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Stuart Massey's side made the perfect start in the competition that saw them reach last year's final with a good win against a Crystal Palace side made up largely of football academy players. 'Leafe thoroughly deserved their win against a side that were a poor advertisement for professional football, numerous fouls and ending up conceding over 40 free kicks and picking up 6 yellow cards.
Whyteleafe started brightly and in the fourth minute, an Andrew Martin free kick was met by the head of Adam Broomhead and saved by Wilkinson. Two minutes later Paul Scott made a strong run down the left and his cross was caught by Wilkinson.
Palace took the lead against the run of play in the 9th minute. The one player to impress on their side, Adelak put a great cross into the box, leaving Edwards to score from close range but he was immediately booked for taking off his shirt. Edwards must count himself lucky to have finished the game after being booked so early as he persistently gave away free kicks throughout the match.
'Leafe had much the better of the game but had to wait until the 32nd minute to equalise. Martin won the ball on the left and his cross was blocked in the box by the hand of Parsons. Martin took the spot kick himself and coolly sent Wilkinson the wrong way.
Seven minutes later Scott put Martin through and his shot was deflected by a defender into the net at the near post, wrong-footing keeper Wilkinson.
The second half had barely got underway when Palace stunned Leafe with a superb equaliser. With little apparent danger, Adelak unleashed a superb 25 yard shot that flew into the top corner of the net.
In the 54th minute, Robbie Smith was brought down for the umpteenth time. Martin took the free kick and Denva McKenzie headed wide. Two minutes later Smith headed wide from another Martin free kick then a minute later Broomhead shot wide after a scramble following a Michael Harney free kick.
With the second half becoming almost like a practice session for 'Leafe they won a whole series of free kicks and it was inevitable that they would score from one. The winner eventually came in the 63rd minute when from another free kick, the ball came through to Martin who took his time, picked his spot and slotted calmly past Wilkinson.
They could have extended the lead with Scott and substitute Carlton Murray-Price both going close in the final minutes and in the end ' Leafe cruised through to the next round.
Whyteleafe: Mann, Patterson-Bohner, Hudson, Reeve (Jabbie 60), Broomhead, Goodchild, McKenzie (Jabbie 56), Smith, Martin (McNamara 77), Scott, Harney.