Video highlights of the goals. And blimey, just watch the beezer from Kaca - if that isn't the goal of the season I'll be the new manager's uncle!
Erm call me old fashioned but did Rigg, at some point, explain he wanted all Fulham teams to play in the same style. My point is why doesn't the first team at like the U21's? Get on the naughty step Rigg.
The team have been drawn away again in the next round of the Cup - to West Ham. The game's due to be played on 13th January, kick off 7pm. Should go into the match with confidence, having already beaten the 2-0 away just a few weeks ago; and that without the 'super subs' from the first team.
Brighton 3 Fulham 3 (U21s) In one of their few games over the December/January period the lads nearly pinched all the points at a blustery and wet Motspur Park this afternoon. The Club fielded a number of first teamers, among them LVC and Matilla. Good also to see wee Georgie Williams coming back from injury with a goal and an assist. The starting line up was: Rodák, Voser, Grimmer, Burgess, Kavanagh, Smile, Mattila, de la Torre, Christensen, Williams, Woodrow Subs: Norman, Sheckleford, Kait, Pino Soler, Elworthy. For an ‘unbiased’ view, here’s the match report from the opposition: “Albion started the game brightly, as Dessie Hutchinson fired wide from Jack Harper’s cross.The Irishman was involved in the thick of the action again when he shot wide with a well-worked free-kick.Jayson Molumby was next to try his luck from distance, following a free-flowing move, and fired an effort over the bar.The Seagulls were rewarded for their positive start after Dylan Barnett’s cross into the area caused havoc in the Fulham defence and Tilley was on hand to tap the ball home in the 23rd minute. The visitors levelled the score-line just three minutes later though, when Cauley Woodrow prodded the ball home after a mix up in the Albion defence. [Georgie latching on to a poor back pass and squaring to Cauley] Woodrow had a chance to put the Cottagers in front, but the Seagulls’ shot-stopper Bailey Vose made a low save.The West Londoners did take the lead in the 36th minute, after George Williams cut inside from the left flank and sent a low strike beyond Vose. Harper brought parity to the score-line in the 56th minute, after Fulham keeper Marek Rodak pushed Tom Dallison’s effort into the path of the Scotsman, who slotted the ball into an empty net.Tilley twice came close to restoring Albion’s lead, but Rodak dealt with both of the efforts with two fine saves.Jeffrey Monakana was brought on to add fresh impetus to Albion’s attack and after weaving through the Fulham defence, he saw his shot saved by Rodak. The Cottagers looked like they had stolen all three minutes with four minutes of normal time remaining, after substitute Mattias Kait [on for LVC] slotted home from Lucas De La Torre’s cross.But Harper deservedly claimed a share of the spoils for Albion after he fired home from close range to give Simon Rusk’s side a point.”
Video highlights. Not brilliant quality and that goes for the defending by a certain left back as well. Great goal by wee Georgie though.
West Ham 3 Fulham 2 (U21s) (Premier League Cup) [AET] The lads were back in action for this Cup tie, after quite a time off. Fronted on this occasion by first teamers Ben Pringle, Matt Smith and not least Georgie Wiiliams. And backed up by the forgotten man, Nikolay Bodurorv. This man in the spotty scarf was out there as well, roaring the boys on. please log in to view this image However a soft penalty awarded in the first half of extra time put a damper on the night. The team was: Norman, Sheckleford, Elworthy, Smile, Pino Soler, Bodurov, De La Torre, Kait, Williams, Pringle, Smith Subs: Dawber, Redford, Humphrys and Adebayo ”The Whites started brightly and the first chance fell to Williams as he skipped effortlessly passed two West Ham defenders and cut in from the left flank. His attempted curled shot looked destined for the bottom corner, only to see Sam Howes make a smart save in the Hammers net. The breakthrough came eight minutes later when a perfectly lofted throughball by Ian Pino Soler in behind the West Ham back four found Matt Smith. With the West Ham defence reeling, Smith took a touch and steadied himself before firing a powerful right-footed shot on goal. His effort took a big deflection off a West Ham defender and found a way past a wrong-footed Howes. The lead was short-lived as six minutes later Djair Parfitt-Williams was able to outleap everyone at a corner and head home past Magnus Norman, who had been untested up until that point. Fulham were back in front on the half-hour mark. Pringle lined up a free-kick just outside the box which was palmed behind. The resulting corner was almost turned in by a