Fulham started their 2006/07 season preparations with a visit to St James' Park to take on Exeter City. As usual with all opening pre-season fixtures, Fulham took the opportunity not only to build up their fitness levels but to give youth a chance.

Jimmy Bullard, who joined the Whites from Wigan, started his first game as did Academy prospects Wayne Brown and Elliott Omozusi.

Highly rated fullback, Omozusi was employed at left back as put in a promising first half display, albeit away from his natural right back position.

Wayne Brown and Michael Timlin were charged with supporting Collins John in attack with Simon Elliot anchoring the midfield. Claus Jensen and Jimmy Bullard were sat just in front of the New Zealand international.

Exeter tested Antti Niemi's reactions early in the first half when a ball over the top of the Fulham defence was hit goalwards on the half volley - forcing a good save from the Fulham stopper.

In a first half of precious few opportunities, Collins John came close to opening the scoring when he headed just over the bar from a Fulham corner.

The home side took the lead just after the half hour mark when Fulham's offside trap failed to spring correctly. The Grecian's broke free down the right wing and crossed for Lee Phillips to convert under pressure from Volz.

Chris Coleman rang in the changes at half time, totally replacing the back line with Liam Rosenior, new signing Gabriel Zakuani, Ian Pearce and Niclas Jensen taking to the field.

Papa Bouba Diop replaced Simon Elliott in the midfield holding role whilst Matty Collins and Michael Brown came on for Jimmy Bullard and Claus Jensen. Of the three attacking players who took to the field in the first half, only Michael Timlin remained on the field after the interval. Heidar Helguson and Ismael Ehui replaced Collins John and Wayne Brown.

The second half was a far more lively affair in terms of attacking football. Michael Brown saw his fiercely struck free kick crash into the wall in the 50th minute.

Fulham continued to press and, in the 60th minute, Diop almost scored with Fulham's best chance of the game. The giant midfielder rose well to meet Michael Timlin's well-taken corner and saw his powerful header tipped over the bar.

Matty Collins was next to try his luck when his low drive flew inches wide of the post.

New signing Gabriel Zakuani looked calm and composed at the back and demonstrated his pace on more than one occasion to sweep up at the back.

Fulham Starting Line Up
Niemi (Warner 28); Volz, Christanval, Knight, Omozusi; Elliott, Bullard, C Jensen, W Brown, Timlin, John

Fulham Second Half Line Up
Warner (Crossley 60); Rosenior, Zakuani, Pearce, N Jensen; Diop, Collins, M Brown; Ehui, Helguson, Timlin

Exeter
Rice; Woodards, Jones, Gill, Richardson, Gaia, Taylor, Buckle, Stansfield, Challinor, Phillips