Fulham’s under 21s moved to the top of the PL2 table after cruising past Blackburn Rovers at Motspur Park this evening. Second half strikes from Olloe O’Neill and substitute Callum McFarlane followed Kristan Šekularac’s early effort, which helped to settle any early nerves for the hosts.
Steve Wigley handed a recall to Sylvester Jasper, who recently returned from an unhappy loan spell at Bristol Rovers, and welcomed back Kosovan under-21 international Adrion Pajaziti after injury. Fulham began brightly with Olly Sanderson shooting wide when well placed inside the area, but the visitors also asked questions in an end-to-end opening with George Wickens forced into smart stops to deny Zac Gilsenan and Harry Leonard in quick succession.
The young Whites looked sharp going forward and went in front following a flowing move in the eleventh minute. Jasper raced down the wing before feeding Luciano D’Auria-Henry. The right back’s clever ball reached Šekularac, who placed a precise shot past Jordan Eastham to score his first goal since signing for the Cottagers from Juventus in the summer. Wigley’s side could have doubled the lead but Sanderson was off target with a snapshot and Pajaziti was denied by a good save from Eastham in the Blackburn goal.
Jasper looked lively on his return to PL2 action, drilling an effort into the side netting after speeding along the left flank and Ollie O’Neill then shot fractionally wide of goal after latching onto a Šekularac cross that was just too strong for Sanderson in the centre. The hosts had completely dominated the first period, but the fragility of their slender lead was underlined when Leonard, who has scored five goals in eight league appearances this season, curled a lovely strike just wide after being afforded too much time in the area.
Fulham resumed on the front foot after the interval. O’Neill nearly grabbed the second from the hosts’ first attack of note but the Irish under-21 international’s effort was pushed away by Eastham with Ibane Bowat nearly converting the follow-up. The captain then saw a close-range strike blocked bravely by the Blackburn defence as Mike Sheron’s side dug deep to remain in the contest. Louie Annesley nearly levelled after spinning smartly at a set play and lashing a shot over the bar up the other end – and it became clear that the Whites needed another goal.
They got that breathing space with just over twenty minutes remaining. Swiss youth international Šekularac turned provider this time, beating three defenders during a superb run, before teeing up O’Neill, who rolled a lovely finish into the corner of the net. Still, Rovers weren’t finished as Kristi Montgomery powered a free-kick towards goal from a long way out, forcing a fine save out of Wickens.
Substitute McFarlane, who has made a real impact since arriving at Fulham in July, added a third ten minutes after coming off the bench. The striker tapped in his second of the season from four yards out after O’Neill had beaten the remnants of a tiring Rovers defence. The comprehensive victory means Fulham moved above Arsenal to top the PL2 table on goal difference, although the Gunners, Crystal Palace and Manchester City have a chance to respond with their games in hand over the weekend.
Wigley’s outfit – who extended their unbeaten run to six games – head to Liverpool next Sunday looking to continue their fine start to the season.
FULHAM UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): Wickens; D’Auria-Henry, Bowat, McAvoy, C. Robinson; Pajaziti (Williams 81), Dibley-Dias; Šekularac, Jasper (Godo 73), O’Neill; Sanderson (McFarlane 66). Subs (not used): Allen, Parkes.
GOALS: Šekularac (12), O’Neill (69), McFarlane (76).
BLACKBURN ROVERS UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): Eastham; Haddow, Batty (Nsangou 81), Gamble (Olsen 82), Annesley; Saadi, Weston; Wood, Gent, Gilsenan (Montgomery 45); Leonard. Subs (not used): Fyles, Dowling.
REFEREE: Yusuke Araki.