defender. Howes did incredibly well to palm it clear but an opportunistic Mattias Kait was well positioned to slide home from three yards. Moments later Fulham were unlucky not to go further in front as Williams initiated a two-on-one after beating two defenders and surging towards goal. Following a quick touch onto his left foot, his shot was well blocked behind for a corner. The Whites were punished just before half-time when Lee lashed a shot in from just outside the box. With the temperature dropping, the referee blew his whistle to bring an end to an action-packed first half. With Head Coach Slaviša Jokanović watching in the stands, it was West Ham who grabbed the initiative early on in the second half. A brilliant save by Norman from Josh Cullen kept the teams level and then moments later Williams saw a left-footed drive fly over the bar after some positive play from the Welshman. Norman was again called into action in the 59th minute when he tipped a thunderous Parfitt-Williams strike onto the bar after some tricky footwork opened up space for him on the left-hand corner of the box. It was West Ham who looked the more likely to progress to the next round but they squandered numerous chances in the closing stages to take the lead. The Whites stood firm and the match was sent to extra-time. Not long after the match was back under way, Smith struck the post with a downward header from a corner. But Fulham were behind moments later. Stephen Hendrie picked up the ball on the edge of the Whites box and was awarded a penalty after going down easily. Lee stepped up to take the penalty and slotted home into the bottom right-hand corner after sending Norman the wrong way. As light rain began to fall, Fulham pressed for the equaliser but weren’t able to make inroads and pull things level to send the match to penalties.”
A new date for our U21 game with Aston Villa has been scheduled - Thursdayday January 28 at Bodymoor Heath, kick-off 12.30pm. Original it was set for Monday February 1st but has been re-arranged because of their FA Youth Cup match against Blackburn. Source: http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~5283137,00.html?
Fulham 1 West Ham 3 (U21s) A repeat result of the Cup game unfortunately but by all accounts this one definitely flattered West Ham. Some outstanding performances from our lads - especially Stevie Humphrys – and no luck at all on many occasions. The team was: Norman, Sheckleford, Bodurov (Davies 14’), Pino Soler, Elworthy, Voser, Mattila (Walker 67’), de la Torre, Smile, Adeniran, Humphrys Unused subs: Dawber, Kwietniewski [No Georgie Williams and not sure what to read into that] “The early stages saw both teams eager to attack, with the visitors creating the first real chance after George Dobson dispossessed Sakari Mattila in midfield. The Whites hit back with two quick attacks as Dennis Adeniran shot high and wide from 20 yards. With the next attack the impressive Josh Smile broke wide from midfield, moving into the channel before fizzing a ball into the West Ham box. The whip on the ball evaded the clutches of Sam Howes, allowing Stevie Humphrys to tap in from a yard out. Fulham then took it to their visitors, as a long ball from substitute Aron Davies – who replaced the injured Nikolay Bodurov – was knocked down by Humphrys for Luca de la Torre who smash one against the bar. After sustaining pressure on the Hammers, a surging run down the left from Vashon Neufville led to a cross-cum-shot that Davies could only direct as far as Parfitt-Williams who finished past Magnus Norman. The second half started with the visitors asserting pressure onto the hosts, with Norman making a fine save following a rasping effort from right-back Alex Pike. As the visitors continued to press high Fulham remained resilient, breaking with pace and power. As Fulham battled to secure a foothold in the game, a surging run by opposition scorer Parfitt-Williams led to Ian Pino Soler fouling the wide man in the box. Cullen stepped up to take the penalty, delicately placing the ball past Norman to give the visitors the lead. 10 minutes later the visitors doubled their advantage as the impressive Cullen found space to send a wicked cross into the near post, which Parfitt-Williams connected with to send the ball crashing into the top corner. As the match drew to a close the Whites battled to close the deficit and a wonderful piece of individual skill from Humphrys brought the hosts only inches away from doing just that. After Shane Elworthy tore down the left hand side, his deep cross was controlled on the chest by the Fulham number nine who flicked up, spun and hammered a right footed volley against the post. This was to be the final action as the referee blew the final whistle.”
