U18 Team - Season 2016/17

Middlesbrough 2 Fulham 1 (FA Youth Cup - 4th round)

Proper cup tie which could have gone either way. Unfortunately we missed a wodge of chances in the first half and their goalie was on form throughout. The team was:

T. Ashby-Hammond; Fossey, Jenz, Opoku, S. Sessegnon; O'Riley (Pearce 88'), Thomas (Anderson 46'), Harris; Kwietniewski, Thorsteinsson; Elstone

Unused subs: Garrido Rodriguez, Lukwata, Felix


The Club report doesn't really do the game justice but here it is anyway:

"With the temperature dropping below zero just after kick-off it was Boro who took an early lead. A speculative cross was not dealt with and Lambert was on hand to nod home from close range. The goal came against the run of play but minutes later Middlesborough came close to doubling the lead in a free flowing encounter. Cassian Thomas with a superb block on the line to prevent a second before Mikolaj Kwietniewski saw his effort destined for the top corner clawed out by the keeper.

With the temperatures continuing to drop the Whites continued to probe for an opening. Taye Ashby-Hammond producing a fine save at the Boro strikers feed before Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson flashed an effort wide on the stroke of half-time.

Ten minutes into the second half Fulham were back level after Michael Elstone was felled in the box following a good run. Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson was on hand to slot the penalty home and the Cup encounter was all square once again.

However, the lead was short lived and 4 minutes later Jack Lambert played a perfect cross into the path of Tyrone O'Neill who did the rest. A resiliant Middlesbrough side were tough to break down and despite a late surge Fulham were unable to battle back and the Cup run was over for the Young Whites."

 

It was very cold.pitch was very bad and rock hard..suited Boro's long ball more than us although we did dominate in the first half and should/could have had 3 or more. Boro may have had the better of the second half but again we could feel unlucky in a game that probably shouldn't have gone ahead.. And its a long way to go there and back in a day!!

 

Posted in error - apologies. Moved to U23 thread.

 

Aston Villa 0 Fulham 2 (U18s)

The lads are back on track. Mikolaj Kwietniewski in the first half and Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson with a second half penalty were our scorers.


[No other details as yet]

 

Apart from a couple of 10 minute spells the boys were very comfortable and played some excellent football...the only downside was we had a bit of a first team issue.. 15 shots and only 2 goals..should have been 3 or 4!

 

Thanks D, sounds good. Still nothing from the Club. However just to confirm the team was:

T. Ashby-Hammond, Felix, Mundle-Smith, Garrido, Martin, Harris (Santos-Clase 84), O’Riley, Kwietniewski, Andrason (Pearce 76), Thorsteinsson, Elstone (York 76).

 

Brighton 1 Fulham 1 (U18s)

Isaac Pearce got the equaliser as the lads take a draw in what was apparently was a very good game. The team was:

T. Ashby-Hammond; S. Sessegnon, Mundle-Smith, Garrido, Martin (Felix 51'); Harris, O'Riley; Kwietnieski, Anderson (Elstone 60'), Santos Clase (Thomas 77'); Pearce

Unused subs: York and Kelly

The Club report is now in:

"After a bright start from both sides the referee made an early decision to awarding the Seagulls a penalty in the 5th minute for a push in the back from Stephen Sessegnon. Brighton forward Danny Mandroiu kept his cool and calmly swept his effort home from the 6 yard spot, placing his shot into the top left hand corner of the goal to peg the young Whites back early on.

After a slow start from Fulham the team found their feet and created several good chances, and with their perseverance found an opening in the 37th minute. Nicolas Santos Clase received the ball on the left, broke past the Brighton right back and drove a low ball across the box and into the path of Isaac Pearce. Pearce managed with one touch to slide the ball past Tom McGill, who was in-between the sticks for Brighton today.

The second half saw a vast improvement from The Whites. Pushing further up the pitch they were able to generate more pressure on the hosts and as a result create more chances. Despite the upturn in fortunes either side could have snatched a winner in the final quarter. However, no breakthrough came and the points were shared on a bright afternoon on the South coast.

A solid team display and a great performance from Jaydn Mundle-Smith ensured Fulham return to London with a deserved point."

