By way of confirming how young most of our lads are. Ryan Sessegnon came on just before half time for England U16s last night and scored their third goal 19 minutes from the end in a 3-3 draw with the USA at St George’s Park last night. Danny Loader of Reading got the other two for England. The full squad was - England: 13 Adam Pryzbek (West Bromwich Albion), 2 Marc Guehi (Chelsea), 7 Theo Hudson (Leeds United), 8 Angel Gomes (C) (Manchester United), 10 Danny Loader (Reading), 11 Alex Cochrane (Brighton & Hove Albion), 12 Marcel Lavinier (Chelsea), 14 Callum Hudson Odoi (Chelsea), 15 Adao Manuel (Manchester City), 17 Johnathan Panzo (Chelsea), 18 Ethan Ampadu (Exeter City). Subs: 3 Sessegnon (Fulham) for Panzo 41. 4 George McEachran (Chelsea) on for Ampadu 60. 5 Kane Wilson (West Bromwich Albion) for Guehi 60. 6 Zech Medley (Chelsea) for Manuel 55. 9 Austin Samuels (Wolverhampton Wanderers) for Loader 60. 20 Ian Carlo Poveda (Brentford) for Gomes 60.
Matt O'Riley had to withdraw for the team 4 days before as he wasn't quite back from injury..back in training now and also get call up for Denmark 16's too!!
Fulham 2 Swansea 1 (U18s) The team was : Soutter, Fossey, Adebayo, Davies, Edun (Opoku 75), Nabay, Paton (Harris 81), Sessegnon, Adeniran, Humphrys, Walker (Shamsi 46). "Fulham started brightly and almost took the lead in the 21st minute Stephen Humphrys saw his header come back off the post. Six minuter later, though, the Whites were in front, Stevie Humphrys slotting home after good work by Josh Walker. And the Whites doubled their advantage two minutes later. Dennis Adeniran burst forward from midfield and teed up Josh Walker for a fine finish into the far corner. The visitors reduced the arrears in the 41st minute. A needless foul by Harrison Paton gave the visitors a free-kick. Fulham switched off at the set-play, leading to a shot and a fumble by Jake Soutter, with a Swansea player on hand to tap home the rebound. Fulham issued a quick response as a driving run by Ryan Sessegnon saw him feed Walker but the striker blasted over. In a quiet second half, the only noteworthy action came just after the hour mark. Great interplay between Sessegnon and Humphrys freed substitute Ravin Shamsi but his shot was well saved by the Swansea keeper. Humphrys scuffed an effort wide soon after and the Whites saw the game out to secure victory.”
Tottenham 0 Fulham 3 (U18s) What a terrific win. The team was: Ashbby-Hammond; Fossey, Adebayo, Opoku, Sessegnon; Adeniran, Nabay; Humphrys, Thorsteinsson, Shamsi; Walker ”The Whites took the lead with less than quarter of an hour played when Dennis Adeniran won possession after good pressing on the halfway line and played in Josh Walker, who provided a classy finish against his former club. It could have been two not long after the restart when Fulham were awarded a penalty after Adeniran was brought down after bursting between two defenders, but Walker saw his spot-kick hit the base of the post. Spurs were offering a threat going forward and so the next goal was always going to be crucial. Thankfully, Steve Wigley’s boys grabbed it on 72 minutes when Ryan Sessegnon made a tackle and embarked on a 50 yard run before crossing for Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson who headed in to cap his debut with a goal. That knocked the stuffing out of Spurs and the game was over shortly after as Thorsteinsson’s cross was flicked on by Walker to Stevie Humphrys who converted at the far post to wrap up a superb victory for the Whites.”
Tottenham 0 Fulham 3 (U18s) Video highlights - can't make up my mind whether I like the second or third goal better.
