Tom Cairney, Jazz Richards and Liam Donnelly all found the net as Fulham stepped up their pre-season preparations with a 3-1 win at Crawley Town this afternoon.
The Whites had an early warning of Crawley’s capability when Roarie Deacon rattled the underside of the crossbar for the League Two side, before Cairney marked his first Fulham appearance with the opening goal after Matt Smith saw a header saved to put the visitors ahead. The hosts were quickly level with Izale McLeod picking himself up off the turf to convert a penalty after he had been fouled by Jazz Richards.
The Welsh full-back made amends for his error, however, thumping an effort high into the net after being released behind the retreating Crawley rearguard by an outstanding through ball from Ross McCormack. The rhythm of what had been a very watchable friendly was ruined by a succession of second half substitutions, but Fulham continued to create chances with Cauley Woodrow and Adam Taggart spurning decent openings before Donnelly rounded off the scoring with a low drive from eight yards after the home side had struggled to clear a corner.
CRAWLEY TOWN (4-4-2): Preston; Bawling (Young 65), O’Hanlon (Fitzpatrick 45), McNerney (Brister 80), Bradley (Ashton 56); Walton (Young 65), Smith (C. Sessegnon 80), Edwards (Barnard 65), Rooney (Fenelon 65); Deacon (Harold 65), McLeod (Barker 65). Subs (not used): Bishop, Richefond.
BOOKED: Rooney.
GOAL: McLeod (pen 17).
FULHAM (4-4-1-1): Bettinell (Lonergan 45)i; Richards (Grimmer 45), Kavanagh (Voser 59), Hutchinson (Burgess 59), Bodurov (Donnelly 59); Christensen, O’Hara (Tunnicliffe 45), Cairney (Hyndman 45), Kacaniklic (Cole 45); McCormack (Woodrow 45); Smith (Taggart 45). Subs (not used): Eisfeld.
GOALS: Cairney (15), Richards (43), Donnelly (90).
REFEREE: Tim Robinson (West Sussex).
ATTENDANCE: 2,215
