Last weekend the youth team travelled to Fulham and were very unlucky not to come away with all three points as our hosts scored a last-minute equaliser to deny us a win.
With injuries to a number of regulars including goalkeeper Jed Steer, we were forced to make a few changes to our usual starting eleven. Goalkeeper Remi Matthews was brought in to replace Jed and he was joined in the starting line up by fellow under-16 Sam Kelly with Jamar Loza, Michael Clunan and Theo Jones all making the substitutes bench.
Both teams started the game brightly with some nice open flowing football on show from both sides.
On 21 minutes we took the lead. Matt Ball did well to gain possession in midfield and progressed in the heart of the Fulham penalty area, he then spread the ball wide to Ryan Oakley who crossed to the far post where right winger Tyree Clarke was on hand to score from close range.
A few minutes later Fulham had a good chance to level the scores, a shot from the Fulham forward was struck very well and Remi Matthews produced an excellent save to turn the ball over the crossbar.
The remainder of the half was closely contested with both sides creating further chances to score, but there were no more goals and we ended the half one goal ahead.
Fulham increased their intensity in the second period as they looked to get back in the game, but we were looking comfortable and were threatening on the break. However, Fulham forced a corner with around 20 minutes remaining, the kick was taken short, which caught the lads by surprise and a glancing header brought the home side level.
We responded very well and on 78 minutes regained the lead as Danny Kelly broke free from the Fulham defence and fired a right foot shot from outside the area beyond the Fulham goalkeeper.
In the third minute of stoppage time Fulham's forward showed good pace and strength and burst into our area, he angled his shot across Remi Matthews and into the bottom corner of our goal to draw the game level at 2-2.
There was still time for us to win the game with chances for Tyree Clarke and Jamar Loza in the final seconds, though we were unable to convert either chance and the game finished in a draw.
Ricky Martin
Academy Manager
