Fulham Res 4 Derby County
Res 2
FA Premier Reserve League (Southern Section)
Fulham’s Reserve team kicked off their season with a fine attacking display
against Derby County in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Kingfield
Stadium, Woking on Tuesday evening.
The Whites were boosted by the return from suspension of striker Luis Boa
Morte and it was the maverick Portuguese International who was characteristically
involved in the first piece of noteworthy action as early as the
first minute.
Defender Zat Knight played a long ball over the top of the Rams midfield
that found Boa Morte in an unmarked position. His attempted long-range
flick over the head of Lee Grant went just inches wide but served as an
early warning to the visitors that Boa was back and hungry for goals...
Ironically, Fulham’s first team faced the same opposition last Saturday
but that is where any similarity between the two encounters ended as
both teams, particularly Fulham, carved out chance after chance throughout
the first period.
On 15 minutes Fulham deservedly took the lead. A corner kick was met by
the head of Knight who’s goal-bound header spun off Otto Bragstad to
find its way into the top corner of the net.
The watching crowd of 377 were already aware that this was clearly going
to be an evening of goals and chances created, and within 6 minutes of the
Whites taking the lead, they found themselves surprisingly chasing the game
by the odd goal.
On 18 minutes Wendy Toms awarded Derby a free-kick just to the left of the
Fulham penalty area which was taken short and quickly for Lee Morris
to shoot home with power and accuracy.
Three minutes later the Rams took the lead with the Fulham defence still
possibly debating how the equaliser had been conceded.
Poor defensive work led to a Derby corner kick, and after a neat flick-on
Rams Skipper Steve Elliot fired in another low hard drive that found it’s
way past Marcus Hahnemann and into to bottom left-hand corner.
Kevin Betsy went close to levelling the scoreline on 25 minutes when a long-range
effort whizzed inches past the post.
Kieran McAnespie was replaced by Mark Hudson on 30 minutes after appearing
to say something to annoy Referee Toms who had a good game in charge.
On 32 minutes probably the best move of the match started with Fulham’s
American International Eddie Lewis picking up the ball just inside his own
half. He split the Rams defence with an inch-perfect pass to find Andrejs
Stolcers who neatly slotted the ball home from around the penalty spot.
Kevin Betsy received a yellow card after laying down the law obviously
too strongly for Toms liking, shortly before a long-range Lewis free
kick was nearly tapped home by the onrushing Cornwall after Grant had failed
to hold the American’s powerful effort.
Fulham regained the lead on 37 minutes through the ever-threatening Luis
Boa Morte. He picked up the ball down the Fulham left hand side, cleverly
skipped past two defenders before his shot skimmed off the post into
the back of the net to make it 3-2.
Among the nights spectators was former Fulham Manager Micky Adams who must
have wondered what it might have been like to be able to field a Fulham
reserve team with an estimated value of £15 million pounds.
Adams would have been impressed with his old Club’s work rate and commitment
as the 3-2 lead was taken into the half-time break.
On 49 minutes Paul Trollope and Zat Knight clashed heads in the Fulham penalty
area whilst trying to clear their lines. Thankfully neither appeared any
the worse for wear after brief treatment.
Alan Neilson, skipper for the night and on a month-to-month contract with
the Club looked solid as ever marshalling the Fulham midfield. He cleared
any danger on 51 after Valakari threatened to pull the Rams level.
Luis Boa Morte nearly added Fulham’s 4th after intercepting a
poor back pass before Hudson then received a yellow for a late challenge
on the halfway line.
Knight went close again with another header from a Fulham corner, proving
that he'll be a big danger at set pieces. Luke Cornwall was replaced by
Elvis Hammond on 61 after tireless running throughout the match had seemingly
emptied his tank.
Betsy had a great chance to put the game beyond Derby shortly after the
hour when he skipped past three defenders into the box only to see his shot
cannon agonisingly off the post and cleared to safety.
Fulham were threatening to extend their lead and two corners in quick succession
clearly had the Rams defence ruffled.
Boa Morte then won a penalty for the home side after being upended in the
area but his poor left footed effort was easily saved by Grant who only
needed to drop down to his left hand side to easily save a soft effort.
On 75 Minutes Calum Willock replaced the injured Stolcers who went of limping
following a strong challenge. Lewis then fired in another long-range blockbuster
before Fulham closed proceedings with a fine goal.
Boa Morte was involved again, this time racing down the wing before squaring
the ball accurately into the path of the on rushing Hammond who opened his
season’s account from close range.
All in all it was a very positive looking performance from Fulham who dominated
this game in much the same fashion as many witnessed at Motspur Park during
last season.
Premiership defences beware…
Fulham: (4-4-2) Hahnemann, Neilson, McAnespie (Hudson), Knight, Ouaddou,
Trollope, Stolcers (Willock), Betsy, Cornwall (Hammond), Boa Morte, Lewis.
Subs not used: Thompson, Hutchinson.
Referee: Wendy Toms Attendance: 377
Weather: Fine Pitch: Good / Firm |
Source Fulhamfc by Paul Thorpe