 

Fulham 3 Arsenal 2 (U18s)

Another great game and another great performance by the lads. This time against a team above them in the League they took a 3-0 lead ( an OG, a great strike from Michael Elstone and a penalty by Joe Felix) before the Arsenal fought back. The team was:

T. Ashby-Hammond, Felix, Mundle-Smith, Opoku, S. Sessegnon, Harris, O’Riley, Kwietniewski (Elstone 10), Pearce, Andrason (York 84), Santos Clase

Unused subs: Mourinho, Garrido and Thomas

The Club report is now in - we appear to have a new reporter:

"Fulham started with a high intensity and were able to maintain their pressing for most of the 90 minutes. The Whites were able to settle into the match quickly and played good football from the start. Just under ten minutes into the match and Mikolaj Kwietniewski managed a sublime piece of skill and gained possession of the ball in midfield, unfortunately though he injured himself as he landed. Kwietniewski stayed on the pitch for a minute before he couldn’t continue with his ankle and made way for Michael Elstone.

Elstone made a real impact on the match with his introduction, within minutes of being on the pitch he broke down the right and attempted to get the ball into the box with Isaac Pearce waiting in the middle. Elstone caused the Arsenal defenders problems throughout the game, both through holding the ball up and also going forward, as they struggled to deal with his physicality.

Fulham occupied Arsenals territory with continued pressure from Peace and Nicolas Santos Clase on either side, with Jayden Harris doing a job breaking up the play in midfield. The first 20 minutes had been comfortable and the breakthrough came in the 20th minute as Joe Felix broke down the right and drove a low ball into the box. A dangling Arsenal leg directed the ball into their own net to give the Whites the advantage.

Arsenal started to find their feet in the game and had a few good attacks, with Jay Beckford cutting balls into the box but Jerome Opoku managed to meet them each time. In the 43rd minute Michael Elstone ran straight at Arsenal defender Danny Ballard, pulled right slightly and shot across goal, beating their keeper as the ball bounced in off the left post to double the Whites’ lead.

Five minutes after the second half kicked off Isaac Pearce ran into the right side of the box, and Joey Felix found his feet with a low ball. Pearce went to the ground under a challenge and the linesman raised his flag to give the Whites a penalty. Joe Felix had the honours from the penalty spot, and struck the ball well beating the keeper to his right to give Fulham a 3-0 advantage.

Arsenal’s Fortune managed a response with a great run down the left side of the pitch beating several defenders, he shot hard and low and beat Taye Ashby-Hammond to his right. After Arsenal scored they changed gear and chances started to break at both ends, entering the last ten minutes there was a siege on goal from the Gunners as they turned up the pressure andmanaged to pull one more back as Coyle cut in from the right and his shot found the top corner of the net."

 

Fulham 3 Southampton 0 (U18s)

Terrific second half from the lads at a chilly and snow flurry Motspur Park, with a brace of goals from Michael Elstone and a shot from Joe Felix that was deflected into his own goal by a Sothampton player. The team was:

T. Ashby-Hammond, Felix, Mundle-Smith, Garrido, Martin, Kelly, O’Riley, Thomas, Elstone, Andrason (Harris 56), Santos Clase (Thompson 77)

Unused subs: J. Schwarzer, Spence and York

NB the goalie on the bench; another son of a famous father, joining J. Mourinho Jnr in our Academy of keepers.


[Club report to follow]

 

From our intrepid Club reporter:

"It was difficult conditions from the start as it was snowing heavily for the first 45 minutes of the match. Southampton played a compact game in the middle of the park, and the opening 20 minutes were contested evenly, with chances falling at both ends. Southampton grew into the game and gained control, making it difficult for Fulham to settle on the ball and sent many balls out wide to their winger Siph Mdlalose, but Dan Martin was exceptional at marshalling him out of play after each attack.

Just before the break Joe Felix darted forward from the right past several players in black shirts and cut a ball back to Nicolas Santos-Clase. He managed to curled a ball with his left foot inches over the bar as Saints’ keeper Kingsley Latham rooted to the spot.

Straight into the second half and the weather relented during the break. Felix joined the attack again down the right, Cruyff turned and swung a ball in with his weak foot that was close to be put away but no one got a decent connection and score remained level. The game turned on its head after the break and Fulham stretched Southampton wide, they were allowed more possession of the ball and dictated play. The Saints quickly found themselves on the back foot.

In the 56th minute Atli Andrason made way for Jayden Harris. It took 15 minutes of him being on the pitch until the first goal came. Harris played a one-two with Santos-Clase, then slotted a perfectly weighted pass through to Michael Elstone who had split directly through two defenders. With a one on one with the goalie he never looked liked missing as he knocked the ball right past Latham to give the Whites the advantage.

