Stoke City U21 1-6 Fulham U21

Fulham Under-21s stylishly booked themselves a place in the Premier League Cup semi-finals on Saturday, smashing Stoke City 6-1 at the Bet365 Stadium.

A Terry Ablade hat-trick and Sonny Hilton brace gave us a strong lead, before Olly Sanderson added a sixth late on.

Steve Wigley was boosted by the return of Sylvester Jasper and Matt Dibley-Dias, with the former starting on the left and the latter beginning the game on the bench.

Luciano D’Auria-Henry didn’t travel with the team, meaning Welshman Jay Williams slotted in at centre-back to form a partnership with Charlie Robinson. Alex Borto came in for George Wickens just behind them.

A change of system also meant that George Okkas was joined by Sonny Hilton and Callum McFarlane in midfield.

The young Whites started on the front foot, with Godo tenaciously winning the ball back before finding Ablade. His left-footed effort from a tight angle was well blocked.

Stoke soon created their own opening on 13 minutes. The experienced Sam Clucas swung in a perfect free-kick, which was headed over by centre-back Connor Taylor.

We got in behind the Stoke defence for the first time straight after and were clinical with the chance. After he powered down the left-hand side, Jasper’s low cross was coolly converted by Ablade.

Borto needed to be alert as we approached the half-hour mark, watching the ball all the way to catch Will Smith’s powerful hit.

Then, Jasper took on his man up the other end before having a go from range. Goalkeeper Tommy Simkin was equal to the strike.

Somehow, we didn’t get ourselves a second 32 minutes in. Ablade had his initial shot from the left saved, but he got the ball back before finding Okkas. After cleverly cutting onto his left foot, the Cypriot forced an even better stop out of Simkin from close-range.

We added a second just before the break, thanks to some top work from Ablade. The forward showed great desire to beat both a centre-back and the goalkeeper to the lofted ball before tapping into an empty net.

After a positive opening half, we went in with the lead thanks to an Ablade double.

Steve Wigley was forced into an early change after the restart, with Dibley-Dias coming on for the injured Jasper.

The hosts got themselves a goal back a couple of minutes later. Jacob Holland-Wilkinson skillfully got himself past Robinson before tucking his strike past Borto. Aruajo went down in the build-up, but the referee quickly waved play on.

We restored our two-goal lead on the hour mark, through Hilton. After a number of attempts were blocked, the ball fell to our captain who rifled a half-volley into the bottom far corner.

Ablade completed his hat-trick just a few minutes later, rising highest to nod Hilton’s corner kick past goalkeeper Simkin and improve our lead further.

The contest was put to bed on 67 minutes, with Hilton grabbing another. Godo slotted the captain through and he made no mistake, sliding the ball past Simkin to make it five.

Our substitutes combined late on to make it 6-1 to Fulham. Terrell Works found Sanderson and he then rolled the ball past Simkin.

An incredible performance from our Under-21s, who begin preparations for a semi-final tie.