Fulham 1 Norwich 1 (U18s) The team was: Norman; Fossey, Elworthy, Adebayo, Edun; Smile, Nabay; Walker, De La Torre, Humphrys; Redford ”The home side had the better of the opening 20 minutes without being able to convert their chances, with Norwich growing into the game thereafter. But Fulham started the second half at a rapid tempo and went in front virtually from kick-off. A flowing move involving Luca De La Torre and Aaron Redford culminated in Edun being slid in and the left-back planted a confident finish across the goalkeeper for 1-0. The Canaries drew level when Fulham failed to deal with a long clearance and a visiting striker was able to steal in and equalise with a good finish. Both sides had chances to snatch the win, with Norwich hitting the post and De La Torre and Josh Walker going close for the Whites, but in the end the teams had to settle for a point apiece.”
West Brom 0 Fulham 4 (U18s) What a fantastic win. The team was: Rodak; Sheckleford, Elworthy, Adebayo, Edun; Nabay, Smile; Humphrys, De La Torre, Walker; Redford ”The Whites almost went in front as early as the second minute when Stephen Humphrys saw his effort strike a post, before putting their hosts under considerable pressure after quarter of an hour. First De La Torre forced a good save from the Baggies goalkeeper from 12 yards at the end of an excellent move, with Humphrys’ header saved from the resultant corner, before Walker forced a good block again from the goalkeeper. The breakthrough Fulham’s play deserved arrived just before half-time when Aaron Redford broke through one-on-one and was taken down in the area by the keeper who was subsequently sent off. Foday Nabay stepped up to tuck home the spot-kick. And the lead was doubled just after the restart with a near identical goal – although on this occasion the substitute goalkeeper was only booked for bringing down Redford. Josh Walker was tasked with penalty taking duties this time and made no mistake from 12 yards. The game was as good as over moments later when Josh Walker grabbed his second of the afternoon, converting at the near post from Ryheem Sheckleford’s cut-back. The forward could then have had a hat-trick but hit the post following more good work from Redford, but the fourth goal arrived soon after when Humphrys clipped in a great cross for Lucas De La Torre who headed in from eight yards. The American teenager then embarked on a positive run to set up Walker, but his poked effort went wide. De La Torre then shot straight at the goalkeeper following good play by DJ Buffonge.”
Fulham 2 Southampton 0 (U18s) Another excellent win for the lads. No team details are available from the Club. "Fulham started well and hit the woodwork early on when a sweeping move down the right culminated in Redford striking the post, before Elijah Adebayo and Stephen Humphrys went close with headers. But Aaron Redford wasn’t to be denied and put his side ahead around the half hour mark after he’d found space to get on the end of Luca De La Torre’s throughball. And the striker doubled his and Fulham’s lead just moments later when he converted from the penalty spot. The Whites were perhaps slightly guilty of taking their foot off the gas after scoring the second, but they were improved after the break and Humphrys should have netted after being found following good work from the impressive De La Torre. Southampton threatened to reduce the deficit but Magnus Norman was equal to anything they threw at him as Fulham held on to secure a second successive win."
Here is a quality video of the highlights (5 minutes) courtesy of Southampton FC. Watch Aaron's first - it's beautifully taken.
"Although replays proved inconclusive". Ha, couldn't have proved any more conclusive. I really wish Fulham would do a proper highlight service like this for our under age teams.
The team was: Norman, Sheckleford, Adebayo, Elworthy, Edun, Nabay, Smile, Humphrys, Adeniran, De La Torre and Redford Subs: Shamsi (63’ came on for Adeiran); Buffonge (74’ came on for Nabay) and Sessegnon (85’ came on for De La Torre) [Before the start Josh Walker had to pull out after tweaking a hamstring and Dennis Adeniran replaced him] Hadn’t realised that coach Kevin Keen had left to join Steve Clarke at Reading - he didn’t last long! And that Marcus’ dad, Vic Bettinelli has been in charge of the side.
