U21s report: Nascimento brace seals QPR win

Summary:

• Darren Powell's side are boosted by the return of the Academy graduates who went to Como.
• 3: QPR register the first shot on target.
• 10: Drakes-Thomas’ dipping effort is just past the post.
• 15 - GOAL: An alert Nascimento turns home close-range to open the scoring.
• 17: Sealey’s audacious shot from distance is tipped behind.
• 25: QPR’s penalty appeals are waved away.
• 27: Nascimento’s shot towards the far post is pushed away.
• 30 - GOAL: Nascimento nets from the spot.
• 39: Kporha's low-driven strike is denied by a fingertip save.
• Half-time: Palace U21s 2-0 QPR Development
• 60: Powell makes five changes.
• 65: Frazer-Williams’ pull-back is scrambled clear, before Whyte’s follow-up is charged down.
• 75: Williams half-volleys across goal, but nobody turns home.
• 79: Hill tips a fierce effort onto the bar.
• 80: Nascimento rounds the ‘keeper before Williams turns wide on the swivel.
• 87: Adams-Collman’s fizzed shot is gathered.
• Full-time: Palace U21s 2-0 QPR

It followed pre-season friendlies against Dagenham & Redbridge and Horsham FC, as well as a five-day tour of Rotterdam which ended with a 2-2 draw against Feyenoord.

Palace were boosted by the return of Academy graduates Charlie Walker-Smith, George King and Joel Drakes-Thomas, who travelled with the first team to northern Italy for last week’s Como Cup.

QPR made the brighter start, registering the first effort on target inside three minutes, but it failed to trouble Harry Lee. Palace responded immediately, Tyler Whyte flashing a dangerous delivery across the face of goal.

With possession evenly matched, both sides probed without finding a way through. Drakes-Thomas came agonisingly close to capitalising on a loose pass on 10 minutes, lifting the ball over the onrushing ‘keeper, only for it to bounce the wrong side of the post.

From there, the momentum was firmly with Palace, who took the lead five minutes later. A pinpoint inswinging cross saw pinball ensue before Adler Nascimento reacted quickest to turn the ball home.

Amaari Sealey almost doubled the advantage soon after, his ambitious effort from distance turned behind for a corner.

Midway through the half, the pendulum swung back towards QPR, who began to dominate possession and territory. Their pressure led to appeals for a penalty, but they were waved away.

Moments later, Sealey forced a turnover on the edge of the QPR box and teed up Nascimento, whose effort was well saved by the diving ‘keeper.

Palace restored their two-goal advantage approaching the final third when Nascimento won a penalty after drifting inside from the right. The forward stepped up and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way, finding the left corner for his fourth goal of pre-season.

Nearing the break, a neat give-and-go between Kai-Reece Adams-Collman and Drakes-Thomas sent the latter down the right. He slipped through Kporha, who drove a low, angled effort towards the far corner, but the ‘keeper tipped it behind.

That proved to be the last action of the half and Palace went into the break two goals for the good.

QPR started the second half on the front foot, with the Young Eagles forced to withstand a succession of shots and crosses.

Palace stayed disciplined under pressure until a number of fresh legs were introduced on the hour, including the returning Joe Gibbard.

The changes had an instant impact. Nascimento was played down the left and found Khyan Frazer-Williams, whose pull-back was scrambled clear before Whyte’s follow-up was charged down.

Palace were soon on top, attacking in waves. On 75 minutes, Nascimento clipped a free-kick for Seb Williams to chase to the left of the area and half-volley across goal, but nobody in white was there to turn home.

QPR threatened again late on, but Hill made an excellent save to tip a powerful strike onto the crossbar. At the other end, Nascimento got in behind and rounded the ‘keeper before Williams turned sharply and grazed the post.

Adams-Collman had the Young Eagles’ final chance, firing an instinctive low drive towards the bottom-left corner, but the ‘keeper gathered.

The win was Palace’s first of pre-season, with Powell's side now turning their attention to their 2026/27 opener away to Arsenal on Saturday, 22nd August (KO: 13:00 BST).

Palace U21s: Lee (Hill); Walker-Smith (Somade, 45, Sealey, 85), King A (Jasper Judd, 60), Trialist A; Whyte, Adams-Collman (Danaher, 60), Okoli, Kporha (Frazer-Williams, 45); Sealey (Williams, 60), Nascimento, Drakes-Thomas (Gibbard, 60).