A Gordon Davies double delivered a vital win for Fulham over Notts County on a wet and windy night at Craven Cottage this evening – keeping the Whites in the promotion picture.
County’s four-match winning run came to an end in atrociously wintery conditions on the banks of the Thames as Ray Lewington’s men recorded their third consecutive victory over tenacious opponents. County hadn’t won a league game in the capital since they won promotion to the First Division at Stamford Bridge eight years ago and they spurned chances to go in front early.
In-form forward Paul Barnes, who had scored five times in his last four games, shot wide in the tenth minute after latching onto a lovely through ball from Phil Turner and it was somewhat against the run of play when Fulham hit the front in the eighteenth minute. A quickly taken free-kick by Peter Scott allowed Michael Cole to reach the byline and cross for his strike partner to finish first time and fantastically at the near post.
The visitors responded instanteously. Geoff Pike saw a goalbound effort deflect wide off Gary Lund before Turner hit the near post with a low drive. Barnes and Lund were then denied by Jim Stannard as County tried to find an equaliser before half time. Fulham had more finesse about their play in the final third but were unable to put the game to bed despite an outstanding display from Cole, who held the ball up well, and found his team-mates with a succession of superb passes. The Whites’ back four were resolute at the other end preventing County from piling pressure on Stannard’s goal – but the crucial second didn’t arrive until seven minutes from time.
Veteran Welsh striker Davies doubled his tally with a header in off the post from another Scott free-kick to the relief of the Cottage faithful. There was still a nervy end to proceedings when substitute Ian McPartland converted a last-minute penalty after a foul by Glen Thomas on Lund. The Whites held on for a precious three points that keeps Lewington’s side via much in the race for a play-off spot.
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, Thomas, Rougvie, Langley, Marshall, Scott, Skinner, Walker, Cole, Davies. Subs (not used): Wilson, Gordon.
BOOKED: Rougvie, Davies.
GOALS: Davies (18, 83).
NOTTS COUNTY: Cherry; McStay, Withe, O’Riordan, Yates, Law, Turner, Barnes (McPartland 73), Lund, G. Pike, Kevan (Johnson 73).
BOOKED: Withie, O’Riordan.
GOAL: McPartland (pen 89).
REFEREE: J. Carter (Dorset).
ATTENDANCE: 3,402.
