Goals in each half from Jayden Quashie and Macaulay Zepa saw Fulham’s under 18s win 2-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers to register a second straight win in the Premier League Cup.
The young Whites stay top of the group after a gutsy display that first saw them have to quell a lively home side, who started on the front foot. Wolves left back David Osifo had the first chance – drifting dangerously inside off his flank – before shooting just past the far post. Fulham goalkeeper Dino Kaiser then produced a fine fingertip save to keep out a free kick from Conor McLeod.
Fulham initially struggled to fashion any clear cut chances but were given a great opportunity to hit the front when Basil Lubega was brought down in the box. Skipper Quashie took responsibility and sent home goalkeeper Josh Gracey the wrong way from twelve yards. Luca Picotto’s piledriver represented a decent opportunity to double the visitors’ lead on the stroke of half time but he couldn’t trouble Gracey.
The Wolves goalkeeper did well at the start of the second period to deny Aidan Evans after Zepa had played the attacking midfielder in with a wonderful pass. Zepa came close himself after bursting clear down the left flank but saw his eventual shot deflected wide of goal. Wolves continued to press with their best chance coming from another set piece as Kaiser did well to turn Mateus Mané’s fine free-kick over the bar.
Ali Melloul’s young side made sure of all three points with six minutes still on the clock. Farhaan Ali Wahid played in Zepa, who raced beyond a square Wolves back line and found the far corner with a fabulous finish. Ali Wahid then almost got his name in the scoresheet in the closing stages but was thwarted by a great Gracey save after a wonderful individual run.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS UNDER 18s (4-2-3-1): Gracey; Dayman (Lochead 86), Osilo, Ruddock, Olangunju (Marwa 58); Bradbury, Alfie White; Ballard-Matthews, McLeod, Rawlings; Mane (Ji 86). Subs (not used): Nyakudya, Greaves.
BOOKED: Alfie White, Olangunju.
FULHAM UNDER 18s (4-4-1-1): Kaiser; Simons, Picotto, Cooke, Nsasi; Quashie, Aidan White, Zepa, Ali Wahid; Evans (Wingate 78); Lubega (Khan 89). Subs (not used): Varney, Hall, Platel.
BOOKED: Quashie, Cooke, Kaiser.
GOALS: Quashie (pen 33), Zepa (83).
REFEREE: Thomas Durno.
