Fulham Under-18s got the better of Queens Park Rangers in their penultimate pre-season match, leaving with a 4-0 victory on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Jaylan Wildbore, Michael Olakigbe and a Terrell Works brace made it a good day at the office for our youngsters.
We named a side which included five of our new scholars, who will be hoping to play a major part in the upcoming season.
Olakigbe had the first chance of the game, when his curling left-footed effort was parried wide.
The young Whites were forced to soak up some pressure, but created another gilt edged chance nine minutes in. After making a powerful run down the left, Wildbore opened up his body and watched as his low effort was blocked from close range.
Minutes later, Works had an effort from point blank range blocked by a defender. Steve Wigley’s side were beginning to turn the screw as the first half progressed.
Olakigbe was finding some success down the right and beat his man again before squaring the ball to Wildbore. The forward was in a good position but couldn’t get clean contact.
After a quiet spell, Wildbore again tested the opposition ‘keeper, this time firing one towards goal from the edge of the box. His attempt was matched and palmed over the crossbar.
Fulham’s biggest chance came six minutes before the break and again, Olakigbe was at the centre of it. Our winger used his pace before pulling the ball back to Devan Tanton, who had a free shot in the centre of the box. He got a little too much power on his effort, which flew over.
We created the majority of the chances, but the two sides went in level at half-time.
Our first attempt on goal after the break came from Wildbore, whose powerful strike from a tight angle was pushed out for a corner.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 55th minute courtesy of Wildbore. Substitute Lemar Gordon found Olakigbe, whose saved effort fell into the path of our number seven and he made no mistake.
The hosts were given an opportunity when their number nine caught out Thorsteinn Antonsson before sprinting towards goal. He was forced wide by Caelan Avenall, who did well to catch up with him and clear the danger.
The young Whites doubled their lead on 74 minutes, with Olakigbe grabbing the goal he deserved after a bright display. Delano McCoy-Splatt played an excellent through-ball to the forward who, in equally impressive style, tucked his effort into the far corner from a tight angle.
Works made it three soon after, linking up with McCoy-Splatt before finishing calmly. The winger was on hand again with four minutes to play to score his second of the game. His attempt took a fortunate deflection before bouncing over the goalkeeper.
Team Lineup:
Allen (McNally 26’); Tanton, Avenall, Antonsson, Parkes (Quarm 60’); Okkas (Robinson 55’), McCoy-Splatt, Parker; Olakigbe, Works (Gordon 45’), Wildbore (Loupalo-Bi 60’)
Subs:
McNally, Robinson, Gordon, Loupalo-Bi, Gofford, Quarm
