Fulham's Reserve Team is back in action on Tuesday evening when they take on Birmingham City at Motspur Park (kick-off 7pm).
Two weeks ago Billy McKinlay's side beat Stoke City 2-0, which brought the team's unbeaten run to six games. The result also pushed the Whites up to third in the table (now fourth following Chelsea’s win last week), although they still sit some seven points behind second-placed Arsenal. Leaders Aston Villa are currently chasing their third successive title and enhanced their chances further with a 4-0 win over Birmingham last Wednesday.
Impressing for Fulham against Stoke was Christopher Buchtmann, who scored his first goal for the club since signing from Liverpool in the January transfer window. The three points were secured with five minutes remaining, with a Danny Hoesen goal. The game also marked a comeback from injury for Paul Konchesky.
Making his reserve debut against Stoke was central defender Cheick Touré who appeared unflustered throughout, despite having to face former Reading striker Dave Kitson and the Potters’ leading reserve marksman Louis Moult. Touré formed a sound central defensive partnership with fellow U18 youngster Aaron Pierre.
It is another Midland opposition tonight, in the shape of Birmingham City. We met the Blues at Damson Park back in September in a game that finished 1-1 with a late Eddie Johnson equaliser cancelling out Gary McSheffrey’s goal.
When the sides last met at Motspur Park back in March 2008, the Blues went ahead through Gary O’Connor, before Fulham seized the initiative thanks to strikes from David Healy and Erik Nevland. Just as we looked set to take all three points up popped Dutchman Daniel De Ridder with a late leveller.
Birmingham returned to the Premier Reserve League this season after a year out of the top-flight. The opening two games saw them defeated 4-0 at home by Arsenal and then hit for six without reply at West Ham.
Still looking for their first win after losing 2-0 at Wolves, the Blues appointed Malky Thompson as reserve team manager. The transformation was immediate as, in a programme disrupted by the bad weather, the Blues reeled off three consecutive wins. After defeating Chelsea 2-1 at Griffin Park, West Ham were beaten by the same score at Damson Park and Stoke then succumbed to a single goal defeat.
On target in all three games was young striker Jake Jervis, now leading marksman with three goals. It has been a good year for the academy graduate who made his first senior substitute appearance in the FA Cup win at Everton.