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U23 Team - Season 2016/17

Discussion in 'Fulham' started by Cottager58, Jul 20, 2016.

  1. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    West Ham 2 Fulham 0 (PL2)

    Jack Grimmer was back from his time at Shrewsbury The Club have kept that one quiet! And what an experience for Matt O'Riley - playing for the U18s on Friday and coming off the bench at half time to play at the Olympic Stadium tonight.

    Disappointing result though against a mid-table side. The team was:

    Joronen, Grimmer, Opoku, Smile, Sheckleford, Jenz, Kait, Harris (O'Riley 45'), Adebayo, Williams, Thorsteinsson (S. Sessegnon 45')

    Unused subs: L. Ashby-Hammond, Mundle-Smith and Elstone


    [Club report to follow]
     
    #61
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  2. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Swansea look as though they've clinched the title; they beat Norwich 2-0 last night. With our result and only 4 games left there's no way we'll now close the gap but ... we can still make the play offs.

    Here's our Club reporter's summary of the West Ham match:


    "It was a hard game for Fulham as West Ham looked to dominate the ball and controlled the match. The Whites had the first clear cut chance less than five minutes in. A corner was swung in by Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson and was met by George Wiliams, who managed to get his head to the fast moving ball. There was plenty of power behind the ball and the shot rattled off the bar to keep the game level.

    West Ham worked their way into the game and had a few long efforts that sailed high. Their attacks only increased the further clock ran on. In the 19th minute Holland’s chance game as he cut inside the defender into the box and curled a shot past an outstretched Jesse Joronen to give the Hammers the lead. Fulham had a chance to level things five minutes later as Josh Smile took a free kick 25 yards out to the left and struck the ball near bottom corner but keeper Nathan Trott got low and scooped the effort up.

    Moments later on the counter Holland looked to double his tally with the same move, cutting in onto his right and striking the ball, this time however Joronen was able to get across to the ball and force it out for a corner. West Ham kept possession and made it hard for Fulham to get many chances away as the Whites probed their defence higher up the pitch.

    The second half was no more fruitful for the Whites as the Hammers increased pressure on Joronen’s goal. Steven Sessegnon, who came on at the start of the second half found himself in space twice inside the box, but was not able to level things as he fired both shots on target but Trott was able to saved each time. As the game was reaching its close in the 89th minute West Ham doubled their lead to secure the win. They played a one-two through the Whites’ defence and Coventry struck the ball into the back of the net from the 6 yard line.
    "
     
    #62
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  3. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Fulham 4 Charlton 2 (PL Cup - Group Stage)

    Ragnur Sigurdsson stretched his legs tonight and Matt O'Riley started. The team was: T. Ashby-Hammond, Sheckleford, S.Sessegnon, Smile, Sigurdsson, Jenz, Kait, O'Riley, Adebayo, Williams, Thorsteinsson

    Tad thin on the bench; Opoku and Elstone (the only other named player, Jesse Joronen, called of literally at the last minute)

    Great win for the lads which confirms their position at the top of the Group with a game to spare. The scoreline doesn't do justice to how in charge the guys were. It would be impossible to count the number of chances we created without scoring and both Charlton goals, one in each half, were against the run of play. Stars for us on the night were Matt O'Riley with 1 goal (43') and 1 assist (79') and wee Georgie Williams with 2 goals (44' and 67').


    [Club report to follow - which will undoubtedly describe how famous that left foot of young O'Riley is becoming; not that there's anything amiss with his right one.]

     
    #63
  4. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Our Club reporter's summary:

    "The first chance came in the fourth minute as Steven Sessegnon drove up field and darted in from the left. He found his way through a number of midfielders in red shirts before slotting a perfectly weighted pass to Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson. Dimitar Mitov, the Charlton keeper was off his line quickly and blocked his effort on goal. Five minutes later it was Fulham once more with the attack, as the ball was played to the right of the box and Josh Smile looked up and shot hard and low. Mitov managed to get down just in time to knock his shot wide past the post. Charlton countered and could have had a chance to get a shot away until Taye Ashby-Hammond sprinted off his line quickly to extinguish the attack by winger Karlan Ahearne-Grant who was a handful throughout the 90 minutes. 18 minutes into the match and a great chance presented itself for Fulham. Ryheem Sheckleford rolled a ball out wide of the box to Mattias Kait, who in turn put a sublime cross through the area. A scramble ensued and the ball ended up at Elijah Adebayo’s feet, he just poked it just wide as he was close to getting off the mark.

    Fulham were in control of the game and put real pressure on the Charlton goal. A corner flew into the box and Adebayo headed a thunderous effort which shook the cross bar. Adebayo caused the Charlton defence problems throughout the evening. He sprinted past his defender, tight to the touchline and whipped a cross through the box. Williams flew in but couldn’t get on the end of it as it passed him by inches and his momentum carried him into the back of the net. Charlton worked their way into the match half an hour in, and they got a chance from a corner. The ball was put into the box and Reeco Hackett-Fairchild volleyed wildly sent his effort well over the goal.

