Town's reserves lost 1-0 to an experienced Fulham side on Monday night. The Cottagers included Ian Pearce, Billy McKinlay and young defender Adam Green who have all experienced Premiership football this season. Matt Richards, Aidan Collins and 16-year-old Darryl Knights were all in the Town starting line-up.

Fulham scored after just four minutes when Elvis Hammond was left with a tap-in after a header. The Town defence appealed for offside, but the goal was allowed to stand.

In a scrappy first half, the next real chance came on 33 minutes. Town's Liam Craig weaved his way into a good position on the edge of Fulham's box, but his shot was blocked by Ian Pearce.

Two minutes later, Town's Matt Richards wasted a good opportunity after getting himself into a good crossing position, he hit the ball over Ross Flitney's bar.

On 38, Antonio Murray produced a clever flick over Ian Pearce which allowed Daniel Flack to shoot from the edge of the area. Flack's shot was smartly tipped over for a corner by Flitney.

In the 41st minute, Liam Manning then got booked after pushing Fulham's Elvis Hammond to the floor.

In the one minute of stoppage time, Fulham's Neale McDermott shot from around 20 yards, only to see Manning block the ball and it was cleared.

Three minutes after the restart, Darryl Knights played in Daniel Flack, who only had one defender to beat, but Malik Buari came back to make a vital interception. On 50, Flack then shot over from 18 yards after getting himself into a good position.

Two minutes later, and Fulham came inches away from doubling their lead. Irish keeper Shane Supple had to come out and knock the ball away at the feet of Elvis Hammond, but the ball broke to Malik Buari who attempted a lob, which hit the bar, but Supple was back underneath his crossbar to calm his defenders down. A goal kick was given.

On 55 minutes, Liam Craig hit a good cross in which Ian Pearce had to put behind for a corner. The ball came out to Matt Richards who didn't make clean contact with his volley.

After the ball had been cleared, Town regained possession and Richards put in another teasing cross, which Aidan Collins almost got on the end of.

On 60 minutes, Buari crossed the ball in after Supple had come out to him. Scott Mitchell rushed back with Hammond waiting for an open goal to head the ball off his own line. Five minutes later, Fulham replaced Alex Lawless with Stuart Noble.

In the 68th minute, Ian Pearce and Adem Atay both raised their hands after Flack was through for Ipswich and Pearce had pulled him back. Referee Beck booked both players involved.

On 72, Town made a double substitution. Michael Synnott replaced Adem Atay and 15-year-old striker Kieron Leabon replaced 16-year-old striker Darryl Knights.

Six minutes later, Adam Green was booked for Fulham after fouling a Town player on the edge of his own area. Richards tried his luck from 20 yards, and forced Flitney into a good, low save.

Just after Richards's free-kick, the ball came through to Daniel Flack who was six yards out, but he blazed the ball over.

In the 81st minute, Elvis Hammond was booked for Fulham. He was blatantly offside and the whistle had gone, but he continued and fired past Shane Supple.

Soon after substitute Leabon raced through, but was forced out wide and his cross was behind Liam Craig. In the closing minute Town made their final substitution, replacing Chris Hogg with Ben Patten.

Town: 1 Shane Supple, 2 Adem Atay (13 Michael Synnott 72), 3 Matt Richards, 4 Scott Mitchell (c), 5 Aidan Collins, 6 Chris Hogg (12 Ben Patten 90), 7 Antonio Murray, 8 Liam Manning, 9 Darryl Knights (16 Kieron Leabon 72), 10 Liam Craig and 11 Daniel Flack. Unused: 14 Owen Garvan and 15 Jerrome Sobers.

Fulham: 1 Ross Flitney, 2 Liam Rosenior, 3 Adam Green, 4 Ian Pearce, 5 Liam Fontaine, 6 Billy McKinlay (c), 7 Malik Buari, 8 Neale McDermott, 9 Elvis Hammond, 10 Alex Lawless (13 Stuart Noble 65) and 11 Sean Doherty. Unused: 14 Robert Watkins, 15 Robert Milsom and 16 Matthew Collins. Referee: Mr S P Beck. Att: 386.

Photo: Action Images

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