http://www.fulhamfc.com/under-18s/2015_2016/league/home/southampton/southampton-u18s-goals now we see the 2nd goal build up properly!
The way to do it. Just goes to show, the simple things in football are the best - "pass and move". Great cross as well from the young man! PS Much improved camera position and video, in general, from the Club.
Amid all the other excitement, yet another Academy game has been cancelled. This time it's the U18 game against the Arsenal, which was due to be played on Saturday (12th December). Source: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20151208/under-18-fixture-v-fulham-postponed?
Here’s the old codger in me coming out. Just seen that the Bury U18s travelled down to London this morning for their FA Cup game against our lads tomorrow night (Motspur Park, kick off 7pm). Bury for goodness sake - a couple hundred miles down the M6 and along the M40. “Wasn’t like that in my day!" Blimey I can remember the early 70’s when our first team would coach it up to Preston on the morning of a 3pm kick off – and have to buy their own fish and chips on the way home.
Here's a link to the Programme for tonight's game and some interesting background stuff: http://www.fulhamfc.com/-/media/Retail/Programmes_15_16/U18s/FFC-001-Bury.pdf An hey Doriley - they've got the spelling correct at last.
Great game good result, I must say that since SW has been back there is much more cohesion within the squad I hope that as he is now working with the senior team this can be drummed into our headless defence.
Spot on rosc, although they got a tad complacent in the second half - enough even to give themselves a (slightly) nervous last twenty. Some really good talent out there and Stevie Humphrys, who was always quite big, is looking a colossus going through the middle.
Fulham 4 Bury 2 (U18s) (FA Youth Cup) For completeness, the Club report. The team was: Ashby-Hammond; Fossey, Davies, Opoku, Sessegnon; Adeniran, Kait; de la Torre, Humphrys (Nabay 70'), Thorsteinsson (Kwietniewski 87'); Walker (Adebayo 84') Unused subs: Jenz, Lukwata ” Fulham went into the game in free-scoring form with 16 goals in their last four league matches and the clash with the Shakers was to be no different. Both sides played with an attacking style which led to an open and entertaining match but it was Fulham who dominated and had their first chance in the fifth minute. Dennis Adeniran picked the ball up in his own half on the left wing and showed excellent pace to skip away from two challenges. Approaching the box, he beat two more Bury challenges but his shot across goal rolled narrowly wide. The Whites almost took the lead again four minutes later. A neat inside pass from Luca de la Torre was cut out by the Bury defence but as Josh Walker challenged the clearance the ball struck him and so nearly found the net. It took an acrobatic diving save from Michael Papastylianou in the Bury goal to keep Fulham out. There was nothing he could do about Stevie Humphrys’ free-kick, though, as the Whites got their goal in the 16th minute. The striking pair of Humphrys and Walker has proved clinical this term, with them each notching eight goals for the Under-18s so far this season as well as strikes for the Under-21s. It was the former who grabbed Fulham’s first this evening. The striker, who joined Fulham from Bury two years ago, delightfully curled a 25-yard free-kick over the wall and left the keeper motionless as the ball nestled into the top corner. The lead was doubled in the 24th minute. Dennis Adeniran, who had been working hard to join the attack from midfield throughout the first half, chased down a short back-pass into the Bury box. His hunger was rewarded as Papastylianou’s clearance struck the number eight and ricocheted straight into the goal. In truth Fulham were simply too good for their opponents in the opening 45 minutes and that was demonstrated shortly after the half-hour mark when there was almost a third. Humphrys collected the ball on the halfway line and his power was too much for Liam Williams as he strode past him and ran at the defence. It was three versus two and he fed Walker on the left but his shot was well saved. The persistent pressure led to the visitors making sloppy mistakes, which allowed Fulham their third in the 35th minute. Bury gave the ball away at the back which allowed Luca De la Torre space on the right. The American, one of nine Fulham starters who have also featured for the Under-21s this season, stroked the ball across goal and into the bottom corner. The Shakers had little to shout about in the first half but almost clawed a goal