Corey Brown announced himself to the Craven Cottage faithful by scoring a superb solo goal but it wasn’t enough to help the Whites progress to the second round of the League Cup – as Charlton Athletic went through 5-3 on aggregate on the back of their first leg victory at the Valley.
The former Harrow and Wealdstone forward’s wondergoal after fifteen minutes was the undoubted highlight of this entertaining second leg. Browne stunned the Addicks defence by working a one-two with Gary Brazil, stepping inside Simon Webster, tricking his way past Steve Gatting and then skipping round Bob Bolder in the visiting goal to slide the finish into an empty net.
Fulham needed goals to overturn their first-leg deficit and Browne almost supplied a second when another bright piece of play saw him send in a cross that only just evaded Brazil in the centre. But Charlton were not shell-shocked by Browne’s brilliance for long. They drew level in the 25th minute when the dangerous Darren Pitcher, impressive whenever he got forward from the right back, whipped in a ball that beat both Simon Morgan and Jeff Eckhardt, allowing Carl Leaburn to head home at the far post.
Fulham pushed hard for further goals in the second half but Bolder saved bravely from Graham Baker and George Georgiou as Fulham exited the cup 6-3 on aggregate. Manager Alan Dicks professed himself pleased with his side’s performance after the final whistle, telling the assembled press:
“In fairness to the team, they worked hard, pressuring Charlton Athletic and competing all the time. But we all know we still need a man who can score goals. If we can obtain that player, it will undoubtedly help the rest of the side.”
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, G. Thomas, Pike, Marshall, Morgan, Onwere, Baker (M. Kelly 73), Brazil, Browne, Georgiou. Subs (not used): Haag.
GOAL: Browne (15).
CHARLTON ATHLETIC: Bolder, Webster, Minto, Pitcher, Bacon, Peake, Gatting, Lee, Walsh (Gritt 75), Leaburn (Grant 70), Nelson.
GOAL: Leaburn (25).
ATTENDANCE: 3,563.
