Two goals in a first half minute from Simon Morgan and Rob Scott fired Fulham to an impressive win over promotion-chasing Chester City at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
The Whites punished two dreadful defensive lapses to bounce back from their slender defeat at play-off chasing Hereford United. Skipper Morgan set Fulham on the way to victory when he lobbed the stranded visiting goalkeeper Billy Stewart after a cute chip forward had outfoxed Chester’s three centre backs. Within a minute, it was 2-0. Confusion between Stewart and centre back Spencer Whelan allowed Scott to head the simplest of seconds as the City back line argued over who was supposed to cut out Paul Brooker’s cross.
Kevin Ratcliffe quickly replaced Whelan with centre forward Kevin Noteman – a tacit admission that his switch to a back five had badly backfired. Chester did improve after the interval but were unable to get the goals that would have made a game of it. Their best opportunity came in the final minute of normal time when Fulham’s on-loan defender Gary Simpson nearly turned the ball into his own net.
OALS: Scott, Morgan.
ATTENDANCE: 3,777.
FULHAM (4-4-2): Lange; Simpson, Herrera, Angus, Blake; Marshall, Morgan, Thomas, Brooker; Conroy, Scott. Subs (not used): Hamsher, Mison, Hamill.
GOALS: Morgan (8), Scott (9).
CHESTER CITY (5-3-2): Stewart; Davidson, Whelan (Noteman 25), Jackson, Burnham (Rogers 72); Fisher, Priest, Richardson; Rimmer, Milner (Murphy 72).
BOOKED: Brien, Jackson.
REFEREE: David Orr (Worcestershire).
ATTENDANCE: 3,777.
