Sears scores on debut

Freddie Sears made a goalscoring debut to his season-long loan spell at Crystal Palace on Monday.

The 19-year-old striker, who linked up with the Coca-Cola Championship side last month, was among the scorers in a 5-2 pre-season friendly victory over Crystal Palace USA in Baltimore, Maryland.

Fellow forward Alan Lee scored the Eagles' first goal before Sears netted the second. Two own-goals and an Alesanne 'Diaye strike completed the scoring for the tourists.

The teenager also scored on his West Ham United debut, netting a late winner in the 2-1 Barclays Premier League victory over Blackburn Rovers at the Boleyn Ground on 15 March 2008.

Sears could make his second Palace appearance in the club's fixture against United Soccer League outfit Harrisburg City Islanders at the Lancaster's Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on Thursday evening.

Palace open their Championship campaign at home to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday 8 August.