Video highlights of the goals. All very simple really but take a look at the shape of the team, especially going forward for the first goal. The 1st team could learn something from this group of youngsters.
Blackburn 2 Fulham 0 (18s) The team was: Soutter; Dolan, Elworthy, Davies, Sessegnon; Shamsi, Smile, Nabay, Paton; Walker, Humphrys ”The Whites made a poor start to proceedings and found themselves one down with less than 10 minutes played when they failed to clear their lines, and were duly punished when a cross was swept home. Australian goalkeeper Jake Soutter – who was making his debut after receiving international clearance – then made a good low save to keep out a header following a free-kick, before Foday Nabay nodded over at the other end. Fulham were beginning to grow into the game and saw half chances come and go as Ravi Shamsi and Harrison Paton had shots blocked. Soutter was then called into action early in the second half and a Stephen Humphrys free-kick hit the wall as both teams went in search of the crucial next goal. The Whites then managed to get on top of proceedings but were dealt a sucker punch when a long ball forward was converted for 2-0. The goal deflated the Whites but they went close to getting a consolation when Josh Smile crossed for Josh Walker, who perhaps should have done better.”
Video highlights of Rovers’ goals. Like the shape of our youngsters, despite slack defending for the goals; although in fairness their second is really well taken.
Stoke 2 Fulham 2 (U18s) Good away point against the Potters who have hit a bit of form recently (beat the Arsenal last week). The team was: Soutter, Sheckleford, Davies, Elworthy, Edun (Adebayo 59), Walker, Nabay, Smile, Shamsi (Dolan 61), De La Torre, Redford (Sessegnon 59) ”Luca De La Torre put the Whites in front in the 12th minute with a good finish and Aaron Redford should have doubled the advantage soon after but his shot from Josh Walker’s cross was saved. Having dominated the first 45 minutes - with De La Torre in fine form - the Whites began the second half slowly, although Josh Walker could have scored on a Fulham counter. The hosts made it 1-1 in the 51st minute when Redford lost his man at a corner but Fulham were back in front soon after when Tayo Edun’s shot was parried and Luca De La Torre calmly slotted in the rebound. Stoke, though, refused to lie down and again levelled with a long-range effort that flew into the top corner in the 67th minute. De La Torre was denied a hat-trick when he saw a shot saved after good work by substitute Elijah Adebayo and the final whistle blew as honours finished even.”
Fulham 1 Newcastle 1 (U18s) No team details and only a very brief report from the Club: ”The Whites took control of play in the early stages of the game, with de la Torre threatening. The striker then made the most of a goalkeeping error when Woolston mishandled a tame shot from Smile, and Luca de la Torre was there to tap the ball in on the 19th minute. However Jamie Holmes equalised for Newcastle U18s just five minutes into the second half with a simple give and go on the edge of the box which was then slotted into the bottom corner. With windy conditions affecting play, neither team were able to find the winner, with Marek Rodak making a great save in the final minutes as Newcastle went close with a header.” I’m guessing it was a really young team that we put out - given that a fair few have recently been pushed into the U21s. So a credible draw and one that puts us slap bang in the middle of the table (of eight) with 5pts from 4 games.
Video highlights of the goals - just as brief as the match report but if you're quick you'll catch a good one by Luca de la Torre - https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FbGP7xRBUKc
Fulham 2 Bolton 2 (U18s) Good result for the youngsters, coming back from behind twice. The team was: Norman; Elworthy, Adebayo, Davies, Sessegnon; Shamsi, Dolan, de la Torre, Thomas; Redford, Humphrys Subs: Nabay, Soutter, Harris, Sessegnon “Redford pulled a shot wide early on but it was the Trotters who netted first. Elijah Adebayo lost possession and a cross from the left was turned in from six yards. The Whites were level in under 10 minutes, though, when Aaron Redford was brought down in the box by the Wanderers goalkeeper who was booked for the foul. The Fulham striker dusted himself down to smash the spot-kick into the top of the net. Stephen Humphrys almost put Fulham in front but saw his looping header hit the crossbar, while Luca de la Torre was put through after the restart but couldn’t make it count. Bolton then restored their lead with a counter attack that resulted in a shot from the left that went in via the post. The hosts looked for a quick response and went close through de la Torre and Redford, and eventually did get a deserved equaliser late on in a similar situation to their first. Aaron Redford was felled in the box but got up to take the penalty himself, making no mistake to cap an excellent individual display.”
Still no report from the Club. They have however posted a video of the goals. Looks like a ’bad day at the office’ for the lads, but don’t see that as a reason not to also provide some detail.
Fulham 5 Arsenal 1 (U18s) Great win for the youngsters in their final game of the season. The team was: Norman; Elworthy, Adebayo, Davis, Sessegnon; Paton, Nabay, de la Torre, Shamsi; Redford, Pearce Subs: Lukwata, Thomas, Dolan and Sessegnon "Arsenal opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a fluke goal. Norman’s pass across the box was unlucky to hit a striker, deflecting off his shin and rolling into the bottom corner. However the Whites were quick to respond, equalising just one minute later with a free kick, Ravin Shamsi curling the ball into top corner for a wonder goal, and then doubling their lead just before half time. Redford was brought down in the box, and missed the second penalty of the afternoon, but Isaac Pearce was there to tap it in. The Whites then found three more in the second half, Aaron Redford cooly slotting in the third, Luca de la Torre tapping in the ball from a defensive mix-up for the fourth and an own goal from Arsenal 's Marc Bola in the closing stages of the game for the final 5-1 victory.”
