Academy football is a series of tests in the development of young footballers. Gary Brazil has always stressed that an important trait of his sides is how they respond after defeat, and against one of the more successful clubs in the Academy system this season, Fulham showed that the Norwich result was behind them as they beat Leicester with a fantastic performance, despite strong and physical opponents.
It was a very youthful side that once again took the field for the Whites, and there was a noticeable difference in size between the two sets of players, but at no stage did Fulham seem daunted by the task they faced. A truly intriguing battle saw the match to and fro, as both sides tried to gain the upper hand, and although it remained 0-0 at half-time, you sensed both teams were confident of getting goals.
As it turned out though, it was just a single goal that decided the game, and it came in Fulham’s favour, courtesy of Michael Uwezu. A prolonged period of keep-ball from Fulham resulted in an incisive pass being played behind Leicester’s backline. Uwezu latched onto it and drove towards goal. With the keeper still to beat, he shaped to put the ball one way, before whipping it into the opposite corner; a very composed finish from the youngster and an excellent result for the Whites.
Looking back on his side’s victory at Leicester, Under-18s Coach Gary Brazil was delighted with the performance from his side. “It was fantastic today,” he enthused. “We have played a lot of talented sides this season and beaten them and again today we played our own way against a very successful side and thoroughly deserved the win.
“City’s style of play is very direct, they have big strong strikers who they try to get the ball to early and they pose a threat in that respect,” he explained. “I think the lads stood up to that physical battle, whilst at the same time imposing our style of play on the game as well.”
Fulham: Etheridge; Cumber (Harris 70), Brown, Briggs, Anderson; Wilson (Bichard 80), Jackson, Laribi, A. Smith; L. Smith, Uwezu