Fulham U18 2-3 Brighton U18

Fulham Under-18s fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

Despite the result, Ali Melloul's side performed to a high level but fell victim to some unbelievable solo goals. Terrell Works got himself on the scoresheet twice to keep the game alive right up until the final whistle.

His first goal put us ahead just five minutes in and it came from a decent team move. After receiving the ball from Callum Osmand, Works put together a clever give-and-go with Aaron Loupalo-Bi before finishing calmly.

We almost doubled out lead not long after. Chibby Nwoko gained some yards down the left before having his chipped cross headed against the upright by Osmand. 

We found ourselves in trouble on 30 minutes, when Brighton striker Joshua Duffus latched onto a smashed clearance from the goalkeeper before winning a free-kick in a dangerous area. The resulting set-piece got things level at Motspur Park.

Joe Knight's clever free-kick skidded off the surface before beating Michael Allen to make it 1-1.

Unbelievably, Knight got himself a second just before the break and again it came from a free-kick. This time he opted to curl his effort around the other side of the wall, and it worked out perfectly for the midfielder.

Two moments of individual quality meant the visitors went in at the break 2-1 up.

The young Whites made an excellent start to the second half. Loupalo-Bi got himself on the end of a decent cross before having his low effort flash just wide of the near post.

Just as we pushed for the leveler, the Seagulls added a third and it was arguably the pick of the lot. Duffus cut in from the right-hand side before unleashing a rocket from about 25-yards out, which beat Allen at his near post. There was very little our stopper could have done to deny him.

Works gave us a fighting chance of a dramatic comeback, stroking home to make it 3-2 with 10 minutes still remaining. Loupalo-Bi got himself a second assist.

One of our biggest chances of the game came in the 95th minute, but agonisingly we couldn't capitalise. The ball was perfectly cut across to Lemar Gordon, who has been excellent in front of goal all season. Unfortunately, on this occasion his disappointing effort was fired straight at Brighton goalkeeper Tommy Reid.

A frustrating day for our youngsters, who turn their attention to a West London Derby against Chelsea on Wednesday evening.