    At the other end of the pitch Kait had a chance also with a header at goal. His effort was saved and the Addicts sprung a counter up the pitch. Ahearne-Grant, who presented a danger through the contest made his way forward. He held the ball up and offloaded it right of the box to Hackett-Fairchild, who shot with his left from 25 yards out and put it past Ashby-Hammond to give the Addicts the advantage in the match and made it 1-0, it would be fair to say it was against the run of play.

    Fulham were straight into the attack as play resumed and it took eight minutes for the Whites to respond. Having won a free kick outside the box, Matt O’Riley took the responsibility. From the edge of the D he smashed a ball low into the wall, the ball bounced off a defender and landed back to his feet. With his second invitation he rocketed the ball into the left hand corner to make it one goal a piece.

    It took less than two minutes after the goal for Fulham to take the lead. Josh Smile accelerated right down the pitch as he saw space open up in front of him. He whipped a ball across the six yard line and Mitov rushed off his line out but this time there was nothing he could do as George Williams got an ever so slight connection on the ball and it bounced over the line to double Fulham’s lead which they took into the break..

    Charlton created themselves a couple of chances through Ahearne-Grant, with two headers saved comfortably by Ashby-Hammond. The third goal finally came in the 67th minute Adebayo picked the ball up in midfield and looked for Williams sprinting through the defence. He slotted a ball through and George Williams collected for a one on one with the keeper. He expertly shot to the right and the ball nestled in the back of the net to double his tally and give Fulham the comfortable lead they deserved.

    Williams looked for his hat-trick as soon as play had resumed again, finding the ball out wide and smashing an effort into the side netting. Charlton to their credit kept looking for ways to get back into the game and within 5 minutes of Williams’ goal they found an avenue. Danger man Ahearne-Grant attacked from the right and Ashby-Hammond came off his line to stay the offence. Ashby-Hammond got a block to the ball but the Charlton attacker curled an effort from 25 yards out that beat the defenders rushing back to the near post to narrow the gap to one goal at 3-2.

    Entering into the last ten minutes Fulham put the game out of reach for the Addicts. A wonderful through ball from O’Riley to Williams out wide, and the Welshman curled a pinpoint cross to Elijah Adebayo who nodded it across the keeper heading in the other direction. The two goal cushion gave the Whites the lead they needed as Ashby-Hammond made a very important save with five minutes to go in the match. They saw out the game and took the thoroughly deserved three points.
    "
     
    #64
  5. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Wimbledon 0 Fulham 2 (PL Cup - Group Stage)

    Neat win for the lads in their final group game to confirm finishing top; played for some reason behind closed doors at the Dark Side's training ground in Cobham. Great to see Foday Nabay back after a really long lay off with an injury. He played the first half before being replaced by the now becoming U23 regular, Matt O'Riley.

    Wee Georgie Williams was on the scoresheet again, joined by Elijah Adebayo with his first since returning from his short loan spell. Highlight of the day though has to be the injury time penalty save by Taye Ashby-Hammond. The team was:

    T. Ashby-Hammond, Sheckleford, Mundle-Smith (Martin 45), Smile, Opoku, Jenz (Harris 69), Kait, Nabay (O'Riley 45), Adebayo, Williams, Thorsteinsson

    Unused subs: Lukwata and Elstone


    [Club report to follow]
     
    #65
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  6. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Our Club reporter summarises the game:

    "The match kicked off and within two minutes Fulham put pressure on the Wimbledon defence. Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson weaved his way through midfield and passed to Mattias Kait, who sent a through ball to George Williams. The Welshman managed to get a shot off low, but Nik Tzanev who was in goal for the Dons managed to poke it wide. A moment later the corner was swung in and Jerome Opoku stretched out a leg and knocked the ball on target, but Tzanez was on hand once more and caught his effort. The match then settled for ten minutes until Thorsteinsson won the ball in midfield. He offloaded to Foday Nabay who slotted a through ball to Adebayo running at pace. Adebayo held the ball up well, a trait throughout game. Thorsteinsson had caught up with play and received the ball at the edge of the area and curled a shot over the top corner.

    Fulham kept the ball well and Wimbledon were putting pressure on the back four, trying to force a mistake. It took 17 minutes for the Dons to have their first threat at goal. Wimbledon won a free kick to the left of the area high up the pitch. The ball was lofted towards the back post to a waiting big defender, but Kait managed to get his head to the ball and tip it over his head. The Whites were creative throughout the first half. Thorsteinsson played a long ball to Kait, he brought the ball under his control and Williams snached possession off him and wildly shot wide.