back shortly into the second. George Miller, who scored a hat-trick in the last round, had a free header at the back post but could only send it wide. Stevie Humphrys had his second of the night in the 54th minute. A powerful run saw him pass two Bury defenders before a cool chip past the goalkeeper which all but clinched the game for Steve Wigley’s side. The visitors replied immediately though with a goal very similar to Adeniran’s in the first half. A short pass back to Taye Ashby-Hammond was chased down by Miller and the deflection flew straight into the back of the net. The Whites did well to weather a Shakers storm after the goal, with Williams, Miller and Sam Gibson going close - but in the 67th minute the away side got their second. A corner was only cleared to the edge of the box and played back in to find Miller in space just six yards out. The striker thumped the ball in for his second of the match. Bury fought their way back into the game well and showed why they currently sit top of the North West Youth Alliance Premier Division. Fulham will be pleased they managed to capitalise on their sloppy first half as the visitors’ spirited display in the second period was always valiant yet always an uphill struggle. Khalid Mohamed almost found a third from a free-kick shortly before the end but the Whites defended resolutely to hold on to their lead.” The lads will host either Reading or Sheffield United in the next round.
Fulham 2 Norwich 0 (U18s) Not sure who started, but the squad was: Norman, Fossey, Sessegnon, Adebayo, Lenz, Thomas, Nabay, de la Torre, Walker, Kwietniewski, Thorsteinsson, Davies, Lukwata, Pearce and Humphrys From what I understand, although the team played really well it was a tad tighter than this scant report from the Club suggests - “The Whites started brightly and fashioned chances through de la Torre, Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson and Mikolaj Kwietniewski, before the latter went close to breaking the deadlock when his goalbound shot deflected wide. They didn’t have to wait long for the breakthrough, though, as Luca de la Torre stepped up to convert after he’d been brought down in the box following a good run and dribble. Thorsteinsson tested the Canaries goalkeeper in one of the only efforts on goal after the restart, before Isaac Pearce – who had replaced Josh Walker – lashed home at the end of a free-kick routine to double the lead. The striker had another chance late on but he was denied by a fine save from the Norwich stopper in what was one of the last actions of the game.” Guess you’d take the Official account as being correct. However I was led to believe that Harry Paton got our second or maybe that was just wishful thinking for my favourite little player (favourite along with Matt O’Riley, obviously!)
Video of the goals - and how is that for persistence by Luca de la Torre ahead of his own penalty for the first:
Reading beat Sheffield United 3-1 after extra-time and the tie against them is at Motspur Park on Monday 18th January, kick off 7pm. [We were due to play Reading in the league two days earlier, but that fixture has now been rearranged for Saturday 13th February.]
Fulham 1 Reading 3 (U18s) (FA Youth Cup) Two late goals sink the lads after our goalie is sent off. And a penalty miss by both sides. Disappointing but Reading were the better team in the second half and took full advantage of the extra man in the last quarter of an hour. The team was: Ashby-Hammond, Fossey, Opoku, Davies, Sessegnon, Kait, Adeniran, De la Torre, Thorsteinsson, Humphrys, Walker Subs: Lukwata, Pearce, Kwietniewski, Nabay, Jenz "In the very first attack of the game, Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson cut in from the left and played a neat one-two with Luca de la Torre on the edge of the box. The Icelandic winger gleefully curled his first-time effort into the top corner, giving Luke Southwood in the Reading goal no chance. Fulham could have made it two in the eighth minute. Dennis Adeniran made a powerful run into the box and was hauled down as he approached goal. The England Under-17 international took the penalty himself but saw Southwood produce a solid save, diving low to his right. Fulham’s games always produce goals – the last six alone have seen 31 – and it was a very open start to this cup tie. Sam Smith went close with a diving header for the hosts and Josh Walker had a half-chance moments later. Stephen Humphrys, the two-goal hero in the last round and Fulham’s top scorer this term, went close in the 16th minute as he often looked to drop deeper and find space. He worked