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U23 Team - Season 2016/17

Discussion in 'Fulham' started by Cottager58, Jul 20, 2016.

  1. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Fulham 4 Brighton 0 (PL2)

    Wee Georgie Williams was back from his sabbitical .. and scored. Stevie Humphrys was back from his bit of illness .. and scored, twice. The team was:

    Joronen, Fossey, Davies, Kavanagh, Edun, De La Torre, Smile (Walker 45'), Christensen, Williams, Humphrys (Dolan 71'), Woodrow

    Unused subs: Rodak and Jenz

    The first twenty minutes were a bit scrappy. Were playing a funny 4-3-3 with Woodrow and Humphrys in the middle and Williams alternating on the wings and their 4-3-2-1 pretty much stifled our midfield.

    We had obviously been working on set pieces in training – pity the crosses at corners were so poor. But from one around 25 minutes when Brighton didn’t clear their lines who else but Stevie Humphrys came out of a bunch of players and popped it into the net from 12 yards. [That was after Woodrow with a clearer chance half hit his shot against a Brighton player - doubt if he can claim the assist though!]

    The half went back to being quite pacy from both sides, without any chances being created. But right on half time there was apiece of real brilliance. Tayo Edun with a great bit of anticipation broke up Brighton play in his own half ran, made a one two with Humphrys and still running shot into the net from just inside their box.

    We started the second half playing the ball around them and making the occasional break. On one of those Humphrys nearly scored after a great run and cross by Fossey. Brighton killed the game 10 minutes into the half however when a defender passed straight to Stevie Humphrys in front of goal and he don't miss those. 3-0.

    From then on, much the same with us out playing and out running them. It was injury time before we struck again though. Georgie Williams, probably a bit frustrated because he never really got into the game, got the ball just inside their half and with everybody in front of him parting like the Red Sea took a few steps forward and thumped it into the bottom corner of the net from 35 yards.

    The highlight of the evening, apart from the scoreline and the scorers naturally, was our back four. They were magnificent; cool, controlled and calculating. It's really great to see young players reading the game so well and obviously enjoying themselves.



    PS Some notable absentees tonight. Dennis Adeniran - can't be sure but I think he's out injured. Jozabed - who I think is quite simply, out! And Ryan Tunnicliffe - my tip from the Rotherhan thread to take over in midfield tomorrow night !?
     
    #41
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  2. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Aston Villa 3 Fulham 3 (PL2)

    A triple blow for the U23s with Stevie Humphrys going off injured after half an hour and Villa scoring twice in the 5 minutes before half time but a brave display to get the draw. Good to see Rhyeem Sheckleford back from his wee loan, Georgie Williams scoring again and both Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson and Mikolaj Kwietniewski stepping up from the U18s getting goals as well. The team was:


    Rodák; Sheckleford (Fossey 45'), Davies, Kavanagh, R. Sessegnon; De La Torre, Tayo Edun; Williams, Walker, Thorsteinsson (Harris 77'); Humphrys (Kwietniewski 31')

    Unused subs: T. Ashby-Hammond, Dolan

    "Fulham started brightly and had the first chance of the game when Tayo Edun forced a fine save from the Aston Villa keeper with a rasping drive in the 6th minute. Minutes later Stephen Humphrys blazed an effort over the bar from just outside the box. The deadlock was broken the 24nd minute when Aron Davies picked out Ryan Sessegnon on the left wing with a fine diagonal ball. After beating his defender the young full-back played a perfect cross to Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson who slotted in from close range.

    Sessegnon was involved once more in the 28th minute when he picked out Luca De La Torre with another fine cross, however, the American could not get enough purchase on his header to trouble the keeper. The hosts were level just before the stroke of half-time when Andre Green was on hand to fire home from 8 yards when a cross was not dealt with. The turnaround continued just on the stroke of half-time when Tom Leggett combined nicely with the goal scorer Green. This time the goal-scorer turned provider as he Leggett side footed home from 10 yards from goal.

    The Whites made amends for the lacklustre end to the first half when George Williams slotted home a penalty after being fouled just inside the box. It was the perfect remedy and the teams were level with a half remaining.

