Aimed at League 1 and 2 sides, this year there are a number of 'invited' Academies from the higher leagues. We are one of those, having decided to accept the invitation in Ali Mac's words because "the Club felt the Trophy should, in theory, allow some of the Club’s Academy players experience of senior football and that the EFL had instituted a number of rule changes following last season’s experience." Not entirely convinced about this competition and the benefits given that the vast majority of our U23 squad are in fact under twenty-one. However, where I do have trust is that Huw Jennings knows what he's doing. Fulham have been drawn in a group with Portsmouth, Crawley Town and Charlton Athletic. All our group fixtures will be away matches and the first is at Fratton Park tomorrow night (16th August) against Pompey.
Fixtures aren't very fan friendly for those going to Leeds tonight then have Portsmouth away on wednesday.
Portsmouth 3 Fulham U21s 3 (Group Stage) So you'd think 1 point for each side. Nope! This year the competition has the unusual rule that in the event of a draw at the end of normal time it goes to penalties for an extra point. And that was compounded by also introducing the ABBA system. Kind of ignoring the sequence the penalties were taken then, Fulham scored 4 and Pompey 2 (Magnus Norman saving 2). We therefore get the bonus point. The team was: Norman, S.Sessegnon, Davies, Opoku (Harris 76'), Kavanagh, Kait (Kwietniewski 79'), O'Riley, Humphrys, Thorsteinsson, Adebayo, Williams Unused subs: Ashby-Hammond, Nabay, Elstone, Andrason and Pearce The lads dominated the first half with Matt O'Riley running the midfield and Stevie Humphrys doing what Stevie does - scoring goals. Well one, and the team were to rue all the missed chances. Within 10 minutes of the restart Pompey scored two within as many minutes. On the hour wee Georgie Williams was brought down in the box by their goalie, got up and scored from the spot. Didn't take long for Pompey to regain the lead though and with a thumping shot but Elijah Adebayo manged to squeeze the ball under the keeper shortly before full time for the equalizer. Decent start in the competition , all things considered, by the lads. And just to recap, they came away with 2 points.
The rules of this competition are quite confusing. As said earlier it previously had been for teams in Leagues 1 and 2 but this year the Academies from clubs in higher Leagues were 'invited' to enter an U21 side; well a side the involved at least 5 players under 21. So basically, our U21s play the first team from the League 1 or 2 club. Last night Portsmouth made seven changes from the side that played the weekend, arguably then we were up against there reserve team. Another confusing issue is the introduction in the Group Stage of a bonus point if the teams are level at the end of full time. Could be a neat academic argument here about the merits of that and whether the change to 3 points for a win (can't remember how many years ago!) is failing. Anyway, we got the bonus point last night following the penalty shoot out. And here's how -
Doesn't get any better. The second match - away to Crawley - has been moved from Tuesday 28 November to Wednesday 29 November. And ... from a 7:45pm kick off to 3pm !
Don't know, but it might as well be. Forgot to mention. Before that one, the lads take on Charlton Athletic at the Valley on Wednesday 1st November. 7:45pm. Tickets are £10; £5 for for Golden Oldies.
Charlton 3 Fulham 2 (Group Stage) Cruel it may feel to lose when leading 2-1 with a minute of normal time to go but regrettably the lads conceded in the 89th and 91st minute. Made worse by the first of those being really scrappy; the ball from a corner pin-ponging around the penalty box before a Charlton foot poke it in. Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson had put us ahead in the 3rd minute, with another beautiful curling shot, and in an even first half the teams went in 1-1 at half time. We were on top in the second half though, O'Riley and Thorsteinsson working numerous openings, and went ahead on the hour with a goal from, who else, Cameron Thompson. And but for those fateful last couple of minutes ... ! However, there's still everything to fight for in the Group. Well worth remembering that 6 of the staring eleven were under 18 and Magnus Norman and Aron Davies the oldest at 20 years of age. The team was: Norman, Spence, Atkinson, O'Riley, Davies, Jenz, Kwietniewski (Thompson 46'), Harris, Adebayo (Elstone 78'), Kait, Thorsteinsson Unused subs: L. Ashby-Hammond, Francois, Nabay, Andrason and Pearce
Crawley 1 Fulham 3 (Group Stage) Will start with the team since this is an U21 tournament where I'd understood over age players weren't eligible.: L. Ashby-Hammond; Jenz, Davies, Madl, Soares; Cissé (Thorsteinsson 70'); Mollo (Kwietniewski 90'), O'Riley, Kait, Graham; Adebayo Unused subs: J. Schwarzer, Atkinson, Nabay, Andrason and Elstone This was a game with nothing at stake as neither team could top the Group. Maybe a reason why older players were allowed but don't know. Whatever there's no doubt that one of them Jordan Graham made his mark; scoring twice and having an assist for our first. Graham's first goal was on the stroke of half time, with great control of an Adebayo cross followed by a thumping shot. His second was late in the game (84th minute) with a sprint from the half way line before rounding their keeper and popping it home. Mention this specifically 'cos the guy is clearly now match fit. The assist he made was for Elijah Adebayo, who initially fluffed it (not the only time in the game he did that with his shots, it should be said) but somehow he got his head to the ball and it marginally crossed the line. Let's not take anything away from the lad though, this goal puts him into double figures for the season and as you can see he was rather pleased - Couple of other observations. We now Michael Madl does exist. And more importantly, from someone at the game, understand our very own "Putney Pirlo", Matt O'Riley, was majestic; controlling the midfield and pinging the ball accurately all over the pitch
