Fulham Under-23s grabbed their first point in four games, drawing 2-2 with Newcastle United on Friday.
Jean-Pierre Tiehi and Sylvester Jasper put us ahead twice but the visitors did well to find a response on both occasions.
We started on the front foot and Tiehi nearly opened the scoring early on, when his powerful header from an Adrion Pajaziti corner floated just wide.
The pressure continued, this time centre-back Connor McAvoy drilled the ball across the face of goal after another Pajaziti delivery, but Tiehi couldn’t quite reach it.
Jasper forced the first save of the game on the 10-minute mark, with Will Brown tipping over his effort from the left-hand side.
Sonny Hilton had an opportunity on 21 minutes, taking the ball around the goalkeeper before hitting the side netting with his shot. His touch took him wider than he would have liked, leaving him with a difficult task.
Tiehi put our 23s in front in the 26th minute, directing an excellent header into the far corner. The precision left the ‘keeper with no chance.
The feeling of being ahead lasted just seconds, with Thomas Allen grabbing an equaliser almost instantly for the visitors. The number nine was in a good position to prod home and level the scoring.
Jasper added a second for his side just before the break, tapping in after Hilton’s initial effort was saved.
The second half started slowly, with neither side able to string together any real opportunities. Jasper’s long range free-kick was comfortably caught by Brown on 58 minutes.
Newcastle’s Owen Bailey headed just wide after connecting with a curling Jack Young corner.
Moments later Ziyad Larkeche did the same, latching onto a Tyrese Francois free-kick before forcing his header wide. The left-back was under pressure from two defenders, who made it difficult for him.
The away side got themselves back level for a second time on 67 minutes. Allan grabbed his second of the game, toe-punting his effort in from a tight angle.
The Magpies’ Stan Flaherty found himself through on goal with just over 10 minutes to play, but his left-footed effort crashed against the side netting. A let-off for the young Whites, who could do nothing but watch.
Jasper came close to scoring a goal of the season contender, taking on three defenders before curling a cheeky rabona just wide.
Fulham pressed for a late winner but were made to settle for a hard-fought point.
Team Lineup:
Adams, Larkeche, Kongolo, McAvoy, Murphy; Francois, Page (Harris 45’), Pajaziti, Hilton (Duru 89’) ; Tiehi, Jasper
Subs:
Borto, J.Aina, Duru, Mundle-Smith, Harris