    However, it was the hosts who took the lead again in the 70th minute to break the deadlock. A superb solo goal from Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, picking up the ball and evading multiple challenges before slotting home from 12 yards out. Despite the setback the Whites continued to push and looked for a leveller. Their efforts were rewarded in the 84th minute when substitute Mikolaj Kwietniewski was on hand to turn home the equaliser after a neat turn and cross from Josh Walker. As the clock ran down both sides pushed for the winner. Jayden Harris putting a shot over the bar from just outside the box and Green blazing over for the hosts.
    "


     
    #42
  3. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Nothing yet from Fulham, but Stoke City have confirmed that the U23 match scheduled for next Monday has been moved forward. To this Saturday (7th January) at Motspur Park, kick off 3pm.

    No reason was given.
     
    #43
  4. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Fulham 2 Stoke 0 (PL2)

    Wee Georgie Williams got the penalty monkey off our back in a great win for a team stacked with U18s - the three on the bench had finished playing just an hour earlier. The team was:


    Rodak; Fossey, Davies, Jenz, Opoku; Kwietniewski, Kait; De La Torre, Williams, Thorsteinsson; Adebayo

    Unused subs: Lukwata, Thomas, Harris, Pearce

    "The Whites made the perfect start early on when Elijah Adebayo – back from a productive loan stint at Slough Town – latched onto a throughball and rounded Harry Isted in the area. The Stoke goalkeeper tried to snatch the ball but succeeded only in bringing Adebayo down, with George Williams dispatching the subsequent spot-kick successfully.

    Fulham were largely untroubled throughout the remainder of the encounter but had to wait until stoppage time to double the advantage, when Williams was aptly rewarded for his work rate at such a late stage in the game. Following a City throw-in the ball was played back to Isted who was unable to get it under control, and George Williams’ desire to put him under pressure resulted in a simple goal for the Fulham forward.
    "
     
    #44
  5. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Correct thread this time - apologies.

    Norwich 2 Fulham 2 (PL2)

    A late penalty robs the lads of the points. Aron Davies had to call off late through illness but by all accounts another good display again from the young CBs drafted in to cover for him and Kavanagh. First start in the U23s as well for twin Steven Sessegnon.The team was:

    Joronen; S. Sessegnon, Jenz, Opoku, Edun; de la Torre, Kait, Thorsteinsson; Walker (Kwietniewski 70'), Humphrys, Williams

    Unused subs: L. Ashby-Hammond, Garrido and Pearce


    "Peter Grant’s boys dominated the first half but were unable to find a way past Canaries captain and goalkeeper Ben Killip, who pushed a George Williams effort onto the post. That was the second time that Fulham had hit the woodwork, after Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson had seen his curling strike come back off the underside of the crossbar. The breakthrough arrived 10 minutes after the restart, though, when Tayo Edun fired a low and accurate shot into the corner of the net from 20 yards out.

    The Canaries restored parity when Jerome Opoku was unfortunate to divert the ball into his own net, but Luca de la Torre put his side back in front when he capitalised on a loose ball in the box. But the Whites were denied a fifth win in six league matches late on when Louis McIntosh netted from the spot after Glenn Middleton was fouled by Tayo Edun
    ."
     
    #45
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2017
  6. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Following yesterday's draw the lads have gone second in the table. Not bad when you consider how young the group are. Oh, and we have the top scorer in the PL2 to boot.


    upload_2017-1-17_9-39-16.png
     
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  7. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Middlesbrough 1 Fulham 2 (PL Cup - Group Stage)

    Great win for the lads which puts us top of Group F. Helped by the 'penalty king', wee Georgie. The team was:

    Joronen; S. Sessegnon, Davies, Jenz, Opoku; Kait, Smile; de la Torre, Williams, Thorsteinsson (Kwietniewski 51'); Walker

    Unused subs: L. Ashby-Hammond, Garrido


    "Both sides had chances early on, with Thorsteinsson denied by experienced goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos, before Josh Smile cleared Niall McGoldrick’s header off the line following a Boro corner. But Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson wasn’t to be denied, continuing a fine few days – which included a new contract and a goal for the Under-18s – with a sweet volley from the edge of the box shortly before half-time.

