A strong Fulham Reserve side secured a draw against Reading’s second string at the Madejski Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Whites’ line-up was bolstered with the likes of Jan Lastuvka, Moritz Volz, Zat Knight, Franck Queudrue, Mark Pembridge, Claus Jensen, Collins John and Vincenzo Montella. However, it was the impressive Adam Watts who caught the eye with a composed performance in the centre of defence.
The first chance of the encounter fell to Fulham when, after just five minutes, Mark Pembridge played a pass over the top of Reading’s defence for Montella. The Italian striker attempted a first time finish but the ball flew inches wide of Adam Federici's far post.
The hosts hit back two minutes later when a fine cross evaded two Fulham defenders, allowing Simon Cox an opportunity in front of goal. Fortunately for the Whites, the shot flew over the bar.
Fulham won a corner following good approach play from Jensen, John and Montella on 12 minutes. From the resulting set piece, Queudrue directed a header across the face of goal.
Fulham were let off the hook in the 25th minute when Oliver Bozanic shot narrowly wide of Lastuvka’s left hand post, having escaped the attentions of both Volz and Knight.
Following a good Queudrue chance early in the second half, Fulham began to assert their authority on the match. Montella tested Federici on 55 minutes with a low drive which the Reading stopper did well to push away.
But a minute later Reading were in front after Queudrue brought Henry down, earning the home side a penalty. Cox stepped up and sent Lastuvka the wrong way. Reading could have doubled their lead soon after when a deflected cross was turned against his own crossbar by Queudrue.
Fulham stepped up a gear and netted a deserved equaliser on 67 minutes when Claus Jensen’s free kick was headed into his own net by Adam Bygrave.
As the action drew to a close, Lastuvka was forced into making a fine save at his near post on 84 minutes to deny Simon Church.
Fulham: Lastuvka; Volz, Knight, Watts, Queudrue; W Brown, Pembridge (Ehui 70), Collins, Jensen; Montella (Hudson-Odoi 74), John
