Walsall 1-0 Fulham U21s

Fulham U21s suffered a first defeat of the season, losing 1-0 at Walsall in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

There wasn’t much between the sides, but Danny Johnson’s goal in the 50th minute proved the difference as Walsall leapfrogged our Young Whites in the group.

Alfie McNally was forced into an early save, springing to his right to save Charlie Lakin’s vicious half volley from the edge of the area.

On 20 minutes, it was Reyes Cleary’s turn to shoot from range, with his strike whistling just past the post.

Down the other end, Terrell Works found some space to take a shot on his left foot just inside the box, but Sam Hornby was down low to deny him with a parry.

Luc de Fougerolles, making his first start of the season, made a perfectly timed challenge on Johnson on 40 minutes, just as the striker was about to fire towards McNally’s goal.

But the final chance of the half would fall to our Young Whites as the ball fell at Chris Donnell’s feet in the box, but Hornby rushed out and made himself big, making an important stop.

The deadlock was broken shortly after the break as Johnson showed poacher’s instincts to flick a wayward Evan Weir effort into the back of the net.

Hayden Mullins’ side had a golden chance to equalise 15 minutes later as Jon Esenga put a cross on a plate for Callum Osmand in the six yard box, but he couldn’t keep his shot down.

The opportunities didn’t dry up for our Young Whites as Works curled a shot just past the post after he chopped inside onto his left foot with a beautiful piece of skill.

Aaron Loupalo-Bi showed neat feet shortly after coming on as a sub, bringing the ball down in the box and forcing another vital stop from Hornby with a stinging shot.

From the resulting corner, de Fougerolles was fouled in the box and Kristian Šekularac stepped up to take the penalty - only for Hornby to continue his fine evening, guessing the right way and making the save.

Our U21s make the trip to Stevenage to take on Tottenham Hotspur on Friday, 7pm kick-off.