Aston Villa 1 Fulham 0 (U21s) Great to see [B[Jesse Joronen[/B] back eh what rosc. We fielded a fair number of U18s today – according to Peter Grant to rotate players, ensuring they all get game time and as part of our player development programme. Have to applaud this but partly it’s because our ‘true’ U21 group is quite small in number and not quite sure how the ‘game time’ bit works since a couple of the lads played earlier in the week for the U18s. Not to worry, by all accounts we turned in a good team performance and only went down because of missed chances (unfortunately, it has to be said .. again!). The team was: Joronen; Sheckleford, Davies, Pino Soler, Elworthy; Kwietniewski (Donnelly 64'), Smile; de la Torre, Adeniran (Adebayo 83'), Humphrys; Walker Unused sub: Dawber (the goalie) ” After a bright start by the hosts, Peter Grant’s boys took control of proceedings and had the game’s first chance in the seventh minute when Mikolaj Kwietniewski laid it off to Luca de la Torre who opened his body up and hit across the ball from 20 yards out, sending it crashing into a defender and behind. Dennis Adeniran, too, had a shot deflected not long after, as he followed up a driving run with a low strike from an angle that whipped into the side-netting after clipping a Villa man. The Villans’ first effort of note arrived just after the quarter-hour mark when Rory Hale volleyed wide from the corner of the penalty box. But seconds later Fulham should have opened the scoring. Adeniran won possession and dribbled into the area before unselfishly squaring to Josh Walker, who had his close-range shot brilliantly blocked to save a certain goal. Stephen Humphrys then sent a free-kick over the bar after de la Torre had been clipped just outside the box. Villa showed they were not without their threat midway through the first half when Khalid Abdo was able to trap the ball in the area and swivel, only to send his shot over, before Kevin Toner did likewise after the Whites failed to clear a corner. Just after the half-hour mark Fulham saw another golden opening pass them by. De la Torre sent in a sumptuous cross to Humphrys who had lost his marker, but the striker glanced his header wide of the target. The deadlock was then broken six minutes later when Tom Leggett cut the ball back to Niall Mason who rifled through a cluster of bodies to find the bottom corner. Fulham looked for a quick response in the second half and almost had it when a beautiful de la Torre pass found Walker who chested it down, but a defender recovered well to clear the danger. It was nearly 2-0 moments later when Henry Cowans’ curling free-kick smashed the underside of the crossbar before bouncing onto the line. Jesse Joronen may well have got fingertips to it, and if he did it was a remarkable stop. After an hour it was the Whites who went close with a set-piece. Humphrys got his effort up and over the wall, but home stopper Viktor Johansson got down well to his right to palm it away. Captain Josh Smile then thought he’d equalised when his dipping strike from 20 yards looked set to find the postage stamp, but Johansson was there again to claw it away. Villa were doing a good job of seeing the game out and a couple of half-chances for de la Torre in stoppage time were the closest Fulham came to salvaging the game.”
Fulham 1 West Brom 1 (U21s) The boss was watching this one as a fair few of his potential first team squad played – and obviously won’t be in his team against Derby tomorrow. Interestingly none of the newbies played. Slavi ought to have been pleased with Wee Georgie Williams, not least for his 88th minute goal, but he’d have been less than happy with our defence and their 93rd minute equaliser. The team was: Joronen; Sheckleford, Stearman (Donnelly 46'), Pino Soler, Elworthy; Hyndman, Smile; de la Torre, Williams, Pringle; Humphrys Unused subs: Dawber, Kait, Redford “The Whites had the first chance in the 10th minute. An excellent interception and frighteningly quick feet from Hyndman allowed him to set Stephen Humphrys free down the right. He charged forward and played a neat reverse pass to find Williams, whose shot was expertly saved by West Brom goalkeeper and captain Jack Rose. Stearman was a commanding and vocal presence throughout the first-half and almost sent the Whites ahead in the 16th minute. He found space from a corner but could not direct his flicked header goalward and it whistled narrowly wide of the post. The centre-back was on hand to deal with a dangerous Albion chance four minutes later. A long ball to the back post was headed back across goal by Robbie McCourt and found Ward in space just eight yards out. Ward looked destined to blast the ball home but his shot was cleared by a fantastic last-ditch diving block by Stearman. There was a scare for Fulham in the 34th minute. Ian Pino Soler was caught in possession inside the box but Jesse Joronen reacted quickly to quell any danger. Whilst there were chances at both ends, the first-half lacked any real flow. The physio was called upon as many as four times in the opening 45 and that led to a stop-start opening period and reduced the tempo for both sides. The Whites were almost ahead though on the stroke of half-time. First, 18-year old Humphrys latched onto a ball in the West Brom box. He rounded the goalkeeper but could not wrap his foot round the ball. Moments later, a free-kick on the edge of the box was shifted along to