Didn't see today's game obviously. But I'd add three new ones from that team rosc - Evans, de la Torre and Humphrys (the last two who have only just stepped up to the U21s. Oh, and my current U18 favourite Harrison Paton as well.
Arsenal 1 Fulham 0 (U21s) Good to see Jesse Joronen back. Tough on the youngsters to lose late on though. The team was: Joronen; Sheckleford, Pino, Burgess, Evans; Smile (de la Torre 60'), Hyndman; O'Halloran (Humphrys 75'), Cole, Weymans; Redford (Kait 53') Unused subs: Rodak, Elworthy "Arsenal started on the front foot and could have taken the lead inside the first few moments, but Stephy Mavididi headed over from Tafari Moore’s near post cross. Alex Iwobi had the next chance for the home side. After beating his man he delivered a low cross into the Fulham penalty area, but it was cleared away of danger. The hosts continued to dominate and their next chance fell to Mavididi, but his scuffed shot went wide of the near post after good work from Zelalem. It wasn't until the 19th minute that Fulham had their first chance. It fell to Josh Smile, but his low strike was straight at Matt Macey, who claimed at the second attempt. Mavididi had his second chance of the game on the half hour mark and if it wasn’t for a fantastic close range save from Jesse Joronen, Arsenal would have been ahead. The Gunners continued to have chances and they continued to be squandered, this time Jeff Reine-Adelaide the guilty man, cutting in from the left but firing just over from 18 yards out. Mavididi had the final chance of the half but he skewed wide after receiving the ball from Alex Iwobi as the sides went into the break on level terms. Larnell Cole attempted an outrageous lob straight from kick off only for his effort to sail just over the bar, immediately after kick-off in the second period. The hosts had their first real chance of the second half just three minutes into it but Joronen was once again on hand to deny them. This time he superbly tipped Reine Adelaide’s fizzing shot over - an effort that had been heading for the far corner. Ben Sheaf had the game's next chance but Joronen was in no mood to be beaten as he got a strong left hand to it, to tip it round the post for a corner. Arsenal substitute Yassin Fortune was then inches from giving the Gunners the lead but his left footed strike went wide with Joronen beaten. The Whites didn’t create another goal scoring opportunity until 10 minutes from time. It fell to Humphrys who headed wide with what was his first touch since coming on. Iwobi was next to try his luck but Joronen made his umpteenth save of the evening, getting two strong hands to the forwards near post shot. Arsenal finally broke the Whites' resistance five minutes from time. Zelalem did well to skip past a few tackles and find the far corner with a bouncing strike.”
Fulham 0 Wolves 3 (U21s) Pretty poor performance all round, except for Jordan Evans who put in a number of dangerous crosses. Generally we were disjointed, playing as individuals not as a team and in particular up front. The team was: Rodak; Sheckleford, Elworthy, Burgess, Evans; Smile, Hyndman; O'Halloran, Cole, Kait; Taggart (Redford 46') Unused subs: Dawber, Davies, Humphrys, Walker ”Wolves opened the scoring inside the first minute. The ball was played wide to Razak Boukari who cut inside and found Reid. The frontman did the rest from just inside the box as he fired low into the far corner with just 14 seconds on the clock. Fulham had Ryheem Sheckleford to thank for not being two behind as the defender twice blocked well from Boukari. But the chances continued to come for the visitors. Reid should have done better from Boukari’s cutback as Marek Rodàk saved well down to his right. Reid has his third effort of the game inside the first 15 minutes and he thought he’d doubled his side’s lead but Rodàk wonderfully saved his strike that was heading for the top corner. Midway through the first half the game had to be halted for five minutes as the lively Boukari had to be stretchered off with a serious looking knee injury, Connor Hunte replacing him. Wanderers doubled their advantage just before the break. Ronan controlled well and slotted under Rodàk after excellent work from Wallace down the right-hand side. The Whites had to wait until the hour mark for their first effort on target. It fell to Josh Smile and he produced a stunning volley from 30 yards, but Jonathan Flatt was equal to it and tipped over for a corner. Smile tried his luck just five minutes later and was unlucky not to get his side back in game. His long-range shot flew inches over the bar. Despite a good second-half spell from Fulham they were punished 10 minutes from time. Substitute Hunte did well down the left and cut the ball back for Wallace, who tapped home to give Wolves a 3-0 lead. Larnell Cole nearly grabbed a consolation for Fulham five minutes from time but again Flatt was there to deny the hosts with a stunning one-handed save.”