a shooting opportunity from 25 yards but his low effort flew narrowly wide of the post. Adeniran was rewarded for his hard work in the last round as he chased down the goalkeeper to score and he almost did the same tonight. Surging forward from centre midfield once more, he won the ball from the Royals’ stopper but it deflected just wide. The visitors had a free-kick in a dangerous position in the 36th minute. Captain Josh Barrett, who has made the bench for Reading’s senior side this season, looked to power one through but the wall stood firm and the danger was cleared. That set off a succession of chances at both ends in a frantic couple of minutes. First, Humprhys powered into the box on the break but had his shot well blocked, before Barrett again went close. A teasing cross from Reading’s right raced across goal but Barrett’s outstretched effort was blocked by an excellent last-ditch tackle. Walker then went close three times in a matter of moments. Initially he looked to take it past the onrushing Royals goalkeeper but was blocked. Next he had his swivelling effort from 18 yards tipped round the corner before later smashing the side-netting from a cross. Both sides were in good form going into the game, with Fulham on a run of six consecutive wins andthe visitors having only lost one in their last eight. Reading were almost level three minutes after the restart. Omar Richards whipped an excellent ball in from the left but Smith missed the target with his header. Thorsteinsson almost had his second a minute after as he dispossessed Dan Akinwumni but saw his shot well saved. Reading were more dangerous in the second half and went close again just before the hour. Tyler Frost fizzed a vicious cross across goal but Smith failed to control inside the six-yard box. With 15 minutes left, the visitors grabbed their equaliser after sustained pressure on the Fulham goal. A quick run down the right found Akinwumni in space in the area and he picked out Frost who produced a neat volley as he advanced into the box. Reading had a golden chance to take the lead just two minutes later. Goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond was chased down and lost the ball before committing a foul and seeing red. Barrett stepped up to take the resulting penalty but blazed it wide and the scores remained level. In the 83rd minute though, Reading had their goal. Fulham were unlucky as a Ryan East shot took a deflection on its way through a crowded box and left replacement goalkeeper Joshua Lukwata helpless. Fulham pushed hard for a leveller but were caught on the break in the 90th minute to put the game out of reach. The visitors had the Whites outnumbered three to one as they attacked the box and a ball from the left found Smith who tucked home.”
Video highlights - you don't get to see the naughty bits (and subsequent missed penalties) but worth a look for the wonderfully well worked and the shot for our goal.
Aston Villa 1 Fulham 3 (U18s) Great spirit from the lads after that Cup defeat, to go out and win this one in style. The team was: Ashby-Hammond; Fossey, Opoku, Nabay (Thomas 83'), Sessegnon; Paton (Dolan 67'), Jenz; Harris, Adebayo (Walker 67'), Thorsteinsson; Kwietniewski “Fulham started brightly at Bodymoor Heath and the Villa keeper made a good save to deny Elijah Adebayo as well as producing two good stops from the Villa keeper. The hosts then went close with a drive that flashed just wide, before Adebayo had an effort blocked and Kwietniewski had a third shot saved. In the 26th minute, Fulham lost possession in midfield and Villa broke but a host player screwed a shot wide when well placed to score. Taye Ashby-Hammond then made a good save with his legs in the 40th minute but it was the Whites who went into the interval in the lead. A corner saw the Villa keeper spill a cross and Moritz Jenz poked home from six yards. It was an end-to-end start to the second half and the Villa keeper made three excellent saves with his feet, before Ashby-Hammond reciprocated with two of his own. But it was Fulham who grabbed the second goal of the game on the hour mark. A great move involving Jayden Harris and Marlon Fossey ended with Mikolaj Kwietniewski volleying home from eight yards. Villa pulled one back with 10 minutes left. The hosts were awarded a penalty after Ryan Sessegnon tripped an advancing midfielder. Ashby-Hammond got his hand to the spot-kick but couldn’t keep it out. Thorsteinsson went close to restoring Fulham’s two-goal advantage, before Marlon Fossey made sure of the points when he started and finished a move with a low left-foot finish.”
