Fulham’s Reserves lost their opening match of the Barclays Premier Reserve League on Tuesday evening, with Wigan coming from behind to take three points at Motspur Park.
Fulham wasted little time in taking the lead when Alex Kacaniklic gave the Whites an early advantage, smashing a right-footed effort past Lee Nicholls after just two minutes.
Unfortunately the Whites’ lead was short-lived; Steven Boothman was adjudged to have been brought down in the Fulham penalty area and Danny Redmond stepped up to send Csaba Somogyi the wrong way.
Kacaniklic looked the most likely threat for the Whites and on 10 minutes he beat his man to the by-line to deliver a teasing cross for Lauri Dalla Valle, who was unable to find the target with his header. That was as good as it got for the Whites in the first-half
With both sides struggling to maintain possession, any goal bound efforts were few and far between. Nouha Dicko drew a smart stop from Somogyi before Wigan scored their second of the evening on 33 minutes through Jordan Rugg. The striker produced a pinpoint finish from the edge of the area to squeeze the ball past the outstretched hand of Somogyi and inside the far post.
Rugg pressured Joshua Passley into netting an own-goal 40 minutes when he tangled with the Fulham defender on the edge of the Whites’ six yard box after a dangerous low cross was fired in from the left flank. With both players sliding in for the ball, Passley was unfortunate enough to get the final touch.
Billy McKinlay reshuffled his side for the second-half to good effect with Marcello Trotta moving to the left wing and Alex Kacaniklic switching to the right flank – Kerim Frei joined Lauri Dalla Valle in attack.
Certainly the Whites looked a more potent force going forward, but with Wigan protecting a two-goal advantage, the visitors were able to commit additional resources to their defensive efforts.
The Whites made a double substitution on 65 minutes with Cauley Woodrow and Courtney Harris replacing Marcello Trotta and Jack Dean respectively. The final change of the game for Fulham saw Mahrez Bettache take the place of Lauri Dalla Valle on 77 minutes.
But despite the changes and a strong finish, Fulham were unable to craft any further opportunities before the referee blew for full-time.
Fulham Res: Somogyi; Dean (Harris 65), Passley, Arthurworrey, Smith; Frei, Brister, Pritchard, Kacaniklic; Trotta (Woodrow 65), Dalla Valle (Bettache 77)
Subs not used: Bettinelli, Toure