I see Taggart went off at half time. Was that because he looked poor, or possibly a sign that he might make the squad tomorrow against Huddersfield? What do you think, Cottager?
Post Script: Jordan Evans has been called up for the Wales U21 match against Luxemburg in a couple of weeks time.
Hard to say Captain. Don't think he was injured. Maybe saving himself for tomorrow ... 'cos he certainly didn't do much tonight!!
Stoke City 1 Fulham 2 (U21s) The lads are back on the beat with a Josh Walker double please log in to view this image and the bonus of wee Georgie Williams coming on for the last half hour. Pleased to see young Harrison Paton on the bench as well. The team was: Rodàk; Sheckleford, Pino Soler, Burgess, Evans; Hyndman, Edun; O'Halloran, de la Torre (Elworthy 89'), Kait; Walker (Williams 59') Unused subs: Dawber, Paton ”Stoke made an attacking start but goalkeeper but couldn’t find a way past Marek Rodák in the Fulham goal. Two powerful strikes from both Oliver Shenton and Peter Odemwingie in the opening 10 minutes forced impressive diving saves out of the Slovakian goalkeeper as the home side were quick out of the traps. Fulham’s first chance came in the 13th minute. Mattias Kait did well to craft some space on the right, though his teasing cross narrowly evaded the advancing Walker. But the Whites’ number nine had his chance just a minute later. Evans’ cross from the left caused confusion in the Stoke box and Josh Walker was the first to pounce. The forward latched onto the loose ball and confidently stroked home. It was an even first half with both sides showing a lot of attacking intent. Whilst the home side edged possession, Fulham’s attacking play always looked the most dangerous and the lead was doubled in the 39th minute as Evans and Walker were involved once more. An adventurous forward run from the left-back found him with space in the Potters box and he calmly turned to feed Dean O’Halloran. His excellent low ball was driven across goal to leave Josh Walker with a tap-in for his second of the match. Fulham’s double scorer made way in the 59th minute and was replaced by George Williams, who was returning after six months on the sidelines with a cruciate knee ligament injury. The Welsh winger looked sharp and it took him just eight minutes to make an impact. Cutting in from the left-hand side, he produced a thumping 20-yard effort to force a one-handed diving save from Dale Eve in the Stoke goal. The rebound was collected by Fulham, but the shot was blocked and danger cleared. Rodák remained relatively untroubled for most of the second half, but he did have to make a good save as the game approached the final 15 minutes. Dominic Telford’s 30-yard free-kick looked to be creeping into the bottom corner before the goalkeeper scrawled across to parry away. There was nothing he could do about Stoke’s goal, though. A testing cross from Joel Taylor found Telford, who fired home from close range in the 88th minute. That proved to be little more than a consolation for the hosts, however, as Fulham defended strongly to ensure their afternoon was not ruined. A deserved victory for Peter Grant’s men saw them leapfrog Stoke in the Barclays U21 Premier League Division Two table.”
He seems to dominate games at what ever level he plays, what upsets me is he has never been given a run. Cant blame him for wanting to leave, and I think where ever he goes he will be making his mark long after KS has finished his managerial career
Fulham 3 Blackburn 0 (U21s) A hard fought and in the end brilliant win by the lads. And we Georgie Williams getting first half game time. The team was: Rodàk; Sheckleford, Pino Soler, Burgess, Evans; Hyndman, Edun (Elworthy 81'); O'Halloran, de la Torre (Paton 87'), Kait; Williams (Walker 46') Unused sub: Norman ”After having one chalked off for offside in the sixth minute, Blackburn had the first sight at goal just two minutes later. After the Fulham defence dispossessed Modou Cham cutting in from the left, the ball fell invitingly for Willem Tomlinson. The midfielder’s shot, though, flew comfortably wide. Fulham came close in the 10th. A surging run from Kait carried him from the halfway line to the edge of Rovers’ box. A sharp exchange of passing left de la Torre with a shooting chance, but his 20-yard effort trickled wide of the post. It was midway through the opening half though that the first real gasp of excitement came. Jordan Evans whipped a vicious ball into Dean O’Halloran, who was enclosing on the six-yard box. The ball managed to evade goalkeeper Ryan Crump but unfortunately Fulham’s number seven too, O’Halloran failing to get the vital touch that was needed.Fulham came close twice in as many minutes shortly before the break. Firstly Kait put his header wide after Edun found him in space and that chance was quickly followed when de la Torre’s close-range prod was blocked by a last-ditch tackle in Blackburn’s box. George Williams got another 45 minutes as he continued his comeback from injury. He came in for Josh Walker in the only change to Fulham’s starting line-up from Saturday’s victory at Stoke. Williams looked fresh and made some powerful runs in a match where he looked to take up a central role wherever possible. The Welshman was replaced at half-time by Walker, who grabbed both the Whites’ goals just six days earlier, and he had an immediate impact. After a pacey run the 18-year old squared it well for de la Torre, but the American was again denied by the Blackburn defence. Kait came close once more from the resulting corner. It was an intense start to the second spell and Blackburn were not without their chances. Devarn Green tested Marek Rodák with a stinging shot after five minutes but it was Fulham who looked the most threatening. Walker and Evans were again looking a dangerous pair and almost combined on the hour mark. The left-back did brilliantly to shake off the challenges and hit the byline but Walker could not quite turn the ball goalwards with his header. Peter Grant’s men took the lead in the 63rd minute. After cutting in from the right, Tayo Edun’s strike deflected off Sam Lavelle to wrong-foot the goalkeeper and find its way in. It was a stroke of luck Fulham will feel they deserved after a persistent spell of pressure in a dominant opening to the second-half. Blackburn responded well to the goal and Lavelle almost made amends five minutes later. A free-kick from deep was flicked on and the centre-back was left in space just ten yards out. He could only put his volley over though and Fulham retained their advantage. Fulham were the more clinical side though and extended the lead in the 74th minute. Kait’s run left Ryheem Sheckleford with space on the right, and he drilled a low ball into the box. The delivery was met by Lucas de la Torre, who calmly tucked the ball into the near corner with the outside of his boot. The victory was sealed in the 89th minute when Evans’ high cross was met by Mattias Kait, who notched a deserved goal.”
Only a snippet but worth watching for the team work. Not sure Tayo Edun can legitimately claim the first goal though.
I have to agree, especially since it was Evans that struck it. Some decent build up play in those 3 goals.
Lol. Gullible that I am, I followed the 'Official' blurb. But, eagle eyed as ever, you are of course correct, it was indeed Jordan Evans. PS had to watch it a few times before realising that Evans was over on the right since he had just taken a corner.
Derby 3 Fulham 0 (U21s) Disappointing result for the lads, not least because of the number of first teamers in the starting line- up. There again, we’ve often seen in the past with the U21s, how disrupting a winning team set up can affect things adversely. The team was: Rodàk; Sheckleford, Pino Soler, Burgess, Garbutt (Evans 55'); Parker (Elworthy 55'), Edun; O'Halloran, Williams, Kait; Walker Unused subs: Dawber, de la Torre "Peter Grant named a strong team to face the Rams which featured numerous First Team players on the comeback from injury, including Luke Garbutt, Scott Parker and George Williams. Parker featured prominently early on, dictating the play from his holding midfield position and breaking up any Derby advances. The first chance of the match fell to Williams who was played through by Parker, however he failed to get the shot off after some good pressure from Jamie Hanson. The breakthrough came somewhat against the run of play. Mason Bennett beat Cameron Burgess for pace down the right flank and played a teasing ball into the box. Isak Ssewankambo met the cross with a fierce drive which cannoned off the post and straight into the path of an onrushing Calero, who fired home. Fulham came close to an equaliser on 39 minutes. A quick counter attack from the Whites saw Dean O’Halloran haring down the right wing. After a neat interchange with Mattias Kait the ball eventually fell at the feet of Williams, who put his shot straight at the Derby keeper Mitchell from 18 yards out. Having gained a foothold in the match, Williams was yet again involved after excellent build up play down the left from Tayo Edun. A fizzing ball across the six yard box was gathered by the Welshman but his shot was well blocked by an alert Mitchell in the Derby goal. As the temperature dropped there was no upturn in fortunes for a tepid Fulham outfit who struggled to get into the game. The hosts were unlucky not to have a penalty on 49 minutes when Burgess appeared to trip a surging Bennett. However, referee Anthony Tankard waved away the protests from the Derby players and coaching staff. In an attempt to shake things up, Grant made a double change 10 minutes into the second half with Parker and Garbutt replaced by Shane Elworthy and Jordan Evans respectively. The changes failed to turn the tide, though, and in the 65th minute Pearce stabbed home from six yards out following a lofted cross to double the Rams' lead. Things went from bad to worse for Fulham on 72 minutes. Derby substitute McDonald unleashed a fierce right footed strike from outside the box which flew past Marek Rodak and into the right hand corner. The match played out with Fulham failing to trouble Mitchell in the Derby goal. Stoic defending stifled the Whites who chased and harried to the bitter end.”
Ah well, might as well take the bad with the good. It's only the goals so doesn't necessarily reflect the game, but our defending is shocking for their first two goals. The third is a bit of a cracker though.
Fulham 0 Newcastle 2 (U21s) Another disappointing defeat; this time to two late goals and both with a familiar ring to them. That was Newcastle’s first win of the season. On the plus side Matt Smith played for an hour and Georgie Williams the full game. The team was: Rodák; Sheckleford (Davies 46'), Elworthy, Bodurov, Evans; O'Halloran (Walker 46'), Smile, Nabay, Williams; Redford, Smith (Humphrys 60') Unused sub: Dawber (GK) ”Captained by Dean O’Halloran, the Whites nearly fell behind in the opening minute when Toney went clear, but saw his shot tipped around the post by Rodák. The young goalkeeper again kept Fulham level in the third minute, saving well from Sean Longstaff, before Toney turned the rebound over the bar. In response, Williams put a free-kick narrowly wide of the post for Fulham in the fifth minute, before a Jordan Evans set-piece caused confusion in the Newcastle box, with Liam Gibson slicing a clearance over his own bar. Newcastle were looking better than their league position suggested and in the 13th minute, the woodwork came to Fulham’s rescue when Roberts cut inside from the left but saw his shot come back off the near post. Six minutes later, Bigirimana took aim from 25 yards and saw his shot drop narrowly wide of the far post. Fulham almost went in front just before the half-hour mark. Williams let fly from just outside the area, but his vicious right-footed shot crashed back off the post. At the other end, Nikolay Bodurov made a good tackle on Daniel Barlaser as the winger shaped to shoot, before what could have been a fruitful counter-attack by Fulham was ended by a cynical challenge by Jamie Sterry on Williams. Surprisingly, there was no booking for the Newcastle man. After Bodurov gave away a free-kick just outside the area in the 39th minute, Rodák made another fine save to claw away Toney's curling effort. The best chance of the half came for Fulham in the 42nd minute. Bodurov moved forward in possession and sent Redford clear with a great pass - but Pearson raced off his line to save the eventual shot with his legs. Fulham made a double change at the break, with Aron Davies replacing Ryheem Sheckleford and Josh Walker coming on for O’Halloran. Bodurov went into the book in the 49th minute for catching Toney from behind, before Shane Elworthy, who had switched to right-back following the introduction of Davies, almost got lucky with an attempted cross which looked to be going in until it was pushed away from under his bar by Pearson. Fulham made their final change on the hour mark as Smith made way for Humphrys. The youngster should have scored with his first touch as he raced onto Foday Nabay’s pass but saw his effort well saved by Pearson. Rodák then saved well when Toney looked poised to score and Gibson shot wide after meeting Barlaser’s delivery to the far post. Humphrys went into the book in the 79th minute for catching Barlaser from behind. And from the resulting free-kick, Peter Beardsley’s side went in front as Bigirimana curled his effort over the wall and in. Bigirimana went into the book for a foul on Williams in the 86th minute. Williams took the free-kick from 30 yards but saw his shot clip the wall and go behind. From the resulting corner, Newcastle made it 2-0 and game over as Toney broke clear and slid a shot beyond Rodák. Evans saw a late effort tipped behind by Pearson but the final whistle sounded to send Fulham to a second successive defeat."
I don't know if any 606s watched this game, but having watched possibly as many under 21 and academy matches as the first team, this is one of , if not the the worst, performance I have seen in many a season no cohesion whatsoever our appointed captain offered nothing in contribution or authority the full backs were abysmal no one had any idea on what to do. I must mention 2 players one out of favour and not picked and one who should never be picked HYNDMAN & BODUROV. I am getting quickly p....d off with the level of fitness ~ technical input and general management ability from RIGG downwards.
West Ham 0 Fulham 2 (U21s) Well played the lads, albeit against a struggling Hammers side, to get us back on a winning track. Sounds as though the defence bolstered by Shaun Hutchinson did especially well. The team was: Rodàk; Sheckleford, Hutchinson, Elworthy, Evans; Hyndman, Smile; O'Halloran, Kait (Adeniran 67'), Thorsteinsson (Humphrys 62'); Williams (Redford 80') Unused subs: Dawber, Pino Soler ”The hosts came close in the 11th minute when Marcus Browne won the ball 25 yards out. The number 10 found space and produced a powerful effort but it flew narrowly over Marek Rodák’s crossbar. A string of West Ham corners followed but were dealt with without trouble by the Fulham defence. O’Halloran, often playing in a more central role up front alongside George Williams, almost forced an opening for the Whites on the 25 minute mark. He was quick to close down Hammers defender Olatuniji Akinola as he got the ball caught under his feet in West Ham’s penalty box. O’Halloran won the ball but couldn’t manage to keep it in play as it rolled behind for a goal kick. Fulham’s striking pair were under instruction to press high up the pitch and a similar situation occurred just moments later. This time, both Williams and O’Halloran pressured Raphael Spiegel in the West Ham goal as he chased a back-pass that had been left short. O’Halloran won the ball once more but again it didn’t bounce for him and the danger was averted. Fulham grew into the contest as the first-half progressed and were ahead in the 34th minute. Some neat midfield play won the Whites a free-kick 30 yards from goal in a position that looked inviting for a right-footed strike. Jordan Evans had other ideas. The left-footer stepped up to curl a stunning free-kick goalward, dipping at the last moment to leave the West Ham goalkeeper helpless. The hosts almost responded immediately after Josh Cullen and Lewis Page combined well. Page found Browne but the striker could not convert a tricky chance. But the score should have been level three minutes later as Page again found space on the left and teed up Grady Diangana perfectly. The winger, a late replacement in the starting XI for Jaanai Gordon, failed to make a clean contact from just five yards out and Fulham cleared. The Whites had to fend off a claret and blue salvo as half-time approached but the organised defence stood firm to maintain Fulham’s lead entering the break. That resilience was rewarded, as seven minutes into the second half Peter Grant’s side doubled their lead. After the Whites broke away in a speedy counter attack, Dean O’Halloran managed to beat the offside trap and was left in acres of space in the West Ham penalty box. The Irishman still had a lot of work to do though and did excellently to calmly tuck the ball into the bottom right-hand corner from a narrowing angle. The hosts made a triple substitution just after the hour but it was top scorer Martin Samuelson that continued to provide the main threat. The towering Norwegian number nine’s quick feet proved a handful for Shaun Hutchinson and Shane Elworthy, and they did well to stifle him of any clear cut chances. Fulham went close to a third in the 72nd minute. Ryheem Sheckleford intercepted a cross-field pass and surged forward from right-back before finding Williams in space on the left. Approaching the box, the Welshman searched for the same corner his strike partner had found earlier, but pulled his shot wide. The Hammers had their best chance of the night in the 86th minute as frontman Samuelson split the Fulham defence to work a one-on-one. His shot, though, was rushed and sailed comfortable wide of the post. Substitute Stephen Humphrys had a similar chance for Fulham as added time approached, but could also only send his effort sailing over. That miss proved to only be trivial though as the Whites closed out the game to record a pleasing win on a brisk night in East London.”