Minutes later again attacking up the pitch, Santos-Clase threw the ball in to Harris, who hit it hard into the box and an outstretched Southampton leg steered the ball into their own net to double Fulham’s lead. To round off a superb ten minutes of play, Harris involved once again, pounced on a stray pass high up the pitch. He ran at goal, shot hard and low to his left as the goalie managed to get a glove to it and palmed it wide. Michael Elstone, however, was on hand to smash the ball past him to seal the victory. Taye Ashby-Hammond either side of the final goal made a couple of fantastic saves, as he had done throughout the 90 minutes to keep a clean sheet for the Whites.

A well earned three points for Fulham with a great team performance and some outstanding individual ones; now they look forward to their next game against Tottenham."

 

Tottenham 0 Fulham 3 (U18s)




What a great start to a weekend against the Spuds! Neat as well to see Matt O'Riley get his first goal; a stunner from the edge of the box.

[That was his first 'senior' goal wasn't it D. ?]

Other goals were from Jayden Harris and Cameron Thompson and the team was:

T. Ashby-Hammond, Felix, Mundle-Smith, S. Sessegnon, O'Riley, Garrido, Pearce, Thomas (Santos Clase 69), Elstone (Thompson 45), Harris, Martin.

Unused subs: Schwarzer and Opoku

Wee reminder that's Dan Martin, not Chris. Club report to follow.

 

Good game..first half spurs edged it maybe ..second half a classic counter attacking game ..goal was cracking ..also hit bar from 20 yard freekick and we should have had another 2 or 3..

 

Our Club reporter picks out the high spots in the team's third win on the trot.

"In the first half both sides battled hard for the breakthrough, Cassian Thomas did well to break up the play in midfield and stole possession numerous times. The first real chance of the game came in the 16th minute as Dan Smith pulled a ball back from the left wing to Jayden Harris on the edge of the box, who curled an effort just over the bar. Minutes later Spurs had looked to have scored the first goal of the match but the line judge quickly raised his flag to disallow the goal before it stood. Tottenham’s best chance came from a free kick 25 yards out, their number nine struck the ball and Taye Ashby-Hammond moved across the goal and knocked it onto his post with his fingertips. The ball dropped to the Spurs striker and Ashby-Hammond was on hand once more to block a certain goal from close range.

The breakthrough came moments before the halftime whistle as Jayden Harris stole a ball just outside the area on the left of the box, he ran into the area and crossed a low ball. The cross hit a defender and deflected onto goalkeeper who couldn’t keep the ball from rolling into the back of the net to give the Whites the lead. Fulham importantly capitalised on a good ten minutes of play.

In the second half the Whites stepped up a gear after their team talk and were in full flow, especially with Isaac Pearce working hard up and down the right wing in both attack and helping out Joe Felix in defence. A very well worked set piece saw O’Riley knock a ball to the back post, headed across goal by Jose Garrido before it ball was cleared in the nick of time, only as far as Matt O’Riley who smashed the ball from outside the area. The ball floated across the goal and into the top left corner with the Spurs goalkeeper rooted to the stop watching as it went in.

O’Riley almost doubled his tally moments after play resumed from another set piece with Steven Sessegnon being fouled on the edge of the area after a surging run. O’Riley smashed a free kick looking for the top left pocket hit the corner. In the 70th minute Thomas made way for Nicolas Santos-Clase which stretched the Spurs team, and he almost scored with his first touch as he was through on goal. He had time and space and could have taken a few more strides towards the goal but the keeper did well to keep him off the scoresheet.

Spurs were enjoying a good spell towards the end, the Whites defence worked hard to keep their shape and possession as much as possible. Cameron Thompson replaced the hard working Michael Elstone with ten minutes left in the match. After a Tottenham attack and another good save from Ashby-Hammond he saw Thompson sprinting up the pitch. He cleverly launched a long ball, throwing over half the pitch and over the defenders head for Cameron Thompson to run one on one with the goalkeeper. Thompson dragged the ball to the left of the goalie and coolly knocked the ball into an open net to end any hope of a Spurs comeback and to seal the three points for Fulham."

 

Congrats to Matt, Doriley. You must be chuffed for him.

 

thanks..very pleased for him..and of course all the boys

 

And here folks is a clip of that goal. Good or what?






PS Having watched the extended highlights on Fulham TV, have to add what an outstanding game young Ashby-Hammond had in goal.

