Fulham Knock Town Out of Youth Cup
Tuesday, 2nd Feb 2010 22:21

Town’s FA Youth Cup campaign came to an end as Fulham came from behind to win this evening’s fifth round tie 3-1. The Blues went in front via a controversial penalty netted by Ronan Murray (pictured) but the Cottagers hit back through Alex Smith, Aaron Pierre and a late Marcello Trotta penalty.

After a quiet start in which Fulham had the better of it, Town threatened on several occasions just after the quarter hour. First Billy Clark was played in on goal on the right but saw his shot blocked by Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli, then Josh Carson's low shot was saved.

Soon after, Connor Wickham latched on to a ball over the top but the England U17 international shot wide. Moments later, Clark played in Wickham again but Bettinelli was out quickly to block.

At the other end, Courtney Harris’s cross-shot caused Town keeper Mirko Ranieri a problem, prior to Fulham midfielder Alex Smith picking up the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Carson, who soon had recovered enough to shoot straight at the keeper.

Town continued to have the better of the chances and just after the half hour Wickham saw an effort deflect wide.

However, at the other end Fulham went closer to scoring than the Blues had managed when Keanu Marsh-Brown shot just over the bar with a shot from the edge of the area.

As half-time drew near, Aaron Pierre made a superb saving challenge on Clark as the midfielder cut into the penalty area and bore down on the six-yard box.

Town had had their chances to be in front at half-time but all too often shots were scuffed to Bettinelli or slid agonisingly wide.

Town went close within two minutes of the start of the second half, Wickham seeing a shot deflect over. For Fulham, Trotta shot straight at Ranieri before Murray and Wickham both again shot too close to Bettinelli

Just before the hour mark, the Blues were awarded a controversial penalty. Wickham played in Murray and the Irish U19 international took the ball into the area where he took the ball past the Bettinelli, who appeared to get a hand to it but sent Murray to ground.

The linesman appeared to be the one who gave the penalty kick, which was hotly disputed by the visiting side. After the furore had died down, Murray beat Bettinelli, sending the ball into the corner of the net.

It took only six minutes for the visitors to hit back when Alex Smith’s shot from the edge of the area deflected off a Town defender and past Ranieri.

Clark was booked for clipping a breaking Fulham player’s heels, then Fulham went close from a corner with Trotta hitting the bar and Reece Jones’s follow-up deflecting over.

The Cottagers were putting on the pressure and it was little surprise that they went in front in the 71st minute. Town failed to clear a series of corners and Aaron Pierre slammed in the loose ball from eight yards.

David Cawley picked up a yellow card for a foul, then Clark shot wide from a Seb Dunbar pass with the Blues desperately looking for an equaliser.

Caolan Lavery replaced Ronan Murray for the last five minutes but failed to make an impression.

Fulham looked the more likely to score as the game entered its closing moments with left-back Michael Kamau hitting the post with a shot from the edge of the box.

As the game moved into injury time, Marcello Trotta broke into the Town box and proved difficult to dispossess and eventually went to ground under the attentions of Josh Meekings. The referee pointed to the spot and the Fulham striker sealed the victory from the spot.

There was only time for Connor Wickham to pick up a yellow card for a foul before the final whistle was blown.

While Town had plenty of chances, particularly in the first half, Fulham were the more composed side for the most part and deserved their victory, dominating the game in the latter stages as the Blues tired.

A number of first teamers were at the game including Owen Garvan, Alan Quinn, Lee Martin and Jaime Peters, in addition to former Blue Kieron Dyer.

U18s: Ranieri, Bennett, Dunbar, Hyam, Meekings, Eastman, Clark, Cawley, Wickham, Murray (Lavery 85), Carson. Unused: McKeown, Winstone, Brandon, Griffiths. Att 1500-ish.

Photo: Action Images

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bluepeter added 22:32 - Feb 2 good try lads!
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Swailsey added 22:42 - Feb 2 1500 ish. haha, awesome.
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peckhamblue added 23:00 - Feb 2

Thought the boys played well tonight, in a game that could of swung either way. Billy Clark was again impressive, with strong tackling and defense splitting thorough balls-a quality forward thinking midfiled player. Other stand out players were Luke Hyam and Tom Eastman & Seb Dunbar. Much is expected of Connor Wickham at a young age-not sure he lived up to the hype tonight but again a good prospect for the future.