Wonder if Steve Wigley will come back now that Forest have sacked Pearce and appointed Freedman? Nothing against Vic Bettinelli, who seems to be doing fine going by recent U18 results, but getting Wigley back would be high on my wish list. please log in to view this image
I like Steve Wigley too..Gavin and Vic are doing a great job and the boys played well (from what I saw today) v West Ham 3-2 Also U16's won 8-0 v the hammers.Superb first half display destroyed W Ham..
Ah ha, heard that score from a chum at the Cottage this afternoon Doriley, and wondered if you'd be there - or getting 'pumped up' for the big run tomorrow! And what a good win for the U18s as well, making it three on the trot. The Club haven't made the team available but here is their match reort: ”The home side started brightly in the game and the Whites had to weather a storm, but then they took the match by the scruff of its neck and stormed into a two goal lead thanks to strikes by Josh Walker and Aaron Redford. A sloppy start to the second half by Fulham saw the Hammers pull one back quickly through Decarrey Sheriff. The goal gave them a new sense of confidence but the visitors thought they should have had a penalty when Redford was pulled back in the area, but the referee didn’t see an infringement and let play go on. And that decision proved costly as West Ham drew level shortly after when Sherriff crashed his second into the top corner – only for Dennis Adeniran to put Fulham back in front. Stephen Humphrys embarked on a barnstorming run and crossed the ball in to Luca De La Torre who hit the post with his header, and Adeniran was on hand to tap in. Redford then felt aggrieved for the second time in the game when he appeared to take a kick to the face as he ran through on goal, but again the referee was unimpressed. It mattered little in the end, though, as the young Whites held on to make it 10 points won from their last four matches played.” Best wishes for the run, Doriley. Make sure you let us know how yo get on.
Cheers C58!! As the finely tuned athlete I am I havent had a drink for a few days and a very healthy Pizza Express Looking forward to it and will definitely update you..thanks to everyone for the spnsorship..raised £510 with a few more promises..all for a good cause! U16's were awesome today (against a not so strong W Ham)..funny thing was when the 4th went in some of the home supporters pulled out the "we've got quite a few youngsters in today"..to which one of their coaches said.."Fulham have 4 more younger ones than us so we cant use that as an excuse!!" Matt also just came back from playing in the Danish National 2000 U16 camp in Copenhagen (his Mum is Danish so he has two chances!) Scored 1 in a 3-0 victory against other squad team behind closed doors...good week all round! Will check in tomorrow!
Watched bits of the 18's as they were on pitch adjacent..3-2 flattered the hammers as the boys looked very good especially going forward..Dennis (U16) scored the last one and Aaron played very well..has had a tough couple of seasons with injuries I believe but looked very sharp today
Sad news. There will be no Dallas Cup for the U18s this year. We’ve gone in the past as winners of our League and of course, as winners of the Cup but unfortunately don’t qualify on either count this time. Everton will head out as League title holders and England’s representatives. The tournament starts on 29th March.
Fulham 1 Chelsea 2 (U18s) Really unlucky not to get something out of this game against the League leaders. New boy Aron Davies made his debut. His positional play looked good, although his distribution could have been better and he tired in the second half. Our MOTM was another newbie, Canadian Harrison Paton. Playing his first game after only just getting International clearance the young central midfielder showed strength, skill and awareness. The team was: Norma, Sheckleford, Sessignon, Elworthy Davies, Paton, Humphrys, de La Torre, Redford, Walker (Buffonge) and, Adeniran (Shamsi) Unused subs: Barnes, Fossey and Opoku We had much the better of the first half and with sharper shooting from Humphrys, Walker and Redford would have been well ahead before Aaron Redford latched on to mix up between the Chelsea goalie and his defenders and camly slotted home. Chelsea hit back soon after from a corner, headed in by their centre half Suljic (who looked very accomplished throughout the game). We still created openings and but for a wee bit more composure in front of goal and better crosses would have retaken the lead. Chelsea started the second half more determinedly and we struggled to hold the ball. It was still an even contest though and the best chances fell to Fulham. Until late on that is, when they carved through our defence and their No. 8 calmly stroked home the winner. If I had a criticism, it was not changing our shape in the second half and moving Humphrys from the left wing into a more central position - he was strong and winning the ball in the air but lacked support out wide. But all in all a good performance by all the lads and as I said they deserved better.