    Within minutes Williams found himself in a similar position, but this time made more of a controlled effort that went very close to the post. The pressure from Fulham mounted and the breakthrough goal came in the 35th minute as Thorsteinsson played an exquisite ball straight to Elijah Adebayo’s feet inside the box. He calmly slotted his shot right of the keeper and wheeled off in celebration after giving Fulham a deserved lead.

    Wimbledon looked to get straight back into the game. Egli Kaja crossed the ball in and Toyos Olusanya who headed it just over the bar. Wimbledon made several attacks down the channels, crossing balls into the box with nobody was able to put the ball in the back of the net.


    Five minutes into the second half Josh Smile was brought down high up the pitch. He played his free kick short to substitute Matt O’Riley, who ran across the face of goal as he looked to let fly, but his shot blocked by an oncoming defender. Ten minutes later and the Whites were putting more pressure on the Dons defence once again. A corner was whipped in and Adebayo managed to get to it near post. He attempted to steer the ball towards goal but a blue shirt blocked the effort.

    Ryheem Sheckleford found some joy in the last quarter of the match down the right of the pitch as he started to get forward. He sprinted past his defender cut a ball inside to Kait, who in turn rifled a cross to Williams in the box but he could only hook it wide of the upright. Sheckleford broke forward once again and but this time he was pulled down outside the area with the Dons defence unable to keep up with him. Thorsteinsson and O’Riley stood over the ball, and the former hammered a shot over the cross bar.

    The game was sealed in the 79th minute as the Whites made their dominance count. Adebayo held the ball up high up the pitch and was pulled down by a defender.
    Quick thinking from Kait saw him take a quick free kick, sending a through ball along the floor to George Williams who was sprinting into the box and was faced with a one on one with the keeper. Williams coolly slotted the ball past the keeper to make it 11 goals in 11 games.

    The match look done and dusted, but Wimbledon piled men forward and sent long balls into the box. Sheckleford committed a foul in the area and the ref awarded a penalty in injury time. Jayden Antwi struck his penalty bottom left and Ashby-Hammond guessed correctly and got a strong hand to the ball to keep it out of the goal and to maintain his clean sheet.
    "
     
    #66
  7. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    The U23s have been drawn away to Norwich in the first knockout game of the PL Cup.
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    #67
  8. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Fulham 1 West Brom 1 (PL2)

    Always comfortable, you could say the lads managed this game rather than totally controlled it. That was due mainly to a touch of class at centre back and from a certain No.8 in central midfield. Unfortunately the said No. 8 had to go off in the 78th minute with what looked like a back injury. Whether that caused the defensive lapse which allowed West Brom to equalise 7 mins from the end who knows.

    To be honest we were a bit weak up front. Despite that the game should have been out of sight and the unluckiest guy on the pitch was captain Josh Smile who drew a hatful of great saves from the West Brom goalie and one from a post.

    Top of the table Swansea also drew tonight (2-2 v Wolves) and take the title. All is not lost though, we only need 3 points from the final 3 games to make the play offs. The team was:

    Joronen, Sheckleford, Fossey, Smile, Davies, Jenz, de la Torre, O'Riley (S. Sessegnon 78'), Adebayo, Williams, Thorsteinsson

    Unused subs: T. Asby-Hammond, Foday and Walker


    [Blow by blow account from our Club reporter to follow.]
     
    #68
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2017
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  9. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Our Club reporter's column:

    "The first big opportunity in the match fell to the Whites. Matth O’Riley stole the ball in midfield before passing to Luca de la Torre down the right of the pitch. He tried to cross the ball in before it was blocked for a corner. The corner was swung in and Elijah Adebayo headed a shot on target and appeared to be going in before a West Brom defender cleared the ball off the line. de la Torre looked full of confidence beating men through the middle using his electric pace and looked to get the ball forward at every opportunity to Adebayo, who got a couple more early shots away which were blocked.

    Fulham had the lions share of the possession in the first half and coupled that with attacking intent. Their pressure on West Broms goal came good 18 minutes into the match. The play started with Williams squeezing a ball through to Adebayo in the box, but there was a little too much fizz on the ball. Adebayo wrestled the ball back and played in the Welshman and the tackle came in to clear the ball for a corner. The corner was swung in and knocked downwards to the feet of Moritz Jenz, who calmly swept the ball into the back of the net to give the Whites the advantage they deserved.

    The Baggies had their first real opportunity of the match 25 minutes in. They were awarded a free kick 20 yards out near the middle of the D. Alex Bradley’s effort hit the wall, but Brad Sweeney followed up from the rebound and missed the top right by a matter of inches as a warning to the Whites. Just before the break Fulham had another promising attack, Sheckleford put de la Torre in down the right of the goal once more and this time his cross was blocked by the defenders arm. The referee decided that the contact was unavoidable and waved play on. Smile wanted to get in on the action with a couple of shots, one absolute stinger from outside the area, and the Baggies keeper somehow kept it out of his net. The half ended with Fulham a goal to the good.

