Even with top goalkeeper Nigel Burgess back in the team, Wolves found themselves no match for defending champions North Village in yesterday's Crystal Palace youth final.

The Red Devils took a giant stride towards their fourth straight Crystal Palace title with three goals in a 16-minute spell late in the first half.

Then they coasted as Wolves crashed to their first defeat of the season, having already won the league and Knockout Cup.

Devon Rogers put Village in front with the first of his two goals in the 24th minute when he scored following a corner from the right. Nine minutes later Rogers made it 2-0 after a through ball saw him take on 'keeper Burgess before slipping the ball home.

Burgess, who helped Wolves' senior team reach the FA Cup final, was beaten again right on half-time by Kaiya Darrell.

Except for a few isolated raids in the second half by Wolves, Village continued to dominate play with Jameiko Jennings twice going close in the opening minutes.

His first effort was put over the crossbar from a good position and then moments later he had a shot on target saved by Burgess.

Burgess was being kept busy and two minutes later he blocked a shot from Duane Ray with his body. From the resulting corner on the left the ball hit the near post.

Darrell then fired against the woodwork from close range as Wolves survived another raid.

They did get a rare chance to avoid the shutout late in the game when Jared Peniston dribbled into the box but Eamon Gibbons shot straight at Village goalkeeper Ricardo Brangman.