originally signed for Palace when he was eight before being released at U12 level. He was re-signed again a year later after scoring a hat-trick against them when on trial at Fulham. Having been in South London since 2016, Omilabu signed a professional contract with the club in March.

His winner came after first-half goals from Rob Street and Jay-Rich Baghuelou put the home side well in control at half-time in a match which neatly highlighted the link between the past, present and future of the Eagles.

Shaun Derry is the U23 boss and was a key part of the Eagles squad who fought off relegation to the third tier of English football back in 2010 – and possible oblivion as a club. He was joined pre-match by Eagles fans’ favourite Julian Speroni, who was warming up the young goalkeepers this evening. In the stands were Darren Powell and Keith Millen, joined by former U23 manager and current assistant to Palace manager Roy Hodgson, Dave Reddington.

On the pitch, the future looks very bright as the young side impressed in the first half and managed through the second half to take a nervous victory.

Derry had named a strong side with two U18 players named in the squad: hot prospect Jesurun Rak-Sakyi started, while leading U18s Premier League goalscorer Omilabu was named on the bench.

The opening 45 minutes was dominated by the home side with Street causing the Wolves defence numerous problems. The Palace forward had the first chance as he nipped in ahead of Jackson Smith in the opposition goal to toe-poke a shot goalbound but was denied by the post.

Moments later he connected with a perfect Sion Spence corner to head home and open the scoring as the fans in the Holmesdale Lower sung their famous “We Love You” chant.

Wolves responded but the Palace defence, led by goalkeeper Oliver Webber and captain Jake O’Brien, held firm with Spence and Street combining again in the 18th minute but Street’s header went wide.

Webber made a superb save from a Wolves free-kick on the 25-minute mark and repeated the feat six minutes later.

This appeared to refocus the young Eagles and a moment of brilliance came from an unlikely source as big defender Baghuelou picked up a loose ball on the edge of the Wolves box following a Palace corner, dragged it back to leave the Wolves defender sprawling on the floor, and then side-footed home from distance with his right.

Wolves emerged quickest after the restart as the impressive Theo Corbeanu transfixed the Palace defence with a number of stepovers before a long-range curler nestled in the back of Webber’s net just two minutes into the second period.

And the Canadian repeated the feat for Wolves in the 75th minute. A little closer to goal, he again picked up a loose ball and curled it past Webber to bring the scores level at 2-2.

But Omilabu, who came on as an 82nd minute sub had other ideas, powering into the box in the first period of extra time, exchanging passes with Street and slotting home from close range. His goal extended the development team’s season by another game.

The result rounds off a good few weeks for the next generation in SE25, with former academy player Tyrick Mitchell scoring the winner against Aston Villa in their Premier League clash yesterday, while the U18s – in their first season as a category one academy side – were only denied a Premier League U18 South title on goal difference to Fulham, who retained their crown.

PICTURE: PPAUK for CPFC