    Jesse Joronen was called into action five minutes after the restart, with his double save keeping out Alex Pattison and Junior Mondal. His counterpart Konstantopoulos was next to be tested as he kept out Mattias Kait’s low shot, before plucking the ball bravely from Josh Walker’s feet to deny him a shooting chance. But the second Fulham goal arrived soon after when George Williams converted from 12 yards following a handball by Johnny Burn.

    Joronen then saved from Jordan McGhee and Jakupovic, but the latter got the better of him from the spot following another handball decision, placing his penalty straight down the middle. Callum Cooke and McGhee then both had efforts as Boro went in search of an equaliser, but Fulham remained a threat on the counter, with Konstantopoulos forced into two saves to thwart Williams. In the dying stages of the game Joronen made two crucial stops to keep home captain Cooke out and secure all three points for his side."


    The Group decider will be on February 13th when we go to Wimbledon and 'Boro take on Charlton.


    PS Steven Sessegnon stepped up in place of Marlon Fossey who is in America (with the USA U19s I think - certainly one of their youth teams.)
     
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    Last edited: Feb 13, 2017
  8. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Highlights courtesy of 'Boro. Cracking first goal for us and blimey, what a lot of chances for both sides.


     
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  9. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Fulham 2 Swansea 1 (PL2)

    Fantastic win for the lads in what the Club billed "Clash at the Top". Swansea still sit at the head of the League but these 3 points cut into their advantage. Great to see Dennis Adeniran back in with a goal and I did say wee Georgie is ace at penalties. The team was:

    Joronen, Fossey, Edun,Smile, Davies, Jenz, de la Torre, Adeniran (Thorsteinsson, 62), Walker, Kait, Williams.

    Unused subs: T. Ashby-Hammond, Opoku and Kwietniewski.

    No report from Fulham as yet, so here's the one from the oppo camp:

    "Fulham attacked from the kick-off as they looked to make home advantage count to continue their unbeaten league run at Motspur Park.
    Defender Marlon Fossey and midfielder Lucas de la Torre saw their crosses from the wing blocked by the Swans defence as George Byers tested Fulham keeper Jesse Joronen inside the opening ten minutes. Fulham's attack mean't Swans' keeper Gregor Zabret was called into action to deny chances from Welsh youngster George Williams before Dennis Adeniran fired goalwards minutes later.

    Despite those chances it was Swansea who took the lead just before the half hour mark as a cross from the left flank fell kindly for winger Jordan Garrick inside the area for the 18-year-old to rifle home his first U23s goal of the season. A diving header from Adam King almost put the young Swans two goals up minutes later as midfielder Joshua Smile made a goalline clearance. Swansea soaked-up the pressure well in the final third but Fulham equalised minutes before half time as midfielder Dennis Adeniran fired home a cross from Mattias Kait.

    Both sides raced out of the blocks for the second half, but Swansea were forced to soak-up early chances from Fulham as Kait was denied a chance on goal. Swansea were spared going behind minutes later as a cross from Williams on the left found goalscorer Adeniran only for the midfielder to lean back at the crucial moment to sky the ball over the bar.

    The Swans grew back into the game with a golden opportunity to take the lead on 55 minutes as George Byers' through ball unlocked Fulham's defence to play in Adam King only for the Scottish midfielder to fire wide from inside the box. Three minutes later as Swansea hit the post as King's pressure on Fulham's defence forced Edun's clearance to cannon off the midfielder and almost into the net. But Fulham replied in attack as Edun made-up for his error minutes earlier with a powerful strike from the edge of the area that looked to be headed into the top corner, denied acrobatically with a one-handed save from Gregor Zabret.

    Both sides continued to play out an entertaining second period until Fulham were awarded a penalty for a push on Kait in the box. George Williams stepped-up to fire Fulham into the lead from 12-yards.

