Another great performance from a very talented team,on such a fine day. It would be unfair to pick out any one person for M O T M, but a mention to our hat trick hero MD, the Tank, & Handyman,our pocket sized skillfull midfielder and a pair of safe goalkeeping hands in Max Oberschmitt.To all the 12 who played, well done, and the coach, who is doing such a great job with our acadamy.
Fulham 3 Reading 1 (U18s) Here are video highlights of the goals. Moussa D's second is well worth a watch. [video=youtube;ZDgjikFap0w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZDgjikFap0w[/video]
Was the Reading penalty for our player picking up the ball? Because I didn't see a foul. Most confusing! I love the fact these videos are going to Youtube. It's great to see our kids in action and will really help build a link between our fanbase and our youth players that would be hard otherwise for any fan working outside London.
I have contcted the club sugesting that selected acadamy matches could be played at the Cottage in the evening. not only would it show appreciation for their hard work,but would give the fans a chance, at little cost to watch, maybee some of our future stars This has been done before, and on one occasion drew a crowd of about 1,000, say a Friday night when there is no Saturday home game.
There's little foresight, rosc. They payed the U18 game against Reading on Tuesday at pretty much the same time as Kara and Sascha were signing stuff at the Club Shop. Given it was half term, which was presumably why the Shop thing was on, but one of the few U18 mid-week games you would have thought they would schedule them on different days. And the game on Saturday at Motspur Park - against Chelsea of all people - clashes, as I mentioned earlier, with the first team's kick off time !!
Fulham 5 Chelsea 0 (U18s) What a result! No details yet although I understand Pat Roberts was MOTM. Goal scorers were Muamer Tankovic (2), George Williams, goal-a game man Mousa Dembele and Pat Roberts.
Disappointing report by the Club (again) and no team line-up (again) - "Goals from Muamer Tankovic (2), George Williams, Moussa Dembele and Pat Roberts secured an emphatic win for the Under-18s over local rivals Chelsea at Motspur Park on Saturday. Stephen Arthurworrey had already hit the post with a header when Tankovic opened the scoring, bundling home after Robertsâ effort had hit the bar. And Tankovic and Fulham doubled the advantage shortly after in similar circumstances. The Swede, this time, slotted home after Dembele had seen an effort come back off the post. Roberts was involved again as he set up Williams for a tap-in in the second half, before Dembele made it four from close range after another slick team move. With the final whistle approaching, Roberts got the goal his performance deserved as the Under-18s maintained their 100 per cent record in the Elite Group." I think the team was: Oberschmidt, Donnelly, Richards, Arthurworrey, OâReilly, Sambou, Roberts, Hyndman, Dembele, Tankovic, Williams.
Here is a more detailed report and all the better coming from Chelsea Youth blog: YOUTH REPORT: FULHAM 5 CHELSEA 0 Posted on: Sat 23 Feb 2013 The youth team suffered defeat at a snowy Motspur Park on Saturday morning⦠A double from Muamer Tankovic and goals from George Williams, Moussa Dembele and Patrick Roberts inflicted on Adi Viveash's side only their second league defeat of the season, their first having come on the same ground back in December. There were a full 11 changes from the Under-19 side that were victorious in the NextGen Series last 16 in Barcelona in midweek. Chike Kandi returned up front with Reece Mitchell and Tom Howard either side of him, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek skippered the team from midfield alongside Jesse Starkey and Isak Ssewankambo. League ever-present Kevin Wright (pictured) continued at left back, with Dion Conroy, Jonathan Muleba and Fankaty Dabo making up the rest of the back four, while Ben Killip was the man between the sticks for the visitors. The opening exchanges were fairly even with Loftus-Cheek forcing an early save from Fulham keeper Max Oberschmidt while, at the other end, Williams had a good opportunity that was eventually thwarted by the covering defenders. Oberschmidt was called into action again to deny Starkey's dangerous dipping effort from 20 yards with a good strong hand down low to his left, before Stephen Arthurworrey hit the post with a header from an inswinging free kick. Starkey then hit a free