Fulham U18 2-1 West Brom U18

Fulham Under-18s fought back from behind to beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.

Olly Sanderson got us level from the spot, before Harvey Araujo fired us ahead late on to seal a great win.

With Charlie Robinson and Luke Harris featuring for our Under-23s on Friday, it gave Xavier Benjamin and Imani Lanquedoc a chance to shine on the Motspur Park Arena Pitch.

Luc De Fougerolles started at right-back in place of Devan Tanton, who also put on a positive display for Steve Wigley’s side the night before.

Ali Melloul’s lads flew out of the traps and perhaps should’ve gone one up just seconds in. Sanderson pounced on a loose pass before laying the ball across to Matt Dibley-Dias, whose shot from close-range flew over.

West Brom’s Leon Machisa went into the referee’s book early on for a crunching tackle on Dibley-Dias. Luckily, our midfielder was all good to continue.

Despite our fast start, the young Baggies took the lead on six minutes after some individual brilliance from Reyes Cleary. The number nine curled an excellent free-kick into the bottom corner and there was very little Alex Borto could do to stop it.

Dibley-Dias took aim from range as our 18s looked for a response, but his side-footed strike sailed over the crossbar.

After a period of dominance, we got ourselves back on level terms. Sanderson showed great determination to get in front of a West Brom defender before being hacked down in the area. He dispatched his penalty with great composure.

Sanderson could’ve doubled our lead instantly after but drilled his effort inches wide of the far post. The angle was tight, but he would have been disappointed not to convert.

The visitors were struggling to deal with Sanderson’s pressing and movement. He forced a strong save out of Beau Hudd, who did well to parry his swerving effort.

West Brom still looked dangerous going forward and almost regained the lead on 35 minutes. Cleary’s blocked shot fell nicely for Layton Love, who somehow blazed over from inside the area.

The away side were finding success on the counter-attack and created another big opportunity five minutes later. Cleary, who was a real threat, played the ball across to Jesse Wangusi, whose powerful strike was superbly blocked by Araujo. Some heroic defending on display from our youngster.

Both sides created opportunities in the opening half and they went in tied at the break.

The first decent opportunity after the interval fell to Lanquedoc, whose low strike from the right whizzed just past the far post.

Borto needed to be alert soon after, quickly getting down low to smother a Fenton Heard right-footed shot from the edge of the box.

The second half became far more tense as the two sides battled for the lead.

Sanderson had a big chance on 75 minutes after being released down the right. After covering good ground, his pacy shot smashed into the side netting, but on the wrong side of the post.

It was all Fulham and another chance came our way three minutes later. Terrell Works swung in a teasing cross towards the back post but Benjamin and Araujo got in each other’s way and, as a result, both missed what were free headers.

Our pressure finally paid off with just nine minutes left on the clock. George Okkas’ excellent corner was headed in at the back post by Araujo, who towered over his marker.

The young Whites put on an excellent display in the second half and deservedly took all the points. That's now six wins on the bounce for Melloul's side.