FYI U16's beat Chelsea 3-1 on Saturday at MP..Really good second half performance .. Goals from Matt Cam and DJ
The video highlights don’t exemplify the cold, the wet or the wind, nor do they do justice to the excellent play of both teams:
Tottenham 4 Fulham 1 (U18s) Disappointing result against the Youth Cup semi-finalists. Although the score seems to flatter Spurs, with two late goals (89th and 90th minute) clinching it. No team details are available from the Club. ” Spurs enjoyed the lions’ share of possession early on before Fulham found their feet. Both teams then had lots of good approach play, without creating any clear-cut chances. Ryheem Sheckleford brushed the bar with a cross, but Spurs took the lead in the 39th minute. The Whites lost possession in midfield and Spurs countered. The ball eventually found its way to Tottenham striker Ryan Loft who crashed a shot into the roof of the net. The hosts increased their advantage shortly after the restart. Fulham failed to close down an attack on the left, the ball was played to the edge of the box where Armani Daly fired in a low shot into the bottom-right corner. The Whites then made two changes as Marlon Fossey replaced the injured Tayo Edun and Dennis Adeniran came on for Aaron Redford. Magnus Norman made a good stop to prevent Spurs from adding a third, while Stephen Humphrys was dispossessed in the box after a good run. Adeniran then cut inside and beat several players. His left-footed shot was spilled by the keeper but Josh Walker's rebound attempt was blocked. In the 79th minute, though, Fulham did reduce the arrears as Sheckleford got in down the left and crossed for Luca De La Torre to sidefoot home. Fulham pressed in search of an equaliser. Adeniran made a great interception and fed Humphrys but his first-time effort was saved. Shamsi was then replaced by Josh Smile. Against the run of play, Spurs restored their two-goal lead with a minute left. After a soft free-kick was awarded to the home team, home midfielder Samuel Shashoua ghosted forward to score from just inside the box. And it was 4-1 in the dying seconds. Smile was dispossessed and Loft scored from the resulting counter for his second as the North London side sealed the win.”
Details of the next stage of the U18 Premier League have been announced. The two groups (North and South) from the intial phase have been divided into 3 ’sections’. We finished 9th in the South Group so go into the third of these. Along with: Southampton, Arsenal and Norwich City (who were below us) and Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City and Bolton Wanderers (who were the bottom four in the North Group). The teams play each other once, starting from this Saturday. Here’s a link to the fixture list: http://www.fulhamfc.com/under-18s/2014_2015/fixtures
Fulham 3 Southampton 0 (U18s) Great start in their first game in the new League for the young lads. The team was: Rodák, Sheckleford, Davies, Smile, Edun, Humphrys, Elworthy, Dolan (Nabay 70), Shamsi (Adeniran 68), Redford (Buffonge 81), Walker ”The home side could have gone in front in the opening 10 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Redford got in behind the Southampton defence and was chopped down by Cook. Josh Walker stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick but saw his effort saved low down to the Southampton keeper’s left. An unmarked Redford then headed Tayo Edun’s cross over from five yards, while Saints responded with a long-range effort which was saved by Marek Rodák. The Whites were in front in the 20th minute, however. A good move down the right saw Ravin Shamsi release Ryheem Sheckleford and he crossed for Aaron Redford to score with a first-time finish. It was 2-0 four minutes later. Shamsi was again instrumental as he crossed for Redford who missed from close to the goal. The ball came back off the post and the unfortunate Cook sliced his clearance into his own net. Just 60 seconds later, Rodák made an unbelievable double save to prevent Saints from pulling one back, stopping a free-kick and then getting up to claw the rebound away. And as the clock reached the 30-minute mark, Stevie Humphrys made it 3-0 to the hosts, powering home a header from a corner. Walker then forced a good save from the visiting goalkeeper after meeting a Shamsi cross with a header. The Southampton shot-stopper then denied Humphrys, with Redford failing to convert the rebound. The second half was a scrappier affair. Rodák made a decent stop with 10 minutes left, before the final whistle brought proceedings to a close.”
