Darren Powell: "I'm really proud of the boys"

Academy

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Crystal Palace Under-21s head coach Darren Powell hailed a battling performance from his side after the Young Eagles secured a statement 2-1 victory over League Two Swindon Town to open their 2026/27 EFL Trophy campaign.

Palace fell behind against the run of play when Antwoine Hackford capitalised on an error to put the hosts ahead, but Caleb Kporha's stoppage-time equaliser ensured the sides went into the break level.

Seb Williams then completed the turnaround 10 minutes into the second half, producing a superb finish from 25 yards following a cleverly worked short corner, before Powell's side withstood sustained Swindon pressure to secure a fourth successive game without defeat.

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The boys put a massive shift in
—Darren Powell

With injuries particularly affecting his defensive options, Powell was delighted with the character shown by his players.

“Really proud, really proud of the boys,” he said. “We had a few injuries, especially to our defenders, so it was a makeshift back line. Even some of the boys that were playing carried a knock, so for them to put a good shift in was massive.

“Even then, we had to bring young Jacob Fasida on, who has been playing midfield for the U18s, and young Nat Kalembo, one of the youngsters, came on as well. It’s brilliant. The boys put a massive shift in.

“And the main thing about it is just being proud to get on the ball. I think we played some really good football at times.”

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We weren't just hanging on
—Darren Powell

Palace's victory was their first in the EFL Trophy since a 3-1 win over Gillingham in September 2024, and Powell once again highlighted the value of a competition which pits Academy players against experienced senior opposition from League One and League Two.

“These games aren't easy,” he explained. “I said before the game to the boys, this is going to be first contact, second contact, defending the box.

“And they all stood up to it, which is massive and it's good for their development as well. It wasn't one of those games where we were just hanging on.

“I thought we had good chunks of possession and that was kind of the key. Can we hold on to the ball? Can we progress the ball in control through the thirds?

“And I think we did that really well.”

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We have to repeat, repeat
—Darren Powell

The result extended Powell's side's unbeaten start to 26/27 across league and cup competitions, but the head coach was already looking ahead to the challenges to come, with Blackburn Rovers next up in Premier League 2 on Saturday, before another EFL Trophy trip to Plymouth Argyle.

“It's a good group of boys in there, all willing to work hard, and they worked really hard through pre-season,” Powell added. “It's just good when they collectively work together.

“And again, these games aren't easy, so it's a massive bonus. Now we've got to recover and obviously get ourselves prepared for Blackburn. We just don't want this good performance to fall away.

“We have to repeat, repeat. And even after Blackburn, away to Plymouth is going to be difficult as well.”

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He didn't let it affect his performance
—Darren Powell

The victory also provided competitive debuts for summer signing Taha Majni and 15-year-old Nat Kalembo, with Powell particularly pleased by the way Majni responded after his error led to Swindon's opener.

“Taha, obviously, he made a mistake for the first goal, but he stuck with it, and that's a great sign of character,” Powell said. “He didn't let it affect his performance.

“Really, really good in terms of defending the box for us and getting first contact on the headers.

“And then young Nat coming on. Listen, he's come and trained with us a few times and he's a really good boy. He doesn't look out of place.

“His first pass was to Benji down the side and he was competing, winning a couple of headers as well. It's massively impressive for a young player to come and play at this level.”

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Darren Powell: "I'm really proud of the boys"

Academy

JUST NOW

Quote Icons

The boys put a massive shift in
—Darren Powell

With injuries particularly affecting his defensive options, Powell was delighted with the character shown by his players.

“And the main thing about it is just being proud to get on the ball. I think we played some really good football at times.”

Quote Icons

We weren't just hanging on
—Darren Powell

“These games aren't easy,” he explained. “I said before the game to the boys, this is going to be first contact, second contact, defending the box.

“And they all stood up to it, which is massive and it's good for their development as well. It wasn't one of those games where we were just hanging on.

“I thought we had good chunks of possession and that was kind of the key. Can we hold on to the ball? Can we progress the ball in control through the thirds?

“And I think we did that really well.”

Quote Icons

We have to repeat, repeat
—Darren Powell

“It's a good group of boys in there, all willing to work hard, and they worked really hard through pre-season,” Powell added. “It's just good when they collectively work together.

“And again, these games aren't easy, so it's a massive bonus. Now we've got to recover and obviously get ourselves prepared for Blackburn. We just don't want this good performance to fall away.

“We have to repeat, repeat. And even after Blackburn, away to Plymouth is going to be difficult as well.”

Quote Icons

He didn't let it affect his performance
—Darren Powell

“Taha, obviously, he made a mistake for the first goal, but he stuck with it, and that's a great sign of character,” Powell said. “He didn't let it affect his performance.

“Really, really good in terms of defending the box for us and getting first contact on the headers.

“And then young Nat coming on. Listen, he's come and trained with us a few times and he's a really good boy. He doesn't look out of place.

“His first pass was to Benji down the side and he was competing, winning a couple of headers as well. It's massively impressive for a young player to come and play at this level.”

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