    Swansea rallied and almost levelled minutes later as Owain Jones' low drive from the left was denied on the line and deflected over the bar by Aaron Davies. Despite constant pressure from the Swans in the closing stages Fulham held on to take the win in front of their home fans at Motspur Park."


     
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  10. Cravingawin

    Cravingawin Well-Known Member

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    That is a young and promising group of lads.
     
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  11. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Fulham 1 Middlesbrough 0 (PL2)

    Great win for the lads. That's now unbeaten in 6 and only 1 loss in last 9. Chasing Swansea hard at the top. The team was:

    Joronen, Fossey, Edun, Smile, Davies, Jenz, de la Torre, Thorsteinsson, Walker, Kait, Williams

    All the more impressive when you look at the ages - 23, 18, 19, 17, 18; 20, 18; 18, 21, 18 and 19.


    [No Club report yet]
     
    #51
  12. Doriley

    Doriley Member

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    and on
    And the bench the ages were 18,18.18 17.16 (although none came on;-) !
     
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  13. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Ah ha, the bench was: Ashby-Hammond, Opoku, Harris, O'Riley, Elstone

    That's quite something D. Congratulations to the lad.
     
    #53
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2017
  14. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    The Club report has come in and as our reporter has picked up, we've become 'Boro's bogey team this season:


    "The first big decision referee Carl Brook had to make in the game came early when a quick ball was played to Joshua Smile’s feet inside the box, a heavy challenge came in and Smile ended up on the floor. Brook controversially pulled out the first yellow card of the game for simulation. Two minutes later Jesse Joronen was called into action as Boro managed to get a shot away, he took the sting out of the ball and Joshua Smile was on hand to clear it out of harms way.

    Throughout the half good chances were made on the right of the pitch with Marlon Fossey linking up with de la Torre, sending good supply into the box. Kait shot across goal and Boro keeper Pears pushed it passed the post. The corner that ensued was swung in and the ball fell between Joshua Walker and Moritz Jenz. Walker managed to dig the ball out from under his feet, and register a shot on target with Pears getting low and saving the shot.

    Boro had a good spell of attack knocking balls into Fulham’s area, but Aron Davies was on hand to head every ball out that came his way. Deep into the first half Fulham had a free kick outside the area on the right 25 yards out, with Tayo Edun and Jon Dagur Thorsetinsson standing over the ball. A cleverly worked set piece almost led to the opener, as Edun rolled the ball across the D to the feet of Josh Smile, who smashed the ball left of the goal.


    The Whites came even closer minutes later with an audacious piece of skill from Thorsteinsson, as he back-heal flicked a ball over the head of two defenders to leave himself one on one with the keeper. He shot near post and Pears made the save. Just before the half time whistle blew Smile skipped past a defender in the box and squared it to Walker, who managed an effort on target but couldn’t break the deadlock as Pears caught the ball.

    In the second half the match was fairly even until the 70th minute when Fulham started piling on the pressure, Williams curled an effort just over the bar from outside the area. Moments later Kait chested a ball down in midfield and drove forward spraying the ball out wide to Edun, who swung the ball in across goal, and was cleared for a corner. Fulham clearly were finding joy out wide with Edun and sent ball after ball to him out wide, Edun fizzed the ball across the goal face as Kait dived in but couldn’t get his outstretched foot connect to make the opener.

    Fulham made the pressure count in the 75th minute as Edun whipped yet another tantalising ball into the box and found Mattias Kait waiting this time at the far post, he directed the ball on target with power and passed the goal keeper to give Fulham the advantage. It was a frantic end to the match as Joronen made a couple of good saves to keep the game level, and in the final minute Walker smashed a ball into the right hand post, Boro broke on the counter, and had their own shot bounce off Fulham’s woodwork.

    The ref blew his whistle to end the game 1-0 to Fulham, with a nerve jangling end to the match to make it a fourth victory and a whitewash against Middlesbrough this season
    ."
     
    #54
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2017
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  15. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Fulham 2 Wimbledon 0 (PL Cup - Group Stage)

    The youngest player ever to turn out for the U23s, Matt O'Riley, made his debut tonight in a super win for the lads.

