Fulham U23 3-0 West Brom U23

Fulham Under-23s made it six points from six on Friday evening, with a comfortable 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at Motspur Park.

A Terry Ablade brace and Sonny Hilton goal ensured an excellent victory.

There were just two changes to the side that clinched victory at the Stadium of Light, with Luca Ashby-Hammond replacing his brother Taye in goal and Cyrus Christie coming in for defender Idris Odutayo.

The first half-chance involved Sonny Hilton, who found some space down the right a few minutes in after an excellent sweeping pass from Jonathon Page. After being fouled by the defender, the resulting free-kick was headed clear.

The young Whites opened the scoring 11 minutes in through Terry Ablade, who calmly took the ball around goalkeeper Alex Palmer before slotting it into the back of the net. Credit must also go to Luke Harris, who found the attacker with a wonderfully weighted through-ball.

Veteran Robert Snodgrass swung in from a free-kick on 17 minutes but, after a bit of pinball in the box, Ashby-Hammond came out to claim.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman tried his luck five minutes later for the visitors, but his effort floated wide. Snodgrass came closer seconds after, with his left-footed volley deflected out for a corner.

Ashby-Hammond was called into action again, blocking Jovan Malcolm’s effort at the near post.

Fulham’s second goal of the game came in almost identical fashion. Harris played another great ball through and once again, like clockwork, Ablade rolled the ball past the ‘keeper before sliding it home.

The young Baggies came close to pulling one back soon after but were denied thanks to an excellent defensive header from Christie. The ball was going in if it wasn’t for the clearance.

Hilton added a third on the brink of half-time with a cracking finish, smashing his shot past the goalkeeper after latching onto a superb ball over the top by Christie.

Fulham went in at the break with a three-goal cushion after a solid first half display.

Ablade was given a chance to use his pace 53 minutes in after being released down the left-hand side. He reached the ball before the onrushing goalkeeper, but could only direct it out for a goal kick.

After an uneventful 15 minutes, West Brom substitute Rico Richards had a good opportunity to pull one back for his side. The ball fell nicely for him in front of goal, but his attempt dribbled just wide of the far post.

On 74 minutes, Owen Windsor drilled a low effort just wide from range before Ziyad Larkeche had a decent low cross blocked by a defender at full stretch. It looked to be heading straight for substitute Kieron Bowie.

Bowie looked bright after coming on and played in Larkeche down the left, but the Frenchman’s shot was sliced wide. Great football from our youngsters.

The Scot nearly got his goal five minutes before the end. After taking the ball around the goalkeeper, Bowie could only find the side-netting.

Ablade could have secured his hat-trick late on. The West Brom 'keeper was caught on the ball but one of his defenders came to his rescue, blocking the resulting shot. Excellent defending as it looked sure to be a fourth.

The full-time whistle followed, meaning Fulham are now joint-top with Aston Villa.