skipper Josh Smile, but his 25-yard effort flew just wide. The Baggies came close in the 50th minute. Samir Nabi, who’s older brother Adil recently left the West Midlands side for Peterborough United, went through on goal. He fashioned a one-on-one chance with Joronen but the Finn spread himself brilliantly to make a crucial save. Fulham had a good chance to take the lead shortly after the hour. Smile found Humphrys with an excellent through ball into the right channel and the striker in turn found Pringle. He fed Luca de la Torre but his reverse pass to the back post evaded a white shirt and the ball was cleared. Ten minutes later the Whites looked dangerous as they caught the visitors napping with some direct and rapid play. Pino Soler charged forward from defence and fed de la Torre. His first time ball set Williams free but the Welshman’s shot narrowly evaded the target as he looked for the bottom corner. Joronen made another good stop five minutes from time. Quick feet by Tyler Roberts sent Ward through but Fulham’s keeper was quick off his line to stop any shooting chance. Both sides were without a win in four going into the match and it looked as though that wait may have ended for the hosts when Williams smashed home with just two minutes left. Defence was turned into attack in an instant when Humphrys hassled the West Brom backline and won the ball from a long clearance. Pringle was first onto it and fed George Williams, who cut in from the left-hand side of the box and powered one across goal with his right foot which nestled into the opposite corner. But the late show was not to end there. In the 93rd and final minute Roberts hassled away as he approached the byline and his lob across goal found Ward waiting at the far post. The number 10 had the simplest of headers and notched a last-gasp equaliser.”
West Brom 1 Fulham 1 (U21s) The good news is that Ryan Tunniclffe made his comeback, playing for an hour. please log in to view this image The better news is, so did Liam Donnelly and he got the equaliser in extra time. The team was: Norman; Sheckleford, Donnelly, Pino Soler, Elworthy; Tunnicliffe (Kwietniewski 59'), Smile; de la Torre, Adeniran (Thorsteinsson 73'), Redford; Humphrys Unused subs: Dawber, Walker, Davies “The Whites started positively with Donnelly repelling two direct early forays from Jonathan Leko, and Tunnicliffe a willing outlet for the Whites. It was the combative partnership of Aaron Redford and Stephen Humphrys up top for Fulham that opened up the first half chance in the game. Luca de la Torre found some space at a tight angle but had his shot charged down. Moments later Humphrys had a header at the near post saved by Jack Rose. With both sides searching for the opener, Ian Pino Soler played a pinpoint drilled through ball straight into the path of Humphrys. Having chested the powerful pass down expertly, the Baggies defence did well to close down the space and stifle a shot from the Fulham attacker. Pino Soler was involved again two minutes later as he fizzed a right footed shot just wide of the post from over 30 yards out having picked up a loose ball following a corner. As the temperature continued to drop below zero the chances were few and far between as the first half drew to a close in a stalemate, as it had in the previous encounter between the two sides. The deadlock was broken two minutes into the second half. A positive run and cross from the right flank by Josh Ezewele found McCourt at the back post. His downward header from an acute angle was too strong for a diving Magnus Norman in the Fulham net and the Baggies were in front. Tunnicliffe was replaced after a lively return from injury at the heart of the Fulham midfield in the 59th minute and replaced by Mikolaj Kwietniewski. West Brom attempted to close down the encounter by playing a stifling pressing game and were rarely troubled in the early stages of the second half. However, the Whites were close to pulling level in the 65th minute. A poor clearance was pounced on by Ryheem Sheckleford and played infield to Dennis Adeniran. A composed touch from the young midfielder committed the West Brom defender but his curled shot went inches wide of the post. Following the resulting goal kick Humphrys was played in down the left flank and outpaced the chasing defender to play in a low cross. Redford connected with a first time shot that fizzed just wide of the left hand post. All hope appeared lost for Fulham but their grit and determination shone through in the closing stages. Sheckleford and Shane Elworthy were constant outlets on either flank and were complemented well by substitutes Kwietniewski and Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson. De la Torre was direct as always and also caused trouble for tired legs late on. With the clock winding down the Whites threw caution to the wind and flung more bodies forward in an attempt to draw level, and in stoppage time their bravery was rewarded with an equaliser. Smile drilled a low cross across the penalty area and following a goal mouth scramble Liam Donnelly was on hand to prod home from inside the six-yard box. The equaliser for Fulham ended up being the final action of the match as shortly after the restart the referee blew his whistle to bring the match to a close. To add insult to injury for the home side, goalkeeper Rose was shown a red card as the teams exited the field of play, presumably for dissent.”
