Substitute Udo Onwere came off the bench to score a second half penalty and earn Fulham a share of the spoils against London rivals Leyton Orient on the last day of the season at Craven Cottage.
Fulham’s slender success at Exeter City last week ensured that Alan Dicks’ side were safe from the threat of relegation – turning what could have been a nervy final day derby into a relaxing afternoon next to the River Thames. Jim Stannard made superb saves from Greg Berry and Chris Zoricich in the first half, before a deflected free-kick from Terry Howard wrongfooted the Fulham number one to give Orient the lead.
Gary Brazil brought a fine save from Paul Heald as Fulham looked to reply before the break before Jeff Eckhardt saw a far post header brilliantly beaten away by the O’s goalkeeper. Phil Stant drilled a shot over the crossbar from the tightest of angles as he tried to score from the rebound in what became a real goalmouth scramble. Justin Skinner started a marvellous move with a beautiful ball to find Stant on the right flank, but the midfielder miscued his sidefooted finish from seven yards as he latched onto the striker’s low cross from the right.
Johnny Haynes and George Cohen were paraded in front of the Cottage crowd at half time and the home side started the second period in fine fettle. Stant skimmed the crossbar with a rising drive from 23 yards shortly after the resumption before Peter Scott lashed a left-footed effort into the gloves of Heald from the edge of the area. Fulham’s equaliser arrived when Gary Brazil was scythed down in the box and seventeen year-old Udo Onwere, who had just replaced Skinner, tucked the resultant penalty past Heald’s left hand in front of the Hammersmith End.
Dicks complimented the White City teenager on his composure afterwards, but was tight-lipped about the future of the man Onwere replaced. Skinner’s introduction into the first team coincided with Fulham’s improved showings that secured their survival but the midfielder is said to be disappointed by the way Dicks dealt with him earlier in the season and has so far failed to commit his future to the club – with Brighton and Hove Albion said to be among the suitors for his services. The promising youngster, whose penalty at St. James’ Park last weekend secured Fulham’s survival, might well have made his last appearance for the Whites.
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, North, G. Thomas, Pike, Marshall, Newson, Scott (Cobb 70), Skinner (Onwere 60), Brazil, Stant.
GOAL: Onwere (pen 64).
LEYTON ORIENT: Heald; Zoricich, Howard, Day, Hackett, Bart-Williams, Carter, Castle, Nugent, M. Cooper, Berry.
GOAL: Howard (33).
REFEREE: Paul Alcock (Leicestershire).
ATTENDANCE: 6,590.