    The match however changed with the half time break. West Brom came back onto the field and worked had to break down Fulham’s possession, getting onto the ball more themselves and venturing forward. It didn’t take long before West Brom had a good chance, nicking possession in midfield before Rakeem Harper send a wildly swerving shot, which was blocked by Jesse Joronen and bounced out the box. Bradley had the next chance from long range, testing Joronen once more, this time he gathered the ball without problem.

    Chances were being created at both ends and the next goal could have come from either team. Williams sprinted left of the box and cut the ball back, the ball made its way to Smile, who curled his shot this time and the keeper scampered across his line to knock his effort past the post the keep the deficit to one goal. 70 minutes in and WBA were pressing hard. Joronen was called into action again, this time saving a shot at close range. Sheckleford was on had to slide in and block following shot.

    The game was end to end in the final 15. Fossey won the ball in his half and sprinted up the pitch with Thorsteinsson to his left. Fossey drew his attacker in and played Thorsteinsson through down the right. The Icelandic winger sprayed a ball across the box, and it was the closest chance the Whites had come by this point after the goal. Any touch could have doubled their lead.

    Fulham were having a good period, controlling play once more until the 83rd minute, when a ball fell to West Brom’s substitute Meridith on the edge of the box. Meridith got a clean strike on the ball, and the shot creeped under Joronen as he tried to get down. the ball went under him and into the back of the net to give West Brom their equaliser. Fulham nearly stole the match at the death as substitute Sessgenon bullied his way into the box, the ball was cleared as far as Smile who cannoned an effort once more, this time into the left post. The ball rebounded to Thorsteinsson who’s effort curled just over. The Whites were very close to taking all three points.
    "
     
    #69
  10. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Norwich 5 Fulham 5 (AET) (PL Cup)

    Not one for the faint hearted, the match was 3-3 at the end of normal time and we looked to have nicked the tie until Norwich got an equaliser in the last gasps of extra time. Taking it to a penalty shoot out. Wee Georgie Williams kept his record intact and slammed in the first one; ditto the Norwich guy, then the next two were saved but no jitters from Captain Josh Smile who stepped up to put the lads 2-1 in front .... (more after the match report) ....

    The team were missing Matt O'Riley through injury and goalie Jesse Joronen off on his international tour but otherwise unchanged:

    T. Ashby-Hammond; Sheckleford, Davies, Jenz, Fossey (Walker 46'); Smile, Edun; Kait, Williams, Thorsteinsson (Nabay 116'); Adebayo

    Unused subs: Norman, Mundle-Smith


    The match kicked off in at the windy training ground, and the first clear cut attack of the game came from the Whites in the seventh minute. George Williams received the ball just outside the box and played a through ball to Tayo Edun, running at pace into the left of the area. He only needed one touch and slotted it left of the keeper into the net to give Fulham an early advantage. Five minutes later Norwich showed warning signs of getting back into the match. Bewley Ashby-Seal cut a ball back through the box, with Louis McIntosh cleverly stepping over the ball for it to roll to an unmarked Ebou Adams who shot it over the bar. The first quarter hour of the game the Whites controlled well, with the lion’s share of the possession whilst trying to work their way into the Norwich final third. Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson played a lovely weighted pass into Elijah Adebayo, whose shot was blocked out for a corner.

    The match exploded into action, and when Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson received a pass over 25 yards from goal, he let loose a ferocious strike. He shot left, across the goal and the ball swerved past the keeper into the net to double the Whites’ advantage. It didn’t take long for the Canaries to get back into the game. Two minutes after Thorsteinsson’s goal, McIntosh made his way into the Fulham area with the ball. He got an effort away before being closed down, and his shot past Taye Ashby-Hammond, in goal for Fulham, to half the deficit. That goal opened up the game, and Norwich’s persistence paid dividends with an equaliser coming in the 40th minute. Todd Cantwell ran at the backline and dinked the ball through to McIntosh, he executed a Cruyff turn and coolly slotted past Ashby-Hammond to level the match.

    Thorsteinsson was straight back on the attack with a free-kick. His effort was on target, and Aston Oxborough in goal for the Canaries had to scamper across the goal line to knock it past the post for a corner. Just before the break Ashley-Seal took a turn to run at the Fulham defence. He passed to McIntosh waiting inside the box right of the goal, and smashed his effort past Ashby-Hammond for his hat-trick, and to put Norwich in the lead for the first time, making it 3-2.

