West Brom U18 0-2 Fulham U18

Fulham Under-18s returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 2-0 victory at West Brom.

It was the perfect response to two straight defeats, with a Tom Wingate penalty and stoppage-time Aidan Evans strike capping off a fine away day performance.

There was a first U18s start for 15-year-old Kyle Grant on the left of midfield, while Marcell Hall also started for the first time this season following a lengthy spell out with a knee injury.

Our Young Whites did have to suffer in the early stages, and we had Dino Kaiser to thank after denying Divine Onyemachi a wondergoal with a fingertips save, while the winger also put a header over the bar.

Ali Melloul’s side grew into the half and had the ball in the net midway through the first period, but the referee adjudged Evans to have handled the ball before finishing into the net.

Macaulay Zepa had the beating of his opposite number for much of the game, beating Josh Shaw with ease before forcing a save from Louis Brady’s feet.

Wingate was presented with the opportunity to put us ahead on the stroke of half-time. A handball decision in the box went our way this time and Wingate beat Brady from the spot.

After the interval, Fran Cherchi skied a shot for the hosts, but they were restricted to few chances by our organised defence.

Wingate looked to double his tally in audacious fashion, attempting to lob Brady from his own half, only to see his effort drop narrowly wide.

An incisive pass from Seth Chingwaro picked out Luca Picotto with five minutes remaining, but brave goalkeeping from Brady saw him claim the ball at the left-back’s feet.

Even in stoppage-time, our Young Whites wanted to extend the advantage. Chingwaro’s pass set Zepa free down the right, with his flash across the face of goal finding Evans, who marked his return from international duty with Canada U17s with a goal.

We return to action on Saturday 1^st March against top of the table Crystal Palace, 11am kick-off.