Fulham’s under 21s came back from a goal down to beat Birmingham City and maintain their perfect start to the PL2 season with an impressive victory in Stratford-upon-Avon this evening.
The young Whites began brightly with winger Farhaan Ali Wahid testing home goalkeeper Brad Mayo with an early strike, but Hayden Mullins’ side found themselves behind from Birmingham’s first attack in the seventh minute. Left winger Daniel Isichei was offered far too much time and space to drift dangerously into a shooting position and punished the visiting defence with a fine finish past Alfie McNally to give Blues the best possible start.
The dangerous Isichei came close to providing a second goal after getting free down the left flank once again – with the visiting defence fortunate that no Blues attacker was able to get a touch as his devilish cross flew right across the face of goal. It was a relief, therefore, that the young Whites drew level within five minutes of that let off. Ali Wahid worked a one-two at pace with Aaron Loupalo-Bi, stepping onto a lovely lay-off from the centre forward to sprint forward and, as the Blues defence stood off, equalise with a fabulous finish into the far corner.
Seth Ridgeon saw a terrific 25-yard effort fly just wide as the Cottagers began to dominate proceedings and Loupalo-Bi, fresh from signing a new contract earlier this week, gave the Londoners some breathing space with a brilliant brace before the end of the first half. The striker put Fulham in front with an excellent close-range finish after racing onto an excellent through ball from Tom Olyott and added his second four minutes into first-half stoppage-time by touching home after superb wing play from Ali Wahid, who had breezed beyond Alezandro Da Siva, to send in a superb low cross from the left flank.
Loupalo-Bi might easily have a hat-trick on another night. The in-form forward blazed over the bar after latching onto a lovely through ball from Chibby Nwoko and then cursed a lack of control as he tried to round Mayo in a one-on-one situation early in the second half.
To their credit, Marc Kennedy’s brave Blues kept playing until the end. McNally made a magnificent low stop to deny number ten Briar Bateman before excelling himself when he somehow kept out a stinging shot from midfielder Menzi Mazwi before Eddy Nsasi bravely blocked a goalbound follow-up from Isichei. Bateman did have the chance to set up a grandstand finale but he drove a shot over from inside the box with five minutes remaining.
The young Whites are back in action next Friday evening when they welcome Liverpool to Motspur Park in what already looks like a mouthwatering encounter.
BIRMINGHAM CITY UNDER 21s (3-4-2-1): Mayo; Burrell, Willis, Quirk; Da Silva, Isichei, Eubank, Mazwi; Gurnier (Wynne 63), Bateman; Tattum (Ruiz Rente 73). Subs (not used): O’Sullivan, Boayke, Maddox.
BOOKED: Isichei, Willis, Bateman, Willis.
GOAL: Isichei (7).
FULHAM UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): McNally; Gofford (de Jesus 69), Esenga, Amissah, Nsasi; Nwoko, Quashie; Olyott (Zepa 70), Ali Wahid (Slade 84), Ridgeon; Loupalo-Bi (Evans 84). Subs (not used): Underwood.
BOOKED: Amissah, Goffford, McNally.
GOALS: Ali Wahid (14), Loupalo-Bi (38, 45+4).
REFEREE: Lewis Sandoe.
ATTENDANCE: 50.