    [Congratulations D. - you must be thrilled and justifiably proud]

    Take a bow also wee Georgie Williams who got both goals. We were boosted as well with the return of Ryheem Sheckleford and Elijah Adebayo from there short spell on loan and the inclusion of the classy Dennis Adeniran. A small observation but this is a big side.

    The team was:

    Joronen, Sheckleford, Edun (Mundle-Smith 57), Smile (O'Riley 92), Davies, Jenz, Kait, Adeniran, Adebayo, Williams, Thorsteinsson

    Unused subs: T. Ashby-Hammond and Elstone


    [Club report to follow]
     
    #55
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2017
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  16. Cottager58

    Cottager58 Well-Known Member

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    Here's our Club reporter's take on the game which sees the team consolidate their position at the top of the Group Table:

    "The match kicked off and Fulham were in full control form the start. Ryheem Sheckleford darted down the right wing and found himself in space. Not being closed down, Sheckleford knocked a teasing ball across the box and George Williams dived in at the back post to poke the ball home within the third minute to give the Whites the opener to make it 1-0.

    Minutes later once again Sheckleford was in space to the right of the box, this time however his cross was blocked and sent out for a corner. This became a recurring theme in the first half, with Sheckleford and Williams linking up well on the right up the pitch. Wimbledon ventured into Fulham’s territory 10 minutes into the match, but Aron Davies was there to marshal the winger out of play. The Dons grew into the game, and moments later almost forced an error from Fulham, as a rare miscommunication between Joronen and Davies led to Jayden Antwi-Nyame firing just past the right post.

    28 minutes into the match and Wimbldon had several attacks in quick succession. The Whites countered well and Sheckleford slipped a ball through to George Williams, who cut in on his left and curled a shot across goal. Josef Bursik, between the sticks for the Dons, managed to get a glove to the ball, but it had enough power behind it to brush past his hand and into the goal to double Fulham’s lead and Williams’ tally.

    This certainly was a game of two halves as Wimbledon came out with renewed vigour. Antwi-Nyame found himself in a good position and fired inside the box on the right and forced a save from Jeronen, Davies was on hand to clear. The Dons had three more chances in quick succession but could not capitalise. Their best chance came in the 55th minute, Egil Kaja slipped past two defenders in the box with some trickery and shot at close range. Jeronen managed to take the sting out of the shot and Edun cleared with a header off the line.

    Wimbledon piled on the pressure, with Neset Bellikli running at goal. Bellikli had a few long range shots, one sailed over the bar. Bellikli followed with a similar attack but Joshua Smile read it well and slid in to intercept the danger. In the 70th minute Adebayo raced up the right of the pitch and pulled back a perfectly weighted ball to Williams. Bursik closed down well and blocked the shot with his chest. Williams looked to get a second bit of the cherry but a Dons defender managed to get back onto the line and threw himself at the second shot, somehow preventing a hat-trick for the Welshman.

    The attack relieved pressure from the Whites defence as Adebayo enjoyed his best spell of the game. From close to the halfway line, a ball was slipped through to Adebayo and he galloped up the pitch for a one on one with Bursik, who dived low and early to block the shot. Joronen had more work to do in the final ten minutes of the game, rushing out to prevent a through ball. A corner was swung in and William-Bowers struck from the 6 yard box but Joronen blocked, the rebound landed once more at a Dons foot and Joronen saved again to make sure he kept his clean sheet.

    In the final minutes of the game Williams had one more chance clean through on goal, he tried to drag it past the keeper but Bursik had a good second half and got a palm to the ball."



     
    #56
  17. Doriley

    Doriley Member

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    It was a cracking debut..100% pass rate (two passes!) and 38 seconds on the pitch.. ;-)
     
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  18. Cravingawin

    Cravingawin Well-Known Member

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    Average age 16?
     
    #58
  19. Doriley

    Doriley Member

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    1 U16 2 U17 and 4 U18's in the squad of 16
     
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  20. Cravingawin

    Cravingawin Well-Known Member

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    That's quite unbelievable Doriley. Fair play to them for showing the desire to play well.
     
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