Fulham ground a gritty win over a spirited Scarborough side with Nick Cusack’s scrappy goal proving enough to claim all three points at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
New signing Rob Scott made an immediate impression on his debut after arriving from Sheffield United on Thursday after being recommended to Ian Branfoot by Dave Bassett. The Epsom born 22 year-old chased a lost cause in the form of Danny Bolt’s hopeful ball down the flank, forcing visiting skipper Jason Rockett to wildly overhit a backpass towards goalkeeper Ian Ironside. Ironside skied a clearance high into the air in a desperate attempt to prevent the ball from going out for a corner and fumbled his attempt at a catch, allowing Scott to cross for Cusack to drive in the only goal of the game.
The comedic element of the decisive goal was virtually the only highlight of a forgettable ninety minutes. Branfoot had brutally axed Tony Lange and Mike Conroy following Fulham’s Auto Windscreens Shield exit in midweek but the Whites failed to string successive passes together during a turgid first half. Things improved after the interval when Gary Brazil added some class to the midfield and linked up well with Duncan Jupp down Fulham’s right flank.
Chances were few and free between with goalscorer Cusack and centre back Terry Angus spurning the best opportunities to increase Fulham’s slender lead from set pieces. Speaking after the final whistle, Branfoot praised Scott’s showing and felt his side just about deserved the victory that lifted them to eighteenth in the Third Division table.
“I thought he [Scott] did alright. He has good the one essential factor that we need – pace. I thought we were worth the win, but it was two teams playing each other who were low on confidence and that is a big factor at this level.”
FULHAM: Harrison; Jupp, Herrera, Angus, Blake; Marshall (Brazil 45), Thomas, Morgan, Bolt (Hamill 70); Cusack, Scott. Sub (not used): Moore.
GOAL: Cusack (41).
SCARBOROUGH: Ironside; Knowles, Lucas, Todd (Hicks 87), Boardman, Rockett, Midgley, Charles, Trebble (Wells 77). Ritchie, Magee (Page 77).
REFEREE: David Orr (Iver).
ATTENDANCE: 3,557
