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.