    The second half started well for the Whites, getting on the ball more and going forward well. Ryheem Sheckleford hit some good balls into the box, and Williams curled an effort wide from the edge of the area. Fulham came very close to equalising in the 61st minute of the game. Edun ran down the left of the pitch and bamboozled his defender with a turn. He put a brilliant cross in to Adebayo but he went with his foot when his head would have done the trick. The Fulham pressure in the second half came good in the 69th minute. Josh Smile crossed a corner into the box and Mattias Kait rose up near the back post and with a powerful header put the ball past the Norwich goalkeeper, to make things even once more.

    To say the least, the match was end to end. Straight after the goal the Canaries were on the attack again, and Ashby-Hammond was called into action, making a fantastic save to keep the score level. Four minutes before the end of normal time, Ashby-Hammond was called upon once more, similar effort to the last but a fantastic save nonetheless to keep the Whites in the game.Deep into injury time the Whites were awarded a free-kick centred outside the area. Williams and Smile stood over the ball, and the Welshman took the honours, dipping his free-kick over the wall. The keeper just got a hand to the ball, pushing it out for a corner. The following corner a scramble ensued, and the ball was cleared. Josh Walker got onto the ball and with the final shot of the 90 hit it inches past the post. The ref blew his whistle to signal extra-time would be played.

    Four minutes into extra-time and Josh Walker received the ball in the area from Edun on the left, and the substitute fired his shot without hesitation straight past the keeper, to give Fulham the lead in extra time, making it 3-4. Typical of this crazy game it took less than a minute for the Canaries to equalise. They attacked down the left of the pitch. Adams beat his defender, ran into the box and shot hard, hitting the crossbar before bouncing over the line. The Whites had finally thought they had won it, with Thorsteinsson sprinting into the box with his defender chasing him. As he was closing in on goal, the defender chopped the Icelandic attacker down, giving away a penalty. George Williams stepped up to the plate and dispatched it, rocketing it into the roof of the net.

    The final goal came in the final minutes. The hat-trick hero McIntosh pulled a ball back to Anthony Spyrou, who had come on in extra time, and he passed it into the back of the net from the six yard line to ensure the match finished with penalties."


    ... and so, to return to the penalties .. with us 2-1 ahead from the Josh Smile strike, Norwich scored with their next two whereas we unfortunately missed ours.

    Really, really unluckily the lads have therefore gone out of the Cup 3-2 on penalties. Absolutely no disgrace though - Norwich have proven to be a bogey team this season (the last league game ended 2-2 with theirs being an o.g.and a penalty). And bear in mind how young this team playing at U23 level is.
     
    #70
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2017

  11. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Despite being on loan since January Stevie Humphrys is sill the leading PL2 goal scorer.


    upload_2017-3-26_14-27-2.png
     
    #71
  12. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Fulham (U23s) 0 USA 1 (U20s) Friendly

    Billed as the U23s but there were an awful lot of our young lads around the team in this limbering-up friendly this afternoon. Also, you have to wonder when wee Georgie Williams will catch the Gaffer's affections.

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    The team was:

    Norman, Fossey, Sheckleford, Opoku, Edun, Smile, O'Riley, Thorsteinsson, Adebayo (Elstone 70'), Martin (Harris 74'), Williams

    Unused subs: T. Ashby-Hammond and S.Sessegnon


    "The USA kicked off the match started with an attack down the right hand side but Magnus Norman, in goal for the Whites on return to the PL2 side since his loan to Southport FC, extinguished the first attack. 15 minutes into the match and both teams were trying to work each other out. The Stars and Stripes won the first corner of the game. They bundled a Fulham defender over in the box and poked the ball into the back of the net, the ref blew his whistle for a Fulham free kick.George Williams was the next to have a chance, the ball was slotted through to the Welshman and he managed a shot but a defender in blue was quick to react and block his effort. Fulham started to get a grip on the game.

    Five minutes later and Marlon Fossey was finding joy down the right of the pitch, a long ball from Ryheem Sheckleford gave Fossey time and space to whip a teasing ball across the face of goal, but Adebayo was flagged for starting his run early. The deadlock was broken in the 20th minute by the USA. Their number 9 struck a pinpoint shot from the edge of the area into the bottom right corner, beating Norman.

    Both teams traded attacks and possession, and 35 minutes in the USA came close to a second, splitting the Fulham defenders but Sheckleford did well to block the shot for a corner. Tayo Edun, who worked tirelessly in midfield for the whole 90 minutes sprayed a ball out wide to Fossey, who was playing against his national side for the afternoon. Fossey attempted a cross but it was sent out for a corner. The ball was curled to the back post and bounced awkwardly for Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson as he headed on target but without the power needed to put it away. Thornsteinsson before the break got on the ball a lot more, he chose to shoot from far, and that effort sailed over the bar. Moments later in the same position he sold his defender with a turn before letting lose, this time an America defender got there to block his effort.