kick of his own straight at the goalkeeper before probably the visitors' best move of the game. Loftus-Cheek threaded a delicious ball through to Howard, who cut inside on the edge of the box before finding the overlapping Wright with a clever back heel, though the full-back's effort was saved well at the near post. Killip had to be quick off his line to deny the dangerous Williams after a jinking run from the winger before the hosts broke the deadlock just after the half hour mark. Roberts crashed an effort against the bar from outside the area and Tankovic was on hand to bundle home the rebound from underneath the bar. The young Blues had barely time to regroup before the deficit had been doubled, however. Dembele hit the post as the hosts went for the kill, before a loose ball out from Killip was pounced on by Tankovic, who confidently finished past the keeper from 10 yards for his second of the morning. It was a quick-fire double that knocked the stuffing out of the visitors, who had admittedly struggled to get their game going, and the task of clawing it back against the defending U18 champions was quickly becoming an uphill battle. The second period continued in much the same fashion as the first had played out, with Fulham in control and the visitors struggling to achieve their usual rhythm and fluidity in possession. Kandi got in down the right-hand channel early after the restart but his cutback was well snuffed out, while Tankovic saw a bending effort from distance fly over the bar as he sought a hat-trick. However it wasn't long before the game was finally put to bed and it was the impressive Roberts who conjured up a magical assist after a beguiling run down the right. He beat a couple of defenders before laying it off for Williams to tap in from close range. Viveash attempted to shake things up with a double change not long after, with George Cole and Ambrose Gnahore replacing Starkey and Kandi, and it wasn't long before Cole was lining up a sighter at Oberschmidt's goal, though his execution was missing as it flew high and wide. Dembele had a free header at the back post fly over Killip's bar just after, with Fulham continuing to threaten as the game became more and more open. It wasn't long before the striker did get himself on the scoresheet, though, finishing off another tidy Fulham attack from close range to bag himself a deserved goal. Wright had a right-footed effort fly wide, Conroy headed over and Ssewankambo was marshalled well before seeing his blocked effort go behind for a corner as the minutes ticked towards full time, though it was Fulham on the break who added a fifth late on, with Roberts getting in on the act by confidently finishing off another good Fulham move. For Chelsea it was certainly a day to forget at the end of a busy February and a result that leaves them with a win, two draws and a defeat in their opening four games of this Elite Round group. Chelsea: Killip, Dabo, Conroy, Muleba, Wright, Ssewankambo, Loftus-Cheek (c), Starkey (Cole 54), Howard (Solanke 68), Mitchell, Kandi (Gnahore 54) Fulham: Oberschmidt, Donnelly, Richards, Arthurworrey, O'Reilly, Sambou, Roberts, Hyndman, Dembele, Tankovic, Williams.
Unfortunatly, i could not make this game but a friend of mine whose son was in the chelsea team gave me his report Saturday evening,very much along the lines of the Chelsea,report. He said that the Fulham side was well organised as a unit,and thought that the Tank was a great prospect, along with MD,Roberts, Obersmitt, & Handyman. Lets hope for the remainder of the season they can keep the ball rolling.
Aston Villa 0 Fulham 2 (U21s) A terrific win for the U21s away to an Aston Villa side who had won their last three games (including beating Ajax away from home in the NextGen series). The team was - Etheridge, Passley, Kavanagh, Minkwitz, Briggs, Grimmer, Islamovic, Smith, Woodrow, Christensen, Altman Subs: Joronen, Tankovic, Sambou, Arthurworrey (interesting inclusion of U18s, and JJ turning down the Cambridge bench for the Fulham one!) A brief resume: The opening goal came from Omri Altman who beat his man on the edge of the box before scoring with a low drive after 10 minutes. So it was 1-0 to Fulham at half time. Ten minutes into the second half Muamer Tankovic came on for goal scorer Altman and almost immediately hammered a shot onto the bar. And in the last minute, Cauley Woodrow was on hand at the back post to tap home the Tank's low cross-shot. Well done the lads. Roll on Chelsea on Friday at the Cottage.
