Great chance coming up for everybody. Week tomorrow, Tuesday 18th March, FA Youth Cip v Huddersfield at Craven Cottage. Kick off 7pm.
So if any of the regulars who are depressed with the current squads performance, get down to the Cottage and see some talent and commitment
If we get through this next round our opponents will be Reading. They beat Liverpool U18s tonight, scoring two goals in the last minutes to make it 4-4 and then won 5-4 on penalties. They're currently 4th in the League and although we've already beaten them twice in the League this year (4-3 at home and 2-1 away) our winning goal in each game came very late on. They'll be tough opposition.
Fulham 1 Southampton 3 (U21s) The team was: Norman, Elworthy (Fossey 78), Edun, Adebayo, Baba, Clarke (Shansi 73), Leacock-McLeod, Nabay, Humphrys (Smile 73), Walker, Redford With their FA Youth Cup Quarter-Final against Huddersfield Town on the horizon, Steve Wigley fielded a much-changed team for the clash with Saints, handing chances to a number of younger players. The Whites nearly went in front in the 19th minute when skipper Noe Baba nodded a corner goalwards only for Tom Leggett to head it off the line. Seven minutes later, Foday Nabay was denied from point-blank range by visiting keeper Harry Isted after the Fulham youngster had raced onto Mehki Leacock-McLeod’s pass. Southampton took the lead against the run of play 10 minutes later, Jake Hesketh firing into the top-right corner after meeting Ryan Seager’s pull-back. Marcus Barnes almost added a second just before the break when his shot flew inches over Magnus Norman’s crossbar but the Whites levelled on the stroke of half-time, Josh Walker firing home a rebound after Jamie Clarke’s initial drive had been saved. Aaron Redford went close to putting Fulham in front just after the break with a shot that flashed just wide in the 54th minute and it was Southampton that made it 2-1 on 58 when Josh Sims volleyed an effort past Norman. Walker forced a fine save from Isted on 71 but Saints wrapped up the win in the dying minutes when Will Wood headed home George Mells’ cross.
FA interview with Pat Roberts before Tuesday's game: "Patrick Roberts wants to reward Fulham's faith in him by firing them to FA Youth Cup glory. The England U17 forward celebrated his 17th birthday last month by signing his first professional contract with the club - a reward for his fine form this season. And on Saturday afternoon, the youngster was called-up to the first-team squad and named on the bench for Fulham's victory over Newcastle United at Craven Cottage. Roberts has been instrumental so far in his side's run to the Youth Cup quarter-finals this year, the highlight of which came as he fired a hat-trick to seal a 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in The Fourth Round. "It was definitely the best night of my career so far," said Roberts. "Spurs are a very good side, and it was a tough game where they passed the ball around really well. To score all three was unbelievable, I was just in the right place at the right time, but it was amazing." "Being honest, I do love a goal or two in a game, but I'm just as happy to set them up if it means we are winning." Following that victory over Tottenham, Fulham faced another tough test in The Fifth Round - one they passed with top marks. "We faced Manchester City after that and it was another great night. They had a team full of great players, but defensively we were superb. We did very well and were delighted to win 3-1," Roberts said. Next up is Huddersfield Town, who themselves grabbed headlines when they defeated Manchester United in the last round, and another top notch performance will be needed if they are to overcome the Terriers says the livewire attacker. Ahead of Tuesday night's clash at Craven Cottage, Roberts said: "It'll be good. We know they'll be a good side, they knocked United out, so it's going to be tough. They are obviously a good team and proved that through the run they've had, and we need to be on our guard and at the top of our game once again." The winners will face Reading in the two-legged Semi-Final, and with the Final almost within touching distance, Roberts says it would be 'a massive achievement' to go all the way. "For all the young lads around the country, the Youth Cup is the one you want to win. It's exactly like The FA Cup and when you look at some of the previous winners, it's a prestigious competition." And winning it is exactly what Roberts is targeting after committing his future to the West London club. "It was unreal," he explains. "Signing pro was obviously a big thing, and the day I signed it I went home with an unbelievable feeling knowing I was now a professional. All the hard has paid off, but I know I've still got a lot more to do. This is hopefully only the start, and my aim is to reward Fulham's faith in me and try to break into the first-team in the upcoming years." "For the time being, I want to keep playing well for them and help the club to win the Youth Cup this season." Source: http://www.thefa.com/news/competiti...ce-patrick-roberts-160314#5HG47GlVBEVg3J50.99