    The first 15 minutes of the second half was a mirror image. The USA were using rolling subs and the team was ever changing, both teams were trying to work each other out once more. Edun managed to steal the ball high up the pitch and pass to Adebayo in the box, but he was quickly closed down. The Whites gained a free kick 30 yards out, left of goal and Thorsteinsson stood over the ball. He sent a cross into the box, aiming for Adebayo but had a little too much on the ball and the keeper managed to take it first. With Michael Elstone’s introduction in the 70th minute, he didn’t have to wait long before getting involved. He made a good run down the left and then put a ball in for Edun, who was tackled out of play for a corner.

    The best chance of the match was created with just over ten minutes to go. Josh Smile broke down the left into the box and pulled a clever ball back to George Williams, who smashed his effort into the right post. The Whites regained possession and attacked this time from the right and lofted a ball backpost to Elstone, who was unmarked yet couldn’t get a proper connection and sent his effort wide. Fulham were in control of the last quarter of an hour but couldn't find the breakthrough, with Williams getting onto the ball high up once more. He tried to create himself some space before hooking a shot just wide of the right post once again.

    Just before the full-time whistle, Williams and Elstone sprung forward but the lineman’s flag went up once more and George Williams smashed the ball into the back of the net with the goal being disallowed."

     
    #72
  13. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Newcastle 3 Fulham 1 (PL2)

    A win would have guaranteed a play off spot. However, with that result Newcasle now jump a point ahead of us and we've got to fight on. Not sure what was wrong with him but think we may have missed Aron Davies being out today.The team was:

    Norman; Fossey, Sheckleford, Jenz, Edun; O'Riley (Harris 60'), Smile; de la Torre, Williams, Thorsteinsson; Adebayo

    Unused subs: T. Ashby-Hammond, S. Sessegnon and Elstone


    "Newcastle kicked off and went on the front foot from the start, with Heardman running into the channel and shooting wildly wide in the first 30 seconds. The Whites responded by keeping possession, concentrating their attacks down the left. Tayo Edun squeezed a ball through his defender’s legs to Luca de la Torre. The American got his shot away but Matz Sels, in between the sticks for the Magpies, pushed it wide. Newcastle sent an early warning to Fulham from a corner, hitting a ball to Heardman in the box, he got a free header but sent it well over the bar.

    But 11 minutes in a Newcastle defender delivered a loose pass and Josh Smile pounced on it, hammering it at goal 25 yards out. He beat Sels to give the Whites an early breakthrough goal.

    The visitors looked confident after the breakthrough, Smile sent a long ball out wide that Edun chased down and hit a cross with his first touch towards Elijah Adebayo. Sels was first to meet it and punched it to Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson, who tried to bend it inside the right post but went wide. It took until the 27th minute for the next good chance, Thorsteinsson stole the ball in midfield, drove at goal and curled another effort, this time dipping to the left. The keeper read it well and got low and took the ball in his gloves. Newcastle found their way back into the game in the 33rd minute. The Whites had been in control up to this point, but a ball was looped in over the defender and their big number nine Heardman nodded it in to level the match.

    Newcastle struck again a matter of minutes later. A clearance from their goalie bounced at the feet of the Fulham centre-backs, and Newcastle winger Fernandez took advantage of some miscommunication and created himself a one-on-one. He slotted it past Magnus Norman to double Newcastle’s lead. Fulham couldn’t get settled, and moments after the game resumed Newcastle won possession wide on the left, whipped a ball into the box and Heardman was there to poke the ball home for his second to give Newcastle a cushion in the game. De la Torre almost reduced the deficit just before the half-time whistle, smashing a ball on target, but Sels made a fantastic diving save.

    The second half kicked off and neither team could get as much time on the ball. Adebayo had the first chance, sprinting down the right but hitting wide of the right post. Marlon Fossey mounted several attacks down the right, attempting to get supply into the box. He crossed one low but it was intercepted, while his next flew high and no red shirt could get near enough to it. Thorsteinsson was next with an attack from the left, crossing the ball across the goal line but it wasn’t read and the score remained at 3-1.

    De la Torre looked for a long range effort during the game, and from the edge of the box he sent a storming shot on target, matched once more by the diving Newcastle keeper. The ball ended up with Edun again at the edge of the box and his shot was closed down. Newcastle sat deep and soaked up the pressure for the second half, especially for the last quarter of an hour. The Magpies won a free-kick right of the box with 10 minutes to go, and swung a ball into the back post. Their attacker managed to get a shot away and Norman got there, making a crucial block to keep the deficit at two goals.