Here are video highlights of the goals and another chance to get a glimpse of 'starlet' Pat Roberts - good to see he can use both feet! [video=youtube;igAR94fp_oo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=igAR94fp_oo[/video]
Here is a report from the Club - Kit Symonsâ Under 21s overcame in-form Aston Villa with a resolute performance bookended with goals from Omri Altman and Cauley Woodrow. The Young Whites travelled to Hinckley Unitedâs De Montford Park to face a Villa team who had secured back-to-back victories in the second stage of the Barclays Under 21 Premier League. With two draws and two defeats from their first four matches, Symonsâ Team were determined to get off the mark with a victory and they made the best possible start. Nine minutes were on the clock when Israeli striker Altmanâs smart footwork in the Villainsâ penalty box created space for himself to fire past home goalkeeper Bradley Watkins. In a closely-contested first half, Altman had the opportunity to double his tally on the quarter hour but this time Watkins was equal to his half volley, as the Whites consolidated their lead heading into half-time. The home teamâs first real sight at goal arrived on the hour mark when Andras Steiber dragged his strike across the face of First Team back-up keeper Neil Etheridgeâs goal. Whites substitute Muamar Tankovic soon made his presence felt with a shot which cannoned back off Aston Villaâs crossbar and, sensing that time was running out, Villa were forced to open up and push forward in search of a leveller. A well-organised Whites rearguard ensured the opportunity for an equaliser never arrived and our forward line eventually seized their chance to double the lead in the closing moments. Tankovic burst forward and put the ball on a plate for Woodrow to notch a poacherâs strike from close range, leaving Symons delighted to seal a hard-fought victory, albeit late on. âWe could have had the victory wrapped up a bit sooner but I was really pleased with the overall performance,â Symons told fulhamfc.com âIt was a strong start and a well-taken goal by Omri. We played a lot narrower than usual, without any natural width in the team, but we had a few words at half-time. âThe second half was much better and [Villa Under 21s Manager] Gordon Cowans came over to me and said it was a well deserved victory, which means a lot coming from somebody like him. âNeil Etheridge hardly had a shot to save all game but 1-0 is always a dangerous scoreline. My only gripe is that we should have put it to bed a bit sooner but Iâm pleased we managed to get that second goal and see it out.â Fulham: Etheridge; Passley, Kavanagh, Grimmer, Briggs; Islamovic, Minkwitz, Smith, Christensen; Altman, Woodrow. Subs: Joronen, Tankovic, Sambou, Arthurworrey.
Here are the video highlights. The second is a really good 'team goal'. [video=youtube;UJALebC-2Vc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UJALebC-2Vc[/video]
Unfortunatly could not make this game. appears that the lads are on fire, Cottager who would you have piced out for special mention
Here are video highlights of the goals (including sound effects!) [video=youtube;t6vymjdpRQ8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6vymjdpRQ8&feature=player_embedded[/video]
Bolton 1 Fulham 4 (18s) The all conquering youngsters kept their 100% record (6 wins out of 6 and an impressive 22 goals). MOTM Pat Roberts scored one and had two assists. The other scorers were Muamer Tankovic, Solomon Sambou and Jordan Evans.
Here is the Club report - "Steve Wigleyâs side made it six victories from six as they maintained their place at the top of the Barclays Premier League Under-18 Elite Group. In spite of the cold and windy conditions, Fulham made a bright start with Solomon Sambou (pictured) drilling in the opener after just 10 minutes following some clever approach play. Moussa Dembele and Muamer Tankovic both went close to extending the lead, with Patrick Roberts and Jordan Evans causing the home side problems out on the flanks. Fulham were rewarded with a second on 30 minutes, with Tankovic and Roberts combining smartly, before the latter was felled in the Bolton box. Tankovic stepped up and converted the penalty with customary composure. The Whites started the second half strongly, and had a third 10 minutes in when Roberts met an inviting pass from Tankovic before firing a fine low shot across the Bolton goalkeeper. The Trotters did pull one back, but Fulhamâs three-goal difference was restored when Evans smashed in from close range after meeting Liam Donnellyâs pin-point cross on 80 minutes. âIt was a comfortable performance from the boys,â said Academy Director Huw Jennings to fulhamfc.com. âThey played in some difficult conditions, so it was good to see them produce such a positive showing. In fact, for a 20-minute spell in the second half, we played as good football as I have ever seen at Under-18 level. âBoltonâs staff were very complimentary too, so that was nice to hear. However, we got a little sloppy at one point, so the boys will need to look at that. But, all in all it was very good performance. âSix straight wins is obviously very pleasing too, and the team is doing very well at the moment. We also had three Under-16 players out there today, which was good to see. The Under-21s have won their last two games as well, and with a few of our Under-18 boys included, itâs good time right now. It certainly bodes well for the future.â Fulham Under-18s return to league action on Saturday when they make the trip to Reading (11am)." Fulham Under-18s: Oberschmidt; Donnelly, OâReilly, Burgess, Richards (Smile 75); Roberts (Leacock-Mcleod 80), Sambou, Hyndman, Evans; Tankovic; Dembele (Williams 70)
I see Tankovic mentioned a lot in these reports - and obviously scoring quite often as well. You guys that watch the kids - is he a real prospect? Would he be able to make the step up? Is he ready for it now (as Rooney was when he was a similar age) - be interested to know what you think.
