Fulham Under-17s secured their first three points in the Premier League Cup, with a resounding 6-2 win at Reading.
The goals came in emphatic fashion, with Kieron Bowie, Jaylan Wildbore, Imani Lanquedoc, Michael Olakigbe and Matt Dibley-Dias all on the scoresheet.
The young Whites made a fast start and were rewarded just six minutes in, and the opener came in some style. Lanquedoc took aim from range before firing his effort into the top right corner. A fantastic finish after a positive start.
Xavier Benjamin came mightily close to making it two just a few minutes later. As a corner was swung in, the commanding centre-back found himself free before heading just wide. The goalkeeper was rooted to the spot.
Striker Bowie put us two in front on 16 minutes with a fantastic headed effort. A long pass found the Scotsman whose header beat the ‘keeper and floated into the top corner. The hosts were left with a mountain to climb.
Our Under-17s were looking lethal and Bowie nearly added a third after a flowing counter attack. Olakigbe stole the ball in midfield before bursting forward and releasing Bowie down the left. He tried to catch goalkeeper Matthew Rowley out at the near post but the stopper got down quickly to block.
The hosts threatened in the 27th minute, with winger David Nyarko using his quick feet to dribble beyond Caelan Avenall. His cross bounced around before eventually being cleared.
The Royals went on to win a penalty seconds later, with Antonsson bringing down the attacker. Mac Chisholm came to the rescue for his side, though, diving to his right to deny Alfie Anderson.
Reading were made to pay for their missed spot-kick, with Olakigbe adding a third on the half-hour mark. His strike from range was drilled low and into the far corner to give the young Whites a comfortable lead.
That comfort lasted a matter of minutes, with the home side grabbing one back. A low cross was drilled in and Reading’s Anderson was on-hand to tap in at the back post.
But Fulham showed their mental strength to make it 4-1 almost instantly. Wildbore moved down the right before playing a simple square pass to Bowie who smashed the ball in for his second of the game.
The tie was put to bed soon after the restart, with Wildbore calmly slotting home from close range at the back-post.
Dibley-Dias added a sixth with a beautiful goal. His curling free-kick from range was nearly denied by the goalkeeper but bounced off the woodwork and rolled slowly over the line.
Reading grabbed one back late on from the penalty spot courtesy of Anderson.
Next Up:
Fulham’s final group match will see them face West London rivals Chelsea, with the date and time yet to be announced. Today's result means we can still qualify for the knockout stages, if the other fixture between Southampton and Reading goes our way.
Team Lineup:
Chisholm; Avenall, Benjamin, Antonsson, Odutayo; Lanquedoc, Caton, Okkas; Wildbore, Olakigbe, Bowie
Subs:
Nicholas-Davis, Parkes, Dibley-Dias, Gee