Southampton 2 Fulham 1 (U18s) A game of missed chances, so a bit disappointing and Southampton's first win of the season. The team was: Ashby-Hammond; Fossey, Adebayo, Davies, Sessegnon; Adeniran, Nabay; Thorsteinsson, Thomas, Kwietniewski; Humphrys Unused subs: Lukwata, Opoku, Shamsi, Dolan ” The Whites went ahead with the first decent opening of the game, when midfielder Dennis Adeniran connected with Stephen Humphrys' header across goal following a free-kick. The lead was almost doubled immediately, but Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson’s lob was cleared off the line after beating goalkeeper Harry Lewis. Lewis then denied Cassian Thomas and Aron Davies, with the latter stop resulting in the ball falling to Humphrys inside the penalty area, but his shot smashed against the crossbar. Thorsteinsson then suffered a sense of déjà vu as he headed beyond Lewis, only to see the ball cleared off the line once again. The one-way traffic continued and Fulham missed another chance to go two up on the half hour mark when Mikolaj Kwietniewski intercepted a loose ball aimed for Lewis before rounding the Saints goalkeeper, but Humphrys was unable to connect with his square pass. Humphrys then went close from a Marlon Fossey cross, and another Fossey delivery almost set up Thorsteinsson at the far post as Steve Wigley’s boys finished the half strongly. But the Whites were made to rue their missed chances when their hosts drew level three minutes after the restart, as Kayembe fired in a low shot after being sent through by a long diagonal ball. Fulham looked for an immediate response and almost restored the lead when Humphrys rounded Lewis only to see his effort blocked, before Thorsteinsson got himself into a shooting position following good work by Fossey, but Lewis was equal to his strike. Elijah Adebayo and Fossey then went close, while Ryan Sessegnon had a shot cleared off the line as Fulham continued to turn the screw. Lewis then kept Humphrys out again, before Saints went up the other end to take the lead when Olomola smashed one into the corner from 25 yards. The Whites continued to search for the goal that would see them get at least something from the game, and it almost arrived when Fossey headed into the side-netting from Thorsteinsson’s fine ball. The final chance saw Humphrys have a header blocked, as the Whites somehow left the South Coast empty handed.”
Fulham 2 Arsenal 1 (U18s) Only brief details so far, as the youngsters continue their good run of wins. The team was: Ashby-Hammond; Fossey, Sessegnon, Jenz, Davies; Nabay, Thoreinsson, Adeniran, Adebayo; Kwiatkowski, Humphrys Subs: Dolan, Soutter, Thomas, Opoku, Paton Scorers: Dennis Adeniran. Well worked free kick - Fossey free kick finds Humphrys head, he puts it back across and Adeniran heads home. and Stevie Humphrys. A great move - Adeniran quick free kick to Nabay who switches it to Thorsteinsson on to Fossey who squares to Humphrys who slots it into the net. Arsenal’s goal came from a late penalty.
Nothing at all from the Club- don't understand why not. However here is a brief report from the Arsenal camp. "The Cottagers missed a first half penalty but Dennis Adeniran gave them the lead just before half-time. Stephen Humphrys - who had missed the earlier penalty - made amends by scoring the hosts' second. Marcus Agyei-Tabi scored a late penalty to set up a tense finish but the Gunners couldn’t find an equaliser. Nketiah had the game’s first chance when he whipped a shot that brushed the side of the post from outside of the box. Tolaji Bola brought down Jon Dagur Thorstensson as he raced towards goal . Humphreys stepped up for the penalty but Ryan Huddart was on hand to make a fantastic save. Charlie Gilmour later crashed the ball against the bar from 20 yards out, leaving Taye Ashby-Hammond rooted to the spot. Adeniran put Fulham ahead in the 38th minute with a powerful header crafted from a long-range free-kick. Humphrys doubled the Cottagers’ lead early in the second half when he found the bottom corner following Marlon Fossey’s cut back and some good build-up play. Nathan Tella won his side a penalty despite protests the foul occurred outside of the box. Marcus Agyei-Tabi made no mistake from the spot but Arsenal were unable to find an equaliser."
Norwich 1 Fulham 0 (U18s) The team was: Ashby-Hammond, Fossey, Jenz, Davies, Nabay, Thorsteinsen, Dolan, Adebayo, Kwietniewski and Humphrys Subs: Thomas, Lukwata, Opoku, Paton and Shamsi Yet again no details from the Club
Fulham 0 Aston Villa 1 (U18s) The team was: Norman; Fossey, Jenz, Davies, Sessegnon; Nabay, Kait; Humphrys (Paton 75'), Kwietniewski (Thomas 46'), Thorsteinsson; Walker Unused subs: Lukwata, Adebayo, Opoku "The Whites started strongly, with Foday Nabay going close early on, but the first half was largely uneventful as the two teams went in level. The visitors then took the lead not long after the restart with a long range shot that flew into the corner. Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson – one of Fulham’s better performers – had a chance to level soon after, having worked his way into the box, but he shot tamely at Villa goalkeeper Matija Sarkic. That proved to be the best chance to take something from the game, as the Midlands side happily ran down the clock in the closing stages."
