Stoke City U21 0-1 Fulham U21

A late Aaron Loupalo-Bi goal gave Fulham Under-21s an important 1-0 win at Stoke City in PL2.

It had been a frustrating afternoon for our Young Whites but they demonstrated real togetherness and team spirit as Loupalo-Bi scored with three minutes to play to make it five wins from six matches.

Hayden Mullins’ side survived an early scare as Chinonso Chibueze arrowed the ball past Alfie McNally after three minutes, but the linesman had his flag up for offside.

We grew into the half as Ollie Gofford flashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal, before Callum Osmand volleyed a shot wide following a deep Jon Esenga cross.

The only time a goalkeeper was forced into action in the first period was when Loupalo-Bi managed to find space for a shot in a crowded penalty area, but Jack Bonham comfortably gathered his effort.

The first 15 minutes of the second-half was played almost entirely in Stoke’s half. The ball was worked out wide to Chris Donnell and he chopped inside two players before teeing up Chibby Nwoko, with his powerful strike deflecting over the bar.

Down the other end, McNally had his crossbar to thank as Wiktor Gromek rattled the woodwork from distance.

Loupalo-Bi scored the winner just as the game looked as though it might be getting away, and Donnell was instrumental down the right side once again, pulling the ball back for the striker to finish inside the near post.

A trip to Birmingham City in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy is next up for our Young Whites, with kick-off at 7:45pm on Tuesday.