Video highlights. Don't know about all the hype over Dele Alli's goal for Spurs at the weekend, he was obviously getting his ideas from our own Mikolaj - terrific skill by the lad for our second. Great work as well from Marlon Fossey leading up to that one and his own for our third.
Arsenal 1 Fulham 3 (U18s) Terrific win for the lads - not least for who it was against – which keeps them on a winning run in the League and now confidently in third spot. And that boy Mikolaj is on a scoring streak as well with another two today; ably helped by my mini-favourite Harrison Paton. The team was: Norman; Fossey, Opoku, Jenz, Sessegnon; Harris, Nabay; Thorsteinsson, Kwietniewski, Paton; Adebayo “Fulham started brightly in tricky conditions. A strong wind and continuous rain meant that the early stages were dominated by direct long balls to Adebayo, who was leading the line for Fulham. The first chance fell his way after being played through by a perfectly weighted through ball from Kwietniewski, but his shot was tipped over the bar. The Arsenal keeper was scrambling once again five minutes later when Adebayo attempted to curl a left footed shot on target from outside the box. His effort took a hefty deflection off a defender and dropped just wide of the post. It was the Gunners who took a fortuitous lead moments later when Edward Nketiah slotted home low past Norman in the Fulham net after some tidy build up. Fulham did not let their heads drop despite the adverse conditions and looked immediately to get back in the game. Foday Nabay, wearing the captain’s armband, was the engine room at the heart of the midfield, with Harrison Paton and Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson willing outlets on either flank. Kwietniewski playing off Adebayo was a constant threat with quick feet and slaloming runs. Fulham were unlucky not to level in the 16th minute as a mix up in the Arsenal defence saw the Polish midfielder gifted with a golden opportunity. However, a slick surface caused him to lose his footing and not connect cleanly with his shot. The free-flowing and intricate build up from a solid Fulham outfit saw chances fall to Ryan Sessegnon and Adebayo before they were eventually back level. A corner taken by Marlon Fossey got held up in the wind and following a goal mouth scramble Mikolaj Kwietniewski was on hand to tap home from close range. Moments later Fulham took a deserved lead after a superb run and cross down the left flank by Sessegnon who found an unmarked Elijah Adebayo to side foot home from six yards out. Rather than resting on their laurels following the go ahead goal Fulham maintained the pressure on a shell-shocked Arsenal outfit. The tenacious Nabay constantly asserting his dominance with the calming influence of Moritz Jenz and Jerome Opoku repelling all advances. On the stroke of half-time the Whites doubled their lead. A strong challenge from Thorsteinsson in the opposition half found him in space. Without hesitation he looked forward and played Mikolaj Kwietniewski through on goal. With only the keeper to beat he opened his body up and calmly placed his shot into the bottom right hand corner. The second half was an uneventful affair in comparison to the electric first but Fulham maintained a high level of intensity throughout. They were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty on the hour mark when another excellent run by Sessegnon down the left wing saw him bundled over by a clumsy challenge. Despite the calls for a foul the referee waved away the protests. With 15 minutes remaining Nabay was still full of running and his low cross from the right wing was close to finding Thorsteinsson at the back post but it was well cleared. With the rain continuing to fall and the wind whipping around the pitch Arsenal continued to press and attempt to get back in the game but a stoic team effort from the Whites saw them stand firm and frustrate to the final whistle.”
Actually Matt played as Number 8 for the first 70 minutes..report very inaccurate..great performance by him and the team in awful conditions against a very strong Arsenal team..they should check their facts before they gloat..
Obviously I lifted the detail from the Club site Doriley and do you know, when I read it at first something was going through my mind that Matt had played. Weird! But that's really poor by the Club Doriley. Not the first time they've got things wrong is it? Must be very frustrating for you, and Matt (although I suspect he's more bothered about what Steve Wigley says than some numpty from the office.)