Newcastle 0 Fulham 3 (U21s) Great to see Marcus Bettinelli return to the fray after that horrible injury – a full 90 minutes and a couple of fine saves should set him up well to compete for the first team spot. Interesting also to see that the team was otherwise a ‘legitimate’ U2 side, which could raise a few questions about the players on the fringe of Slavi’s main squad. The team was: Bettinelli; Sheckleford, Davies, Donnelly, Elworthy; Smile; de la Torre, Thorsteinsson (Fossey 51'); Kwietniewski; Redford (Walker 69'), Humphrys Unused sub: Norman “Humphrys and Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson had already gone close by the time the visitors went ahead with less than nine minutes played. Luca de la Torre waited for the opportune moment before splitting the defence as he played Mikolaj Kwietniewski in, and the Polish youngster calmly rolled the ball beyond Freddie Woodman in the Newcastle goal. It could have been two shortly after. Humphrys saw his shot saved and the loose ball fell to de la Torre with Woodman exposed, but the midfielder’s effort was hacked away from near the line. The Magpies threatened for the first time 18 minutes in when Sean Longstaff cut inside and curled in a fine effort that had Bettinelli beaten, only for it to crash back off the inside of the post. And the woodwork count was one apiece just five minutes later when Aaron Redford hit a spectacular strike on the spin which smacked off the near upright. Peter Grant’s side were attacking at will and another positive spell resulted in the award of a penalty when Kwietniewski’s feet were too quick for Ben Pollock. Stevie Humphrys took the spot-kick and planted the ball into the bottom right-hand corner, sending Woodman the wrong way. A vicious attempt from Callum Williams that flew a yard over was the only other effort of note from either side in the opening 45. Bettinelli’s first real test came seven minutes after the restart when Dan Barlaser bent a shot towards the top corner that the Fulham stopper managed to get fingertips to in order to push it onto the post. It was a fine save that didn’t look as though it had been made by someone who’d been injured for five months. At the other end, Josh Smile had a 30-yarder beaten away by Woodman, before Humphrys struck the base of the post as Grant’s boys looked to kill the game once and for all. Bettinelli made his second superb save of the afternoon with a quarter of an hour remaining. Adam Laidler made space for a shot and rifled in a low angled drive that the former England Under-21 international did brilliantly to get down to. With five minutes left substitute Josh Walker crossed for Humphrys who controlled, turned and shot in one swift motion, drawing a fine stop from Woodman. The Newcastle keeper then tipped Marlon Fossey’s strike from outside the area over the bar, but he was beaten again in stoppage time when Stevie Humphrys capitalised on a wayward clearance by smashing a low shot into the bottom corner to wrap up an excellent afternoon’s work.”
The goals only; a hint of offside, a penalty and what looks like a stroll in the park. Pity they didn't liven things up with Bettinelli's saves.
The U21 game against Stoke City has been brought forward by two days and will now take place on Wednesday 2nd March (kick off 7.00pm) at Craven Cottage. One for the diary if you can make it. We beat them 2-1 at theirs earlier in the season. [The change has been made because they've been drawn at home to Notts County in the Semi-Final of the Development League Cup on Tuesday 8th March.]