 

Fulham 2 Norwich 2 (U18s)

An own goal from the youngsters today. Two own goals in fact after being 2-0 up and left to rue a host of missed chances. These dropped points mean the lads will be 5th in the table and stuck with Group 2 games - for now. The team was:

L. Ashby-Hammond; Felix, S. Sessegnon, Garrido, Mundle-Smith; Martin (Kelly 85'), Thomas; Pearce, Harris, Santos-Clase (Thompson 70'); Elston (York 75')

Unused subs: J. Schwarzer, De Havilland


"The first opportunity of the game fell to Norwich within three minutes as winger Kieran Higgs was played through the middle. He took his shot on the half volley and sliced it over the bar as a warning. Ten minutes into the game Joe Felix broke down the right and swept a ball into the box towards Jayden Harris’ feet, but Jon McCracken who was between the sticks for Norwich rushed out and got to the ball just in time. The first clear cut opportunity for the Whites came two minutes later. Isaac Pearce was brought down 25 yards out of the box and Cassian Thomas struck the free kick inches over the top corner.

Fulham started to control the game, holding possession and working their way up the pitch. Michael Elstone worked tiredlessly, dropping into midfield to help gain possession, and he had several shots from far out that sailed over the bar. The Whites were having the lions share of the chances, with Harris cutting across the field towards the box. He chose to shoot from distance and he saw his effort go high. Fulham’s best chance in the first half came from a set play. Dan Martin swung a free kick 30 yards out from goal into the box, and Jose Garrido managed to glance his head to the ball, the shot looped inches over the bar.

Elstone once more picked the ball up from midfield and drove through the defence. This time he chose to go with his left. He beat his defender and sent a powerful shot on target. McCracken got low and negotiated the swerving shot. In the 33rd minute yet another chance came to Fulham, Felix sprinted down the right and sent a direct ball into the box. Pearce got an accurate header away but the keeper got his gloves to the ball. Norwich then retaliated with their own chance, Higgs cut in from the right once more and sliced his shot which flew harmlessly over the bar.

It took till the second half for the deadlock to be broken. Felix, in the 52nd minute shot from the right of the area, his effort was blocked and sent out for a corner. From the corner McCracken was under pressure fumbled the ball into the back of his own net to give the Whites the lead. Fulham looked to make their dominance with the ball count, Dan Martin sprinted through the Norwich defence but shanked a shot wide of the right post.

Moments later however, the Whites mounted another attack. This time it was Nicolas Santos-Clase who broke from the half way line and found himself in a one on one position, and expertly slotted the ball past the keeper to double the lead.

With a two goal advantage Fulham started to sit back and soak up pressure, and to Norwich’s credit they took advantage in the 64th minute. The Norwich attack worked the ball into the box, it landed at Felix’s feet. Felix went to clear the ball but struck it the clearance into keeper Ashby-Hammond, and the ball deflected into their own net to cut the lead by half. Norwich took that impetus and launched more attacks, and it only took three minutes before they claimed their second goal. This time Higgs drilled a cross through the box and Felix couldn’t get out the way, and the ball bounced off him and into the goal.

The final 20 minutes of the match was like a basketball game, end to end. Fulham were throwing all men forward, and Pearce worked tirelessly down the right creating several scoring opportunities for his team mates. The last big chance of the match came as Pearce skipped past two defenders and launched a cross at speed through the box. Substitute Cameron Thompson got a strong head to the ball as his effort rattled the cross bar to keep the score level."

 

The U18's fixtures for the remainder of the season have been released, starting with Aston Villa this Saturday at Motspur Park.

Having finished fifth in the Premier League South, Fulham are in Group 2, along with Stoke, Derby, Everton and Middlesbrough from the PL North; and Norwich, Spurs and Villa from the PL South.

Some kick off times are yet to be confirmed, but the fixtures are:


Sat 11/03/17 – Aston Villa (H)
Sat 18/03/17 – Stoke City (A)
Sat 01/04/17 – Derby County (H)
Sat 08/04/17 – Everton (A) 11am
Sat 22/04/17 – Norwich City (H) 12pm
Sat 29/04/17 – Tottenham Hotspur (A) 11am
Sat 13/05/17 – Middlesbrough (H) 11am

 

Fulham 2 Aston Villa 2 (U18s)

Good game, good game. Not too bad a start from the youngsters in their first match of the Merit Group but just maybe could have been that wee bit better result wise. The team was:


L. Ashby-Hammond; Felix, S. Sessegnon, Garrido, Mundle-Smith; Harris (York 90'), Martin; Pearce, Hilton, Santos-Clase (Kelly 77'); Elstone (Thompson 77')

Unused subs: J. Schwarzer, Tahir

"The first opportunity of the match fell to Callum Rowe of Aston Villa. He latched onto a loose pass high up the pitch and shot from far out to test Taye Ashby-Hammond, who was unfazed by the effort. The next ten minutes saw both sides battling hard in midfield, trying to unlock each others defences. Elstone broke down the right of the pitch and attempted a cross, but goalkeeper Mani Idem was quick to intervene. In the 13th minute, Jaydn Mundle-Smith intercepted a ball at left back and ran at a claret and blue shirt, drawing in the man. He sent a well weighted ball down the line to Nicolas Santos-Clase, who swept a low cross through the six yard line but no Fulham attacker could get on the end of it.

The Whites put significant pressure on the Villa defence, winning a number of corners from both sides. Jose Garrido managed to get his head to the ball twice, but couldn’t make his efforts count. Moments later Elstone once more played a ball from midfield to himself by knocking it past a static defender and chasing it down, he attempted a cross before it was blocked for a corner. This time Dan Martin’s curled the ball into the box and it was cleared only as far as Jayden Harris, who smashed a shot, catching a slight deflection to send it inches over the cross bar. In the 20th minute Mundle-Smith sent yet another excellently weighted pass down the line with Elstone chasing again, he battled with his defender and dinked a cross to the back post, which was cleared it to keep the corner count rising.

Five minutes later and it was Joe Felix’s turn to create a chance, he sprinted up the right and whipped a ball across the box and Elstone couldn’t get a touch, this time however they made the corner count. The ball swung in and Garrido got above his defender and headed it back across goal where Isaac Pearce was waiting. He was able to generate a powerful header, sending his shot across the keeper to give the Whites the advantage they deserved.

Villa tried to respond quickly with a counter attack, and Garrido managed to get back and slide in and deflect the shot just over the bar. The corner flew into the box and Garrido was there once more to head the ball out of danger. Ten minutes before the half time whistle Fulham doubled their lead and made their first half dominance count. Pearce nicked the ball right of the halfway line and sprung forward. He curled and exquisite ball past all defenders to Michael Elstone, who with his left foot slots the ball into the net.

The second half however took a drastic turn. With the Whites playing up the hill, they started to invite pressure. Villa tried to force mistakes Fulham’s defence straight from the off having made a key substitution during the break. It took ten minutes for Villa to get back into the game. Jayden Harris had the ball taken from him in midfield, wich some viewed as a foul. Villa’s Jacub Ramsey was alone in the box and the ball was played through to him on the left, he slotted it left past Ashby-Hammond.

It wasn’t long before Villa attacked again, the Whites were taking too many touches in dangerous areas, are were not able to clear their lines. A Villa attacker made his way once more into the box and the ref blew for a penalty, having deemed that Nicolas Santos-Clase had unfairly pushed him the player illegally in the back and off the ball. Harvy Knibbs took the honours for Aston Villa, and expertly smashed the penalty bottom left. Ashby-Hammond went the correct way and was close to saving, but the shot was accurate and went close to the post.

In the final ten minutes both neither team were happy to settle for the draw and both went forward with venom looking for the winner. Crosses came in with Ashby-Hammond collecting with no problem. The Whites played heavily down the right, with substitutes Chris Kelly and Cameron Thompson linking up play with Felix. The final chance came for Fulham as Sonny Hilton squeezed a ball through the back line to Harris running at speed but a defender got back just in time and marshalled the ball out of play. Villa countered down the other end of the pitch and an accurate last ditch tackle from Hilton kept the scores level, neither team were able to capitalise."

 

Stoke 2 Fulham 2 (U18s)

It's becoming a habit - yet another goal in the dying seconds robs another of our teams of victory. One nil down at half time time the lads fought back with second half goals from Jerome Opoku qnd Michael Elstone (that one in the 90th minute) before having to settle for the draw.

And my mistake from the U23 report last night, Matt O'Riley was out here today bolstering the U18s. The team was:

Felix, Sessegnon, Opoku, Martin; Harris (York 55'), O'Riley; Pearce, Hilton (Elstone 67'), Kelly; Thompson (Santos-Clase 85')

Unused subs: J. Schwarzer, Garrido


[Club report to follow]