Fulham 2 Huddersfield 1 (FA Youth Cup - Quarter Final) The team was: Rodack; Sheckleford, Donnelly, Burgess, O'Halloran; Roberts, Hyndman, Sambou, Hyndman, Evans, Dembele, Williams Really good game and Fulham by no means had it there own way. The difference was, we had Moussa Dembele. I was very impressed by Huddersfield; very organised, physical and pressed well. Their No.8 stood out, literally as well as by his performance. He was a tall gangly lad playing in midfield who read the game so well and had great vision with his passes. Our midfield pair Sambou and Hyndman had a difficult night; they weren’t poor but just couldn’t get on top of the hard and fast tackling of Huddersfield. Fulham were the better footballing side though, evidenced by the first goal when the ball was moved down the left wing, inside to Hyndman, forward to Dembele, out to the right wing and crossed to Dembele who had moved behind the defence to head in from close range. Dembele didn’t get an awful lot of service but his movement was terrific all night. Evidenced this time by his second goal when he again got behind the defence to latch onto a Robert chip and fired a left foot shot into the far corner. Overall it was a deserved win and a great overall team performance. Mention though to, George Williams who showed fantastic pace down the left and put in some dangerous crosses. Pat Roberts who had a number of mesmeric dribbles although less end product than normal (and a wee bit of petulance when team mates didn’t give him the ball). The centre back pairing of Liam Donnelly and Cameron Burgess - Cameron was magnificent in the air. But the last word goes to Huddersfield. They fought right to the death and were desparately unlucky not to equalise in the 93rd minute with a shot that crashed against the junction of the goal. PS A very decent crowd of, at a guess, 3000 plus who got quite vocal in the second half and exceptionally so in a tense final five minutes.
Something I found quite pleasing was that 12 of the youngster's in last night's group of 16 were from the UK and Eire. Here are the goals - [video=youtube;KUg3JanVFI0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUg3JanVFI0&feature=player_detailpage[/video] [Didn't mention it in my earlier post because I wasn't sure but I thought at the game Liam Donnelly was tripped in the lead up to their goal. I believe the video confirms that he was]
Success is bringing it's problems. Trying to decide on priorities between the Dallas Cup and the FA Youth Cup, as well as holding onto their top place in the League, the Club are having a bit of a nightmare juggling fixtures. Fans should note that our Barclays Under-18 Premier League game against Chelsea has been switched from Tuesday 6th May to Tuesday 25th March (6pm) at Motspur Park. Our Under-18s have also see their away trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday 29th March postponed. A rearranged date is yet to be confirmed. Dates for the FA Youth Cup Semi-Final will be announced as soon as the Club have reached an agreement with Reading. [Bizarrely, the dates for the two legs in te cup tie against Reading were originally scheduled for this Saturday (22nd March) and Saturday 5th April kick off 7pm]
More adjustments to the U18 fixtures: Steve Wigley’s side will now face Middlesbrough at 11am on Tuesday 29th April (previously due to be played on Saturday 29th March). In addition, they will travel to West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday 6th May (previously scheduled for Saturday 15th February), kick-off time to be confirmed
Fulham 0 Chelsea 0 (U18s) A Point Earned A couple of “big names” missing tonight but still a pretty experienced side. The team was: Rodak, Sheckleford, Donnelly, Adebayo, Baba, Sambou, Hyndman, Smile, Leacock-McLeod, Williams, Redford Subs: Norman, Shamsi, Humphrys, Walker, Fossey A cagey first twenty minutes from both sides with the only goal attempts being a couple of long range efforts from Chelsea guys. Then a good piece of play by us gave Aaron Redford had a huge chance but he smashed the ball wide. As in the Reading Cup tie we played 4-2-3-1 and as in that game Sambou and Hyndman struggled to control the midfield. Indeed Chelsea had most possession and the better play in the first half but for all that the nearest they came to a goal was a long range effort that skidded onto the post before Marek Rodak managed to scrambled the ball clear with the help of a Chelsea player. So it was even-steven, 0-0 at half time. Walker came on for Hyndman at the start of the second half (presumably because Emerson was injured). Although there was a lot of industry neither team were really threatening. Fulham made another change on the hour bringing Humphrys on for Redford and suddenly we looked brighter. Both full backs making good forward runs and inside players making space. Fulham made their last sub change quarter of an hour from the end bringing (newcomer?) Shamsi on for Sambou. And that was it with the game ending 0-0 at full time. Not an exciting game from the point of view of goalmouth incidents and some sloppy passing. However credit to both teams for effort. Liam Donnelly organised our back four really well. May be a tad prejudiced but thought Noe Baba was probably our best; his highlights being a header cleared off the line in the first half and a cross cum shot tipped over in the second.
Dates for the Cup tie v Reading have been confirmed: The First Leg will take place at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday 1st April, kick-off 7pm. [Presumably this is why the U21 game v Liverpool was switched to an afternoon kick off and behind closed doors] The Second Leg will take place at Craven Cottage on Monday 7th April, kick-off 7.45pm, and will be shown live on ITV4.
Reading 2 Fulham 2 (U18s) (FA Youth Cup) Half Time The big guns were out for us tonight and what a gutsy performance from our young team who came from two down and played for an hour with 10 men. The team was- ………………….Rodak…………… ..Sheckleford….Donnelly….Burgess…Evans.. ….......Hyndman..Sambou…. …Williams….Roberts…O‘Halloran.. ……………...Dembele.. Subs: Norman, Baba, Smile, Leacock-McLeod, Redford. Scorers; Emerson Hyndman penalty after Pat Roberts brought down Pat Roberts close range and scruffy (but who cares!) The home side got things underway and caused concern in the Fulham penalty area within 60 seconds when a long throw by Sammi Fridjonsson found its way into the six yard box, but evaded everyone much to the relief of the visiting defence. Aaron Kuhl then flicked a ball onto Harry Cardwell on the edge of the box on four minutes, but the forward’s first time strike deflected off Liam Donnelly and behind for a corner. Reading were dominating the opening stages and threatened again when Nana Owusu’s cross was cleared only as far as Tariqe Fosu moments later, but the winger curled his strike over the bar. And the Royals should have gone one up in the ninth minute. More positive stuff from Owusu saw him leave Ryheem Sheckleford for dead before he cut the ball back to Cardwell, but Donnelly was perfectly positioned to clear his goalbound shot from off the line. The first decent opportunity for the Whites then presented itself when Roberts fed George Williams who had made a good run down the left, and his ball fizzed across the face and beyond the outstretched boot of Dembélé. Rob Dickie then headed over from a corner, before Liam Kelly volleyed wide from 20 yards as Reading continued to increase their shot count, but they were still yet to test Rodak in the Fulham goal. A lovely move involving Kelly and Jack Stacey on 16 minutes culminated in the latter firing in a dangerous cross, but Cameron Burgess was on hand to deal with the danger at the expense of a corner. That set-piece saw Stacey connect with a powerful header, but Rodak was in place to tip it over for another corner – this one came to nothing, though. But they did take the lead on 20 minutes, and it did arrive courtesy of a corner. Kelly drilled over the dead ball from the left and Dickie rose highest to power the ball inside the far post. The Whites – in their red away strip – looked for an immediate response and a marauding run from Williams saw him beat three defenders but Dean O’Halloran was unable to get a shot away after being fed the ball as a recovering Royal punted it out for a corner, which Donnelly ended up heading wide. A trademark mazy run from Roberts saw him get away from a flurry of stripped shirts as he wove into the box, but his shot was deflected away in the 25th minute. A rapid counter attack then saw Fosu burst through one on one, but Donnelly recovered impeccably to get a toe on the winger’s shot which saw it trickle wide. More neat play between Williams and Roberts presented the England youth international with another glimpse of goal, but his strike lacked power and it was comfortably claimed by Reading goalkeeper Lewis Ward. Reading were handed a massive boost just after the half hour when a threaded through ball from Kuhl sent Stacey in on goal. He rounded Rodak who was adjudged by the referee to have been the last man as he brought the Reading man down and was subsequently sent off. O’Halloran was the man sacrificed as Norman came on to face Fosu from 12 yards, but the winger calmly planted his spot-kick into the top left hand corner of the goal. And the same man almost extended the lead 10 minutes before the break when he let fly from 30 yards, but Norman reacted well to tip the fierce effort over. The substitute keeper needed to be at his best again moments later when Fosu found space in the box and fired in from a tight angle only to be denied by Norman. A deftly hit Roberts strike on his weaker left foot almost caught Ward out in the 41st minute, but the keeper was able to chest behind for a corner. Reading were able to counter from that and hearts were in mouths for Fulham when Norman raced out to try and avert the danger 25 yards from goal. He only half cleared the ball and was left exposed but Kelly – urged to shoot by the home fans – sent his 40 yard effort fractionally wide. A brilliant start to the second half saw Jordan Evans play Williams in behind the defence but Ward made a fine sprawling save to push his low drive behind for a corner, from which Donnelly headed down into the ground and over the bar. Reading had the ball in the back of the net once more five minutes after the restart when Fridjonsson crashed home, but the strike was ruled out for offside. The Royals had found their feet again and Dickie went close to grabbing his second of the night when he connected firmly with a corner, but Burgess was on the line to hack away. And, moments later, their lead was again nearly extended – this time when Owusu drew a good save from Norman at his near post. Wigley made his second change of the evening shortly before the hour mark with Dembélé – who played 81 minutes against Everton on Sunday – replaced by Josh Smile. It was Fulham’s turn to win a penalty a minute later when Roberts showed incredible skill in the area to beat his man before being wiped out. Emerson Hyndman stepped up to emphatically smash the penalty into the same spot that Fosu had chosen earlier in the tie. And the American went close to equalising in the 65th minute when he lashed in a strike from an acute angle that Ward got good hands to. Both sides were carving out chances and it was the Royals’ turn next on 70 minutes as Kelly rifled one in that looked as though it was arrowing into the top corner until it swerved away at the last minute. Fulham secured a brilliant leveller on 74 minutes. Good running by Evans ended with him finding Williams in the box, his shot was blocked but Pat Roberts showed real composure to drag the ball back away from the goalkeeper before calmly slotting beyond the recovering defenders and into the empty net. The good work was almost undone in the 77th minute when Donnelly’s back pass evaded Norman but the stopper managed to catch up with the ball and poke it behind for a corner. A clever free-kick two minutes later saw Kelly clip a cute ball into Stacey but his volley over his shoulder sailed some way wide. Kelly went much closer moments later, though, when his looping header required an agile intervention from Norman to tip over for a corner. Fulham made their final change with a minute remaining of normal time as Mekhi Leacock-McLeod came on for Hyndman. No more chances were forthcoming, though, and Fulham will be delighted to kick off in the Second Leg at Craven Cottage next Monday on an even keel.
Ten man Fulham showed great character to come from two goals down to earn a draw in their FA Youth Cup Semi-Final First Leg away to Reading. http://www.fulhamfc.com/under-18s/2013_2014/cup/semi-final/away/reading Looking forward to the 2nd leg. The future looks bright. COYW!
Sounds they showed great determination going down to 10 men and getting the 2 goals. Roll on next leg, I think it is on Monday and I read somewhere that it is supposed to be on ITV4. Must watch if so. COYW
Sounds like O'Halloran had a great game - managing to play in two positions at once. Perhaps that's why getting a man sent off didn't affect us too much - it still left us with eleven on the pitch! Getting to the Cottage isn't an option for us, but it's the first day of my boys' school holidays, so I've told them they can sit up and watch it on telly with me. COYW!
Whoops! Sorry about that. Fortunately when he was sacrificed because of Rodak's dismissal, Steve Wiggley shouted "Dean" and Luis Boa Morte shouted "Deano"......so both of him came off. PS To give the lads the best chance possible in the second leg, the Club have postponed the game scheduled for this Saturday gainst Everton.
Do you reckon Moussa and Roberts will be involved with the first team this weekend or rested to be fresh for Monday's game? Obviously the first team is most important but this is a great chance for the youngsters to win some silverware.
Reading 2 Fulham 2 (U18s) (FA Youth Cup) See how Pat Roberts made it all right on the night - [video=youtube;3c4siaYirks]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c4siaYirks&feature=player_embedded[/video]
