Crystal Palace 5
(Johnson 3, Black 2)
Glentoran 0

Striker Andy Johnson was back among the goals with a hat-trick, as Crystal Palace rounded off their tour of Northern Ireland in emphatic style on Saturday.

A first-half brace at the Oval from the Palace hitman put his side 2-0 up at the break against Northern Ireland Cup winners Glentoran.

Tommy Black's double took his tally to four in two pre-season games, before Johnson headed home his third to complete the rout.

A five-goal margin looked unlikely in the opening period however, when new signing Julian Speroni produced two outstanding saves to keep the scores level.

At the other end Palace were creating plenty of chances with Tony Popovic, Danny Butterfield and Dougie Freedman going close.

It was Freedman who created the opener for Johnson when his drive crashed back off the crossbar and he nodded down for Johnson to volley home from 12 yards.

Johnson had a header ruled out for offside, but minutes later he doubled the lead when he burst onto Ben Watson's through-ball to coolly slot home.

Black got in on the act after the break, heading home from close range.

He underlined his good form by latching onto a Freedman pass to fire home.

The hosts started to ring the changes but it was to no avail as Gareth Williams and Tyrone Berry combined to present AJ with a simple header for his hat-trick. Johnson returned the favour for Berry, but the youngster was twice unable to convert simple chances.

Goalkeeping trialist Gabor Kiraly, 28, replaced Speroni at the break but was largely untroubled, while new signings Emmerson Boyce and Mark Hudson both played the second half.

Around 100 Eagles supporters eagerly awaited the introduction of Finnish winger Joonas Kolkka, but he was not risked despite warming up.

Palace's out-of-contract midfielder Michael Hughes travelled with the squad, but was not used in either game.

Iain Dowie said: "The games were very valuable. They came a bit early, especially the Crusaders game.

"The lads worked very hard for two days, so come Wednesday night the legs were hanging, but they got through it well, and we have virtually no injuries.

"A very good trip, the new lads bonded in quite well.

"Julian Speroni made one outstanding save when we had a difficult ten minutes. He did very well, kicked and collected the ball well in a competent half."

Palace: Speroni (Kiraly 45), Butterfield (Boyce 45), Powell (Hudson 45), Popovic (Togwell 70), Granville (Leigertwood 60), Routledge (Berry 65), Riihilathi, Watson (Soares 65), Borrowdale (Black 45), Johnson, Freedman (Williams 65). Sub not used: Kolkka