Fulham continued their 100% league record with a hard fought 1-0 win at Motspur Park. Having performed so brilliantly in their previous three fixtures, all eyes were on the Under-18s as they took on a well-organised Cardiff City side. Only a couple of weeks earlier the Welsh capital side had defeated Manchester United’s Under-18s 5-1, so it was obvious the size of task that faced Gary Brazil’s side.
In a tentative opening 30 minutes, neither side really took control of the game. There were opportunities to take the lead at both ends but they were squandered. For the Whites, Lewis Smith headed wide from a Matt Saunders corner, but as the half wore on, Fulham became more authoritative, both in terms of possession and also attacking intent.
This reaped its rewards when an excellent break down the left-flank saw Joe Anderson carry the ball out of defence. He played a neat one-two with Max Noble before powering down the line and delivering a swinging cross which Michael Uwezu met on the volley, side-footing past the Cardiff keeper to convert a beautifully well-worked move by Fulham.
The goal seemed to fill the home side with confidence and after the break the Whites went in search of a second. Five minutes in and if it wasn’t for two good saves from Herring in the Cardiff goal then either Lewis Smith or Max Noble could have given Fulham a two-goal cushion.
Throughout the game Uwezu worked tirelessly to chase balls down, put defenders under pressure and hold up play. On one such occasion he controlled a long ball before laying it off to Jordan Wilson, but the right midfielder’s shot went well over the bar.
Kai Bichard replaced Wilson with 20 minutes to go and will have been disappointed that a lack of communication between himself and Uwezu denied Fulham a gilt-edged chance. With both strikers clear of the Cardiff defence, they simultaneously attempted to strike a bouncing ball and only succeeded in putting it over the bar.
Despite Fulham creating more of the chances in the second period, as long as the score remained at just 1-0 there were signs that Cardiff might nick something from the game. However, a resolute performance from Ashley Thompson and Matthew Briggs ensured that any obvious threats were snuffed out.
Fulham: Etheridge; Cumber, Thompson, Briggs, Anderson; Wilson (Bichard 70), Saunders, Moscatiello (Jackson 80), Noble; Smith, Uwezu