It all got started at an overcast Copers Cope on Saturday morning, as Palace Under-18s – whose free-scoring form has already powered them to some spectacular results this season – ground out a harder-fought, but just as professional, 2-0 win over Reading. Palace settled into possession well early on and their patience was rewarded in the seventh minute. A long, searching pass from Charlie Walker-Smith forced a defensive error – a misjudged header followed by a wayward backpass – which presented Stuart Oduro with a golden opportunity. Alert and lively, Oduro used his pace to get in behind the defence, showed great composure, and stretched to prod the ball home – giving the young Eagles a deserved lead with his fifth goal of the 2025/26 campaign.