Palace U21s returned to the VBS under the lights for the first time this season, unbeaten in Premier League 2 and sitting sixth with a game in hand. Leeds, just two points behind in eighth, arrived at a ground that holds fond memories — the scene of their National League Cup triumph in April, when they beat Sutton United 2-1 in the final. Seb Williams dropped to the bench, where he was joined by U18s centre-back Charlie Walker-Smith — rewarded for composed recent outings against Ipswich and Reading. The visitors, meanwhile, fielded a youthful side of their own, with several U18s involved and key figures missing — including captain Alfie Cresswell and talisman Harry Gray. Nascimento didn’t connect cleanly with the header, but inadvertently teed up Rodney, who rifled a half-volley into the net from close range — a confident finish on his return to the XI.