Brodie Dair and Markuss Gomins grabbed the goals as Fulham’s under 18s came from behind to beat Leicester City yesterday afternoon.
The Whites began brightly with both Dair and Aidan Evans aiming speculative strikes at the Foxes goal within the first ten minutes, Leicester soon opened up the visiting defence and Lorenz Hutchinson’s shot was diverted wide by an alert Quinn Schutter. Hutchinson was then thwarted by a smart save from Ollie Mayer, who used his feet to keep out the centre forward’s effort at his near post.
Ali Melloul’s side played patient possession football had to wait until the half hour mark to create their first real opening. Dair should have scored but he headed over the bar from six yards after connecting with Tarrell Cavell’s clever cross. The hosts went straight down the other end and opened the scoring as Riley Carr found the bottom corner with an measured finish after more excellent centre forward play from Hutchinson.
But Fulham were level within four minutes as Scottish under-17 international Dair pounced from close range to beat Foxes goalkeeper Freddie Marson after an Alfie White effort deflected into his path. The home side came out after the interval keen to re-establish their advantage but Mayer made another brilliant block to deny Hutchison after Carr had found the striker unmarked six yards out.
Fulham almost went in front in fortuitous circumstances when Marcell Hall’s inswinging corner completely deceived Marson, with the ball thudding into the near post. The Whites went even closer when Cavell crashed a powerful right-footed strike against the crossbar. Melloul’s men were now piling pressure on the Leicester goal and the home defence caved in when Gommins headed home White’s corner with the help of a couple of deflections. The visitors held on to start the new U18 Premier League campaign with a precious three points.
LEICESTER CITY UNDER 18s (4-2-3-1):Â Marson, Aideed, Daniels, Diallo, Toko; Lawrence, de Lisle; Carr, Owusu (Fletcher 76), Motsi (Corden 60); Hutchinson. Subs (not used):Â Armour Dignum, Stretton, Manyumba.
GOAL: Carr (31).
FULHAM UNDER 18s (4-2-3-1): Mayer; Benchaita, Hall, Cooke, Schutter; Khan (Gomins 62), White; Cavell, Sutton-Bangura (Deagle 62), Evans; Dair (Lubega 84). Subs (not used): Bagot, Cliff.
GOALS: Dair (35), Gomins (67).
