Fulham Under-23s came from behind to beat Southend United 3-1 in their opening Premier League Cup match.
Despite being behind at the break, second half goals from Sonny Hilton, Ollie O'Neill and Charlie Robinson secured a deserved three points.
Our starting eleven featured five changes from the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa. With a number of players away on international duty, Under-18s Harvey Araujo, Olly Sanderson, Devan Tanton and Imani lanquedoc stepped up for some cup action.
Fellow 18s Jaylan Wildbore, Tyler Caton, Charlie Robinson and Delano McCoy-Splatt were named amongst the substitutes.
Neither side enjoyed any prolonged periods of possession in the opening 10 minutes, with the game starting off a little scrappily.
Then, the hosts had a penalty shout after a tumble in the box, but the referee was quick to wave away the appeals.
Southend found themselves in a good position just a few minutes later, after some sloppy passing saw possession overturned. Matthew Rush looked to shoot but two solid tackles from Idris Odutayo saw the danger cleared.
The home team continued to push for an opener, with Taye Ashby-Hammond making an excellent diving save to block Tommy Davis’ header. O’Shane Stewart’s effort from the resulting corner bounced just wide.
Our first real opportunity fell to Sonny Hilton, who threatened the opposition goal after a defender mis-controlled at the back. After sprinting down the right-hand side, his shot was slightly scuffed and rolled wide of the far post.
Southend eventually took the lead thanks to an incredible strike by Stewart. After a free kick was cleared, the number four fired a volley from long range into the corner of the net. The odds were against Ashby-Hammond.
The young Whites showed a good initial response, with Tanton testing goalkeeper Colin Andeng-Ndi from a tight angle. His shot had power but was fairly comfortably dealt with.
After a difficult half for our 23s, Southend went into the break ahead.
After an uneventful start to the second period, Hilton got us back level on the 50-minute mark. Our attacker took aim from the right and watched as his powerful strike took a slight deflection before nestling into the bottom left corner.
The goal gave the boys confidence and they began to take a hold of the game. Hilton used a clever back heel to find the overlapping Kieron Bowie, but his low cross was cleared before it could find any men in white.
Our opposition still looked dangerous going forward. On the hour mark, Louis Walsh found his way past Tanton but saw his cross cleared.
Then, up the other end, Hilton missed the chance to make it two after being played through on goal. He got an effort off, but it was blocked by a combination of defenders.
The home ‘keeper was tested twice after, first blocking a powerful O’Neill shot from the left before sprawling to his right to palm away a Luke Harris effort on goal.
The pressure eventually told and O’Neill fired home to put us ahead for the first time in the game. Captain Connor McAvoy broke through the midfield with an excellent pass to Hilton, who turned before sliding the Irishman through on goal. He made no mistake, tucking the ball under the legs of the goalkeeper.
Our control continued, with Hilton being played through on goal again straight after. Unfortunately, his shot was straight at Andeng-Ndi.
Substitute Robinson put the game to bed on 85 minutes, rising highest to nod home from an O'Neill cross.
Team Lineup:
T. Ashby-Hammond, Tanton, McAvoy, Odutayo, Araujo; Harris, Lanquedoc; Hilton, Sanderson, Bowie, O'Neill
Subs:
Las, Robinson, Caton, McCoy-Splatt, Wildbore