Reading 2 Fulham 1 (U18s) A last minute goal does for the youngsters. The team was: Ashby-Hammond (Lukwata 44'); Fossey, Adebayo, Thomas, Sessegnon; Adeniran, Jens; Shamsi (Paton 71'), Nabay, Humphrys; Walker (Opoku 74') Unused subs: Dolan, Kwietniewski ”In perfect conditions at the Royals’ Hogwood ground, Fulham started brightly, dominating possession. However, the Whites were guilty of being slightly careless with the ball on the edge of the Reading box. But it was Reading who should have gone in front in the 18th minute. A long ball out of defence by Reading saw a mix-up between Taye Ashby-Hammond and Elijah Adebayo. Whites keeper Ashby-Hammond fouled a Reading player as he looked to latch on to the loose ball and a penalty was awarded. Ashby-Hammond made amends, though, when he saved the spot-kick. Fulham went straight down the other end and took the lead in the 20th minute. A break down the right by Ravin Shamsi saw him feed Marlon Fossey. He supplied a sublime cross which was met by Stevie Humphrys who flicked a headed into the bottom corner. Fulham should have doubled their advantage two minutes later. Reading only half-cleared a corner and a cross from the right evaded everyone except an unmarked Shamsi whose header went just over from the edge of the six-yard box. In the 35th minute an impressive break from central midfield by Dennis Adeniran saw him drive 25 yards and slide Josh Walker in. The striker’s shot went agonisingly wide of the far post. Ashby-Hammond was substituted on the stroke of half-time after colliding with a Reading forward and a fantastic tackle by Cassian Thomas moments later ensured the Whites went into the break ahead. Adeniran saw penalty appeals turned down on the hour mark after appearing to be clipped in the box, before sub keeper Josh Lukwata made a good save to keep Fulham in front. Reading were level in the 73rd minute. A free-kick on the edge of the box saw the ball delivered into a central area, with a Reading player rising to head home. As the game opened up, Adeniran went close for Fulham, forcing a fine save from the Reading keeper. With virtually the final kick of the game, Reading snatched the win as their right-back delivered a good cross to the far post which was slotted in.”
Fulham 2 Chelsea 2 (U18s) Oh no, a last gasp goal nicks a point for our noisy neighbours. No team details yet, but here's brief report from the Club - "The Blues opened the scoring when Harvey St Clair converted from the penalty spot after Cassian Thomas was adjudged to have brought down Jacob Maddox. Coming out for the second half with a one-goal deficit, the Whites picked up the tempo and levelled the scores through Moritz Jenz’s close-range header. And Steve Wigley’s boys turned the game in their favour when Dennis Adeniran was impeded in the area, and the England Under-17 international dusted himself down to score from the spot. Seconds from a 2-1 victory, the Whites were forced to settle for a draw when Richard Nartey’s shot nestled in the corner of the Fulham net. There was no time to kick off as the West London rivals shared the spoils."
The team was: Josh Lukwata, Marlon Fossey, Jerome Opoku, Moritz Jens, Elijah Adebayo, Cassian Thomas, Harry Paton (Josh Walker 60), Dennis Adeniran, Stephen Humphrys, Mikki Kwietniewski, Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson Unused subs: Anthony Dolan, Taye Ashby-Hammond, Foday Nabay Here is a link to a more detailed account of the game from the other lot - http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/10/under-18s-report--fulham-2-chelsea-2.html?
Brighton 2 Fulham 2 (U18s) Excellent display by the youngsters and only pipped by a late penalty. The team was: Lukwata; Fossey, Davies, Adebayo, Opoku; Adeniran, Jenz (Thomas 53'); Nabay (Dolan 73'), Paton (Thorsteinsson 55'), Sessegnon; Walker Unused sub: Soutter ”In windy conditions, Brighton started brightly, but Fulham soon began to get a foothold in the game and went in front in the 23rd minute. A free-kick to the visitors produced a well-worked set-play routine, with Moritz Jenz eventually slotting home from 12 yards for his second goal in as many games. Four minutes later Josh Walker had the ball in the net but saw his effort ruled out for offside. Walker then went clean through but a heavy touch allowed the Brighton keeper to save at his feet. Seconds later Walker was foiled by a low save in the far corner. Fulham remained on top and in the 34th minute a sublime sweeping move saw Elijah Adebayo find Marlon Fossey on the overlap. His cross was met by Walker but his effort was brilliantly saved by the Seagulls’ stopper. Despite Fulham’s dominance, Brighton were level three minutes into the second half as poor marking at the far post allowed a Seagulls player to pounce. The game then turned very scrappy. Goalscorer Jenz was replaced by Cassian Thomas, while Harry Paton made way for Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson. Fulham went back in front in the 72nd minute. Ryan Sessegnon intercepted a pass and slotted past the outrushing keeper. Five minutes later Brighton were awarded a dubious penalty for a foul by Aron Davis. Josh Lukwata came to the rescue, though, by saving the spot-kick. The hosts were awarded a second penalty in the 81st minute after a coming together in the box. This time the Seagulls made no mistake from 12 yards to make it 2-2 and snatch a point.”
West Ham 1 Fulham 0 (U21s) No! Yet again done by a last minute goal; for the 4th game on the trot. The team was: Lukwaya; Fossey, Opoku, Jenz, Davies; Sessegnon, Adeniran, De La Torre; Humphrys, Thorsteinsson, Walker "The hosts enjoyed the early possession and the Whites needed Josh Lukwata to turn a free-kick around the post on the quarter of an hour mark. While the Hammers were quite comfortable on the ball, Fulham always looked dangerous on the break and had half chances when Josh Walker shot wide with an angled drive and Luca de la Torre blazed over. Stephen Humphrys then saw his well-hit free-kick deflect wide on the stroke of half-time. The second half was a much more even affair and Harrison Paton almost broke the deadlock in the 85th minute, but the home goalkeeper did well to claw his audacious chip away. And that proved crucial as in the final minute of normal time, West Ham won possession in midfield and countered quickly before finishing the move off from close range to take maximum points."
Video of their goal - I'm sure Lawro would have said it was a wonderful 'cut back', but there again ....
And now for the good news - Fulham 6 Leicester 1 (U18s) Well done the youngsters and especially hat trick boy Josh Walker. please log in to view this image No team line-up as yet. ”Fulham started the brightest and a slick sweeping move involving Marlon Fossey, Humphrys and Sessegnon ended with the latter slotting in the far corner. However, celebrations were cut short as the assistant referee had flagged for offside. The heavens opened and the rainfall gathered momentum, but so did the attacking prowess of a confident Fulham outfit. The deadlock was broken moments later following an inch perfect diagonal ball from Dennis Adeniran. Ryan Sessegnon latched on to the cross and finished with aplomb. Moments later the lead was doubled as Josh Walker pounced on some slack defending to steal and slot home. The dominance continued and the Whites made it 3-0 just before the stroke of half-time when Matthias Thorsteinsson followed up following a quick breakout from the instrumental Walker. Following the restart Fulham, didn’t take their foot off the peddle and continued to press against a weary Leicester outfit. Adeniran went close following a driving run and a left-footed shot that flew agonisingly wide. But the home side soon made it four when Thorsteinsson chased after a lost ball. He composed himself well and pushed hard into the Leicester box, driving inside to set up Stephen Humphrys, who added a composed finish. The unrelenting bombardment continued and the fifth goal was probably the best of a stellar set. A jinking run from Luca de la Torre opened up some space. He fed Josh Walker with a perfect through ball, who then lobbed the onrushing keeper with a deft chip. Josh Walker's special day was completed as he flicked in a low cross to complete his hat-trick. Leicester grabbed a late consolation but the delight of the Fulham players was evident at the final whistle. Next up for the the Whites a tricky encounter against Tottenham Hotspur.”