    Fulham almost got a goal in the last six minutes of time, as a free-kick from Smile was punched out by Sels. The ball landed at Fossey’s feet who smashed the ball into the box, and with a nasty deflection was almost carried into the net, but the keeper got low and pushed it wide. In the dying minutes Newcastle mounted a counter attack and got a shot away, with Sheckleford making an important block for a corner. Norman came out and claimed the ball, distributing it long for George Williams to chase. He couldn’t get to it and the referee blew to signal the end of the match."

     
    #73
  14. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Blackburn 3 Fulham 2 (PL2)

    Cor, the lads are making hard work of getting into the play offs. A result tonight would have done it. Good to see wee Georgie Williams still banging in the goals though - he got our two tonight and had one disallowed. The team was:

    Norman, Sheckleford, Edun, Smile (o'Riley 35'), Davies (Opoku 45'), Jenz, De la Torre, Kait, Adebayo (Harris 74'), Williams, Thorsteinsson

    Unused subs: T. Ashby-Hammond and Elstone


    [Club report to follow]
     
    #74
  15. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    From our Club reporter, who I suspect may be writing with slightly rose tinted glasses. Someone else at the game suggested it was very niggledy and we gave away at least two goals with rank bad defending.


    "The match kicked off and Fulham started the better of the two teams, with Williams and Elijah Adebayo chasing down balls forward and pestering the Blackburn defence. The first real chance came in the 6th minute as Adebayo nodded a high ball over the defence for Williams to run onto. The Welshman took it at his feet and shot straight past the keeper, but the flag was up and the score remained level. Minutes later the Whites had another golden chance, Mattias Kait passing the ball across the face of goal. Adebayo at the far post attempted to back-heal the ball into the goal, but the Rovers keeper made a crucial save.

    Blackburn’s first chance came in the 12th minute, Joseph Rankin-Costello shot on target from the left but Magnus Norman saw it all the way and caught it without any problems. Ten minutes later it was Adebayo with a great chance to break the deadlock. The number nine was through on goal and he let loose, and he somehow the Rovers keeper pushed it out for a corner. At the quarter mark point that the Whites were in control of the match, Sheckleford slotted a perfectly weighted ball to Williams, he got a cross away to de la Torre. The American fired at goal and it floored a defender with the ball smashing into his head.

    Tayo Edun was next with the great chance, bearing down at goal from the left, he slightly pulled his shot wide of the right post. Just before the half time break Blackburn attacked Fulhams goal. The strike fired a dipping shot from the edge of the area and Norman punched it over his bar to keep the score level going into the break.


    With the second half under way the Whites were keeping possession but Blackburn were pressing hard looking for mistakes. Eight minutes into the half the deadlock was finally broken by Fulham. Jerome Opoku, who had come on for Davies at half time sent a sensational long ball forward over the defence. George Williams broke forward and ended up in a one on one, using a bit of trickery to beat the keeper and giving the Whites the lead.

    It took a matter of minutes for Blackburn to get back into the game. Their winger sweeping a ball into the box, Mansell was on hand and struck his effort past Norman from close range. Blackburn went ahead for the first time in the 68th minute. An attacker in a White and Blue shirt had shot from long range, his deflected off a Fulham defender. Norman chased it but couldn’t keep the ball in play. The resulting corner was whipped in and a scrambled ensued, and Grayson got a final poke with his foot into the back of the net to double their lead.

    Blackburn's third goal came eight minutes after the second to put daylight between themsleves and Fulham. Connor Thomson crossed hard and low from the right into the box and Tomlinson slotted it into the back of the net. Fulham tried hard to get back into the match, with chances falling to Kait. He had two efforts, one saved by Andrew Fisher, and Kait had a second effort in quick succession blocked with some last ditch defending. The pressure from Fulham mounted, substitute Jayden Harris got a shot away and the keeper made a good save, but the ball richocheted into the path of George Williams who knocked it past him deep into stoppage time.

    Williams grabbed the ball and ran back to the centre circle but soon after play resumed the whistle blew for the end of the match
    ."
     
    #75
  16. Cravingawin

    Cravingawin Well-Known Member

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    Still such a young side. They've done well this season.
     
    #76
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  17. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    The lads only need a point against Wolves tomorrow night to qualify for the play offs. The match is at The Cottage kick off 7pm.

    Go support if you can.


    [Free for ST holders, £3 for adults and only a £1 for youngsters and golden oldies.]
     
    #77
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  18. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Fulham 1 Wolves 4 (PL2)

    Thanks to results elsewhere the lads have still made the semi-final play offs for promotion despite this result. They're in the mix with Wolves, Newcastle and West Ham - Swansea already having taken the automatic spot.

