After last week’s ten-goal thriller at Pride Park, Paul Nevin’s men recorded a more conventional goalless draw at Kingfield on Wednesday evening. Having scored and conceded five goals in the first game of the season, Nevin stressed that the main aim of this match was to keep the defensive line tight.
With Forest crowding out the midfield and Fulham playing with a defensive brief, there were very few clear-cut opportunities for the Whites in the first half. Zat Knight came close to netting after he got on the end of a well-delivered free kick and Stuart Noble saw his effort run wide after pouncing on a defensive scramble.
The second half saw Fulham play a more controlled and composed game which certainly looked to be promising more goal action. However, the Whites’ chances of securing the win