A double from Mike Conroy firmly established Fulham’s promotion credentials as the Cottagers cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Cambridge United, who had won six successive league fixtures before heading to Craven Cottage.
The Scottish striker opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes with a poacher’s effort from inside the six yard box after wonderful wing play from Darren Freeman. He doubled the lead with a fierce finish into the top corner after a embarking on a superb solo run that took him half the length of the field and then turned down the opportunity to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Rob Scott had been brought down in the box by Dave Thompson, who was sent off. Central back Mark Blake coolly converted the spot-kick to put the home side three goals to the good before the break.
Fulham might easily have had a hatful in the second half despite seeing Terry Angus dismissed for a second bookable offence. Skipper Simon Morgan was denied a fourth by a superb save and Rob Scott sent a backheader fractionally over the crossbar. There was debut for Wandsworth-born teenage midfielder Sean Davis as a late substitute for the superb Scott as the Whites eased to a commanding victory.
FULHAM: Walton, Watson, Herrera, Cusack, Angus, Blake, Scott (Davis 87), Carpenter, Conroy, Morgan, Freeman. Subs (not used): Mison, Thomas.
BOOKED: Angus, Freeman.
SENT OFF: Angus.
GOALS: Conroy (4, 33), Blake (pen 44).
CAMBRIDGE UNITED: Barrett; Joseph, Craddock, Granville, Thompson; Wanless, Beall, Hyde, Raynor; Richards, Kyd (Barnwell 45). Subs (not used): Hayes, Palmer.
BOOKED: Raynor, Richards.
SENT OFF: Thompson.
ATTENDANCE: 5,791.