Fulham 1 Stoke 1 (U21s) Breaking News: Liam Donelly has shaved off his beard. A tight, well contested game. Although given the number of first teamers getting game time we looked shaky in defence at times (quelle surprise!). That said Emerson Hyndman was pretty impressive and only outshone by Stevie Humphrys, who is really settling in having stepped up from the U18s. The team was: Bettinelli; Sheckleford, Hutchinson, Donnelly, Elworthy; Mattila, Smile (c); Labyad, Hyndman, De La Torre (Redford 69'); Humphrys (Kwietniewski 76') Unused subs: Norman, Adeniran, Pino Soler "The Whites started brightly with Ryheem Sheckleford exploiting some space on the right flank in the second minute. A dangerous whipped cross was unconvincingly cleared by a Stoke defender and eluded the outstretched leg of Josh Smile at the back post. In the fifth minute Stoke were close to scoring with their first effort on goal as Liam Edwards powered a header goalwards from the centre of the area. His thundering header was brilliantly saved by Betinelli in the Fulham net before being deflected onto the bar and scrambled clear. Despite some pressure from the Whites including a Smile effort from outside the box, Stoke remained in the ascendancy and were awarded a penalty in the 24th minute. A lofted through ball over the top of the Fulham back line was controlled by Dominic Telford. With Liam Donnelly desperately tracking back he appeared to make a clean tackle and remove the danger with a well-timed slide tackle. The referee thought otherwise and pointed to the spot and booked Donnelly shortly after as he argued his case. Marcus Bettinelli stood tall and patiently waited for Telford to pick his spot after some efforts to throw the keeper off failed. Telford slid a weak shot towards goal that was easily smothered and cleared to the delight of the fans in attendance. In the 33rd minute Humphrys created some space for himself on the edge of the box with some nifty footwork and unleashed a vicious drive that could only be parried clear and shortly after Smile was denied by a fingertip save following an excellent through ball. With the temperatures continuing to plummet it was Fulham who started brightly after the break. Luca De La Torre went close with a rasping left footed strike after a mazy run down the right wing, beating three defenders en route. Once again it was Betinelli who was on hand to keep Stoke at bay in the 55th minute producing a fine reaction save to parry a strong shot clear from close range. Fulham grabbed the lead in the 70th minute when Hydman reacted quickly to apply the pressure following a loose touch from a Stoke player. Stevie Humphrys picked up the ball and applied an expert finish across the keeper to give Fulham the lead and get his third in two games, demonstrating strength and composure to keep the defenders at bay and slot home. The lead was short-lived, as in the 82nd minute a hopeful cross cleared everyone in the box and found Mohamed El Ouariachi free at the back post. His first time shot flew past a stranded Marcus Betinelli in the Fulham net and the teams were all square once again. Despite some half chances at both ends neither side was able to grab a winner late on and the referee brought an entertaining second half to a close."
The goals - it's quite irritating that the Club don't show more highlights. They haven't even included Bettinelli's penalty save for goodness sake (not that he had to do much more than flop on the ball it was such a poor kick).
Fulham 0 Arsenal 3 (U21s) Great to see Cauley Woodrow get an hour. please log in to view this image Unfortunately for him and the rest (which included quite a few first team fringe players again), the Arsenal were just too good. The team was: Bettinelli; Fossey, Hutchinson, Pino Soler, Donnelly; Mattila, Smile; de la Torre, Hyndman (Adeniran 57'), Labyad (Kwietniewski 57'); Woodrow (Walker 57') Unused subs: Norman, Davies "Bettinelli was first called into action in the 15th minute. Some neat passing in midfield allowed Reiss Nelson a shot from 25 yards. His powerful effort forced an impressive diving save from Bettinelli, tipping over the bar at full-stretch. Fulham were behind in the 19th minute. Arsenal were awarded a free-kick on the right. Initially, Hutchinson did well to clear a dangerous deep cross but Hinds was well placed to tuck away his follow-up shot from just inside the box. The lead was doubled nine minutes later. Seemingly in a safe position, Bola collected the ball in his left-back position 35 yards from goal. He then produced a vicious strike with swerve and dip that flew in to give the visitors their second. Peter Grant’s side almost found a response in the 32nd minute. Hyndman’s testing free-kick was spilt by goalkeeper Ryan Huddart but Luca de la Torre couldn’t find his way past him from the follow-up. The Gunners grabbed their third in the 39th minute. A neat one-two between Hinds and Bola allowed the latter to reach the byline, before whipping a ball across goal that left Mavididi with a tap-in at the back post. Hyndman had a chance to claw a goal back five minutes after the restart. A Fulham corner wasn’t properly cleared and dropped to the American 18 yards out. His effort, though, was comfortably dealt with. Two minutes later Woodrow went even closer. Chasing down a ball over the top, the forward showed excellent control to bring it down and turn his man. He found room for himself as he approached the box and looked to curl one into the far corner. The ball looked destined to rustle into the net but fell narrowly wide. Another couple of minutes passed and Woodrow had another good chance. Some slick build-up play on the right and a good ball across goal found the hitman just eight yards out but he couldn’t find the net, in what would prove to be his last involvement. Fulham were a lot more positive after the break and had a flurry of chances as the game was stretched. Dennis Adeniran made a particularly good impact when he came on and almost notched an impressive solo goal in the 73rd minute. He demonstrated his pace and power to skip past four Arsenal defenders but couldn’t apply the finishing touch from close range as Huddart spread himself well to make the save. Bettinelli showed his ability in the 85th minute with an acrobatic and inventive double save. First he sprawled to his left to deny a long-range effort then had the presence of mind to react and punch away his own save as it looked to be spinning back into the goal."