    The team was:

    Norman, Felix, Davies, Mundle-Smith, Edun. O'Riley (Nabay 81'), Kait, de la Torre, Thoernstein, Williams, Adebayo (D. Martin 91')

    Unused subs: T. Ashby-Hammond, Harris and Elstone


    Thought tonight's result slightly flattered Wolves. It was a pretty even game, certainly up until the last quarter. Believe this was a debut U23 game for Joe Felix and Jaydn Mundle-Smith who both played really well. Indeed we defended well throughout which again belies that scoreline - bearing in mind as well the only real save Magnus Norman had to make was from a penalty (unfortunately for him the Wolves guy scored on the rebound).


    You could see the lads trying to play football in the manner of the first team and at times it was good stuff; not least the slide rule passes from Matt O'Riley with that sweet left foot of his. Have to say however a few of the more 'seasoned' players weren't at their best. Probably unfairly but I'm going to pick on the front two in particular. Wee Georgie Williams got his inevitable goal and had one disallowed for offside early on (Tayo Edun's shot might have gone in anyway if he'd left it alone) but the ball control from both him and Elijah Adebayo left a lot to be desired. Was surprised that Williams stuck so central for virtually the whole game where he was out muscled and where Adebayo made no physical impact at all - equally surprising for such a big lad.

    All of that said, you can see why Wolves are 2nd in the table; they were strong, pacy on the wide and closed our guys down so quickly in the middle.


    Enough of the negatives. It's the season that counts and the boys are in the Play Offs. Over to you First Team!
     
    #78
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2017
  19. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Newcastle 2 Fulham 0 (PL2 semi-final play off)

    No promotion for the U23s either then after losing this one-off game at St James' Park. Maybe not too surpring given that the Geordies had beaten us quite comfortably up there just last month. And not even Marek Rodak and Stevie Humphrys going straight into the team on return from their loans after the weekend could turn the tide. What an experience for the young lads though, playing in a knock out game at an iconic stadium.

    The team was:

    Rodak, Sheckleford, Davies, Jenz (Opoku 51'), Edun; Kwietniewski (O'Riley 75'), Kait; de la Torre, Williams, Humphrys; Adebayo

    Unused subs: Norman, D. Martin, Harris


    "Newcastle kicked off and the match started at an electric pace. In the first two minutes Williams had a shot on target before Newcastle broke down to the Whites’ end and Marek Rodak was called into action with Haris Vuckic shooting straight at him. The next attack was Newcastle again, with pressure building from the Magpies and Tom Heardman curled an effort over. Early dominance from Newcastle was enough and in the 6th minute Holmes escaped his marker inside the box, Rodak came off his line to close him down but wasn’t able to and Newcastle broke the deadlock.

    10 minutes in and the Whites had found their feet in the match. Luca de la Torre hit the side netting before Humphrys had a shot deflected wide. From the resulting corner Mikolaj Kwietniewski crossed a perfectly weighted ball to the back post and Aaron Davies headed on target, and would have scored if not for some great goalkeeping from Matz Sels. Newcastle almost doubled their tally five minutes later, Dan Barlaser got a shot away and Rodak managed to get a nick on the ball with an outstretched leg that redirected his shot onto the post and ricocheted out of danger.

    Humphrys wanted to get on the score sheet and took an ambitious free kick from over 35 yards out. The ball dipped nicely and Sels had to make a diving save, he could only push the ball back into the action. Williams was next with a chance, a high ball was crossed in and the Welshman got his head to it, but under pressure he sent it over the bar. It was in the 35th minute that Newcastle doubled their lead. A corner was whipped into the Whites’ box and running at pace Findlay got a glancing header on the ball sending it into the top corner, there was nothing Rodak could do. Fulham went on the attack and Newcastle sat back for the final ten minutes of the first half. A golden opportunity fell to George Williams, a corner was crossed in quickly and unexpectedly landed at his feet. He couldn’t get a shot away and the defenders were on him quickly.

    The Whites started the second as they finished the first, and it was them that had the first real opportunity since the restart. Elijah Adebayo powerfully headed on target and a fingertip save was needed by Sels to push this effort over the bar. Williams was next to go close, he ran onto a deflected cross from Tayo Edun, a clever little dink put the ball on target but a defender got back just in time and cleared it off the line. Newcastle countered and Rodak made an excellent save from close range to keep the deficit at two.

    Adebayo had another chance with Edun whipping a ball into the box but couldn’t keep it on target. The Whites were putting real pressure on the Newcastle defence in the second half, and somehow were not able to find the back of the net. With 20 minutes remaining it looked like the Whites luck might finally turn in the match. Edun played a high ball forward and it slipped past the Newcastle defender to leave Williams in a one on one. Sels rushed out and made a superb save, preserving Newcastle’s clean sheet. Chance after chance presented but Fulham could not break the resilient Newcastle defence. With so many men forward in the final quarter of an hour Fulham looked likely to score, and Newcastle just as likely to nick a goal on the counter."
     
    #79

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