A second half double from Callum Osmand helped Fulham’s under 21s come from behind to beat Leeds United at Motspur Park last night to register a fourth win in succession.
The hosts showed some character to shrug off the early setback of going behind within five minutes to largely dominant the contest with Welsh youth international Osmand showcasing his quality by levelling the scores with a superb individual effort before securing the points with his second of the evening eighteen minutes from time.
The relief at the final whistle was in stark contrast to a terrible start as Fulham’s back line was caught horrible square by a through ball from Sam Chambers. Josh McDonald’s intelligent run saw him through on goal and the winger’s clever chip over an onrushing Alex Borto gave Leeds the lead.
Terrell Works threatened a quick reply with a strong run but his eventual shot was blocked before Kristian Sekularac saw his effort from Aaron Loupalo-Bi’s cross deflected just wide of the target. Chris Donnell then thudded a powerful header against the crossbar from Sekularac’s free-kick as the visiting defence came under serious pressure. Sekularac looked the most likely source of an equaliser but, although his corner caught out Leeds goalkeeper Rory Mahady, Eddy Nsasi couldn’t supply the finishing touch at the far post.
Osmand saw a strike from the edge of the box bravely blocked by Dan Toulson before he fired wide having worked a similar opening for himself. It might have been worse for Fulham but for a fine save from Borto, who did brilliantly to get fingertips to a deflected free-kick from Rhys Chadwick just before the half-time whistle.
The pattern of the first half continued after the resumption with Hayden Mullins’ side proving relentless in search of a leveller. Mahady spread himself to deny Works three minutes in the second period, but it looked straightforward to the in-form Loupalo-Bi to net the follow-up but the striker somehow blazed over from ten yards. Fulham kept their composure and were rewarded when Osmand produced a sublime strike eight minutes in the second half after collecting a clever pass from Works. He worked the ball onto his right foot and fired past the Leeds goalkeeper with real venom.
Loupalo-Bi lashed over shortly afterwards having burst through the middle of the pitch and it was the lively striker who bustled his way to the byline before cutting the ball back for Osmand to grab his second with an assured first-time finish. Leeds roused themselves as they went in search of a late equaliser. McDonald fired into the side netting from an acute angle, but their hopes of getting something out of the game were dented when Chadwick was shown a second yellow card after raising his fists in an off-the-ball altercation deep into stoppage time.
FULHAM UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): Borto; Gofford, Nwoko, Nsasi, Park; Donnell, Sekularac; Osmand, Works, Gordon (Khan 90+2); Loupalo-Bi (Olyott 90+2). Subs (not used): Underwood, Picotto, Schuttler.
GOALS: Osmand (53, 73).
LEEDS UNITED UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): Mahady; Richards, Bird, Lopata-White, Toulson; Chadwick, Creswell; Douglas (Lane 76), McDonald, Snowdon; Chambers (Vincent 65). Subs (not used): Grainger, Dudley, Pickles.
BOOKED: Snowdon, Chadwick, Richards.
SENT OFF: Chadwick (90+5).
GOAL: McDonald (5).
REFEREE: Andrew Humphries.