PimsNumber1 added 23:26 - Feb 2 Wickham certainly didnt look out of place tonight , hence he really isnt ready for 1st team action yet. Eastman was excellent again and murray was lively
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blueoveru added 23:56 - Feb 2 never mind ,we can concentrate on the league now.
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ollie_smith2001 added 08:33 - Feb 3 2 good sides but the difference was composure. Far too many balls from Town went astray, whereas Fulham kept the ball and piled on the pressure as a result. Too many times we hit long out of desperation, really wasn't enough movement. Ranieri was very poor in the air. But a good effort all round - Fulham were a better side and were particularly petulant.
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biggerblue added 08:45 - Feb 3 Fulham played an attacking formation and got what they deserved. I thought our midfield were out played attacking wise as we sat back and passed back to often. I thought there was to much expected from Wickham, to many long balls to him and our fans shouting at him to do somthing and blaming him was shamefull; he is only 16 for fcuk sake!!!!
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ITFCsince67 added 09:37 - Feb 3

Not sure how we lost that based on clear cut chances.
First 15 mins i was worried, Town looked nervous and second best all over the park. Fulham had plenty of the ball but only really created one half chance from a free kick. After that Town took over and played some really nice passing football from the back and in a space of about 5 mins midway through the half we created 4 clear cut chances and guess what......did not take any of them. Good first half from Town and should have been out of sight.
2nd half was more even with few chances to start. After 15 mins we got a Pen, Murry brought down by the keeper. Los of pushing and shoving between the players but Murry remained cool and scored to keepers left. After that Fulham came back in to it and scored thier first goal from inside the box however it took a massive deflection which wrong footed the keeper. Fulham second was a massive scramble that then just dropped to a player who scored from 2 yards out. Town huffed and puffed after that but created nothing clear cut. Fulhams 3rd at the end was a break away, player then pushed from behind and pen given.
Player ratings
1. Ranieri - 6 Not alot to do but failed to command 6 yard box on corners etc
2. Bennett - 6 worked hard but never got forward
3. Dunbar - 5 Tough night against Fulham NO.7, poor distribution
4. Hyam - 6 Battled but never got beyond strikers
5. Meekings - 6 Comfortable on the ball at the back
6. Eastman - 8 Great in the air, comfortable on the deck
7. Clark - 6 Nice touches but out of the game to often on the right of midfield,never got beyond strikers
8. Cawley - 6 See rest of midfield
9. Wickham - 6 Good touches but never threatened enough where it could hurt Fulham
10. Murry - 7 Good Pen, worked hard used space well
11. Carson - 6 See rest of midfield

Final summary - Good effort, tired at the end. Midfield never got forward enough making the strikers isolated far too often. Premiership club fitness made a difference in the end. Fulham No2 and No7 real class.

blueoveru added 10:06 - Feb 3 ITFCsince67...you even gave them ratings.....i bet you've got a slendid bobble hat collection.
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blueoveru added 10:08 - Feb 3 or splendid even..........& all the badges as well eh!
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nthstd added 10:31 - Feb 3

ITFCsince67 If you do have those collection they would be pristine! Anyway great report and I would agree but I would rate Murry and Carson higher.

The one major failing was the lack of central midfiled to get in amongst the Fulham backline therefore giving the defenders more to do. The fulham defence was closely supported by the midfield whenever we were in the last third.

Fulham simply looked more athletic.

ITFCsince67 added 12:23 - Feb 3 How did everyone know about my pristine badge collection (i like planes also!) Just think for people who did not attend the game a short match report plus player marks brings it to life for everyone. Midfield battled but never really crossed the halfway line or even better got beyond the strikers.
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footyfan182 added 13:17 - Feb 3 itfcscince67 Thanks for report couldn't get to game. Who was your MOM - Eastman?? He is a fantastic Defender and the defence is lost when he dosen't play. Thought Wicham would of been rated higher than a 6 though from what is usually written on here.How many of these boys will go pro nxt year anyone know???
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ITFCsince67 added 15:35 - Feb 3

footyfan182
Wickham had some nice touches but pehaps i expected more from him at this level. None of his half chances were inside the box. thoughts on pro next year, really hard to tell on that performance. Eastman looks the part but needs to lose a few pound or turn it in to muscle. Clark, nice touches but needed to be more involved. Rest....................jurys out. Long journey yet for all of them. Certainly no 16 year old Wayne Rooney, Kiron Dyer or Richard Wright out there.

edd16 added 16:32 - Feb 3 unlucky town. now concentrate on the league = )
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PJs_barmy_army added 18:09 - Feb 3 ITFCsince67 wat r u on about
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8ashblue added 20:31 - Feb 3

i agree that Eastman was MoM his workrate was excellent, headed ball strongly and distribution with both feet, we'd been overrun without him. When midfield got going they were neat and showed skill but final ball weas poor especially shooting which hradly troubled the keeper. Why Town players as a whole try to pass it round the keeper beats me. The keeper had so much time but Fulham players shot with for more venom and only good defending kept the score from getting out of hand. Actually Fulhams defence werent as good but with our midfield laying so deep we never put them under much pressure and of course our forwards didnt get support to show what they could do
i cant see any of them making the grade. Town need to find quicker more skillful younsters if the youth policy is going to work.