With Birmingham City having enjoyed a good start to their season, the Whites’ trip up to the Midlands was never going to be easy, but another performance full of maturity from Gary Brazil’s side saw Fulham return to the Capital with their 100% record still firmly intact after a 2-0 victory.
With both sides sitting at the top of their respective leagues, both sets of players were showing each other a great deal of respect as the game got underway. As a result the tempo was slow; some attacks were created, but both defences remained resolute. Once again an unchanged Fulham back line was looking imperious and with Neil Etheridge commanding them from his goal, it was difficult to see where goals were going to come from for the hosts.
As the half progressed, and the with the scores still level, Birmingham seemed to grow in confidence. Their attacking pair seemed to get more of the ball and were able to run at the Whites defence, however Brazil’s men stood firm and the score at half-time remained 0-0.
Into the second period Fulham moved up a gear, absorbing the Birmingham attacks, but also counter-attacking with drive and penetration of their own. The speed of Jordan Wilson was causing problems for City down the left flank and Lewis Smith and Michael Uwezu both had good chances well saved by the Birmingham custodian. Although denied, the chances were coming and the threat growing.
As the game wore on Birmingham seemed to tire and it looked as though the Whites had made the breakthrough. However, Uwezu’s goal was chalked off for a questionable offside decision.
Undeterred by this bad fortune, the Whites went again and got the goal they deserved soon after. A neat ball set Uwezu free of the Birmingham defence and, through one-on-one, he calmly slotted the ball low, giving the keeper no chance.
Not content with a slim 1-0, Fulham went in search of another while keeping things organised and tight at the back. Having replaced Jordan Wilson, Kai Bichard made an almost instant impact as he got the Whites’ second and secured another impressive away win. Bichard raced onto a through-ball from Smith and, with the keeper closing the angle, the substitute dinked the ball over him.
Speaking after the game Fulham’s Head of Youth, John Murtough expressed his delight at the level of maturity shown by the young side. “All credit to Gary and the boys. We came under quite a lot of pressure, especially towards the end of the first-half,” he said. “But they stuck together and once again our defensive unit, the back four and keeper played ever so well.
“I was pleased with the chances we created during the game and the resolve of the boys. Despite having that goal chalked off they remained determined to get the goals, which eventually, of course, they did. It’s been a great start and Gary and the rest of his staff deserve so much credit.”
Fulham: Etheridge; Cumber (Brown 85), Thompson, Briggs, Anderson; Cameron (Laribi 60), Saunders, Jackson, Wilson (Bichard 80); Smith, Uwezu