Stoke U18 3-1 Fulham U18

A very youthful Fulham Under-18s side put in a battling display on Saturday, but fell to a 3-1 defeat against Stoke City in the Premier League Cup.

The result means Fulham remain on zero points in their group, but our youngsters still have Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur to play.

The cup tie presented the Fulham coaches with an opportunity to test some of our younger Academy boys, with just three regular Under-18s featuring at Clayton Wood.

Murphy Parker and Alfie McNally were given a start, with Tyler Caton wearing the captain’s armband.

The young Whites made a bright start and took control of the game in the opening 10 minutes. Caton’s long range free-kick found Ollie Gofford at the back post, whose header across goal was well cleared by a Stoke defender.

It was the hosts, however, who went in front on nine minutes. Sam Knowles picked up the ball on the edge of the box before firing a low left-footed effort into the far bottom corner.

The young Potters doubled their lead soon after. Matthew Lusakueno played a clever through ball to number nine Emre Tezgel who calmly slotted home.

McNally made a pair of excellent saves just past the 20-minute mark to keep his side in the game. First, our stopper stuck out a leg to deny Jack Griffiths, whose shot was heading in at the near post. Then, seconds later, he palmed away a George Lewis strike from point-blank range.

However, two became three after the half-hour mark, with Knowles stroking his effort past McNally after being played through on goal.

We created our biggest chance five minutes later. Murphy Parker played a brilliant ball through to Basil Tuma, who muscled a defender off the ball before smashing his effort over.

The young Whites had a strong penalty shout just before the break, when Tuma appeared to be brought down by a Stoke defender. The referee, however, waved any appeals away.

That was the last chance before the break, with the hosts ahead by three goals.

Murphy Parker created the first opportunity for Fulham after the break, making a powerful run down the right before being wiped out just outside of the box. Caton swung in the resulting free-kick, which was headed clear.

The lads were given a great opportunity to bring the game to life as we approached the hour mark. After a trip in the box, the referee pointed to the spot and Lemar Gordon slammed the resulting penalty past goalkeeper Xander Parke.

Our 18s seemed slightly rejuvenated after their goal. Tuma saw an effort from a tight angle skim just wide of the far post, as the boys looked to grab a second.

We continued to push late on, with a flurry of crosses needing to be cleared by the Stoke back line.

In the end, though, time eventually ran out and the final whistle was blown with the score at 3-1.

Our young team should be proud of their performance, going toe-to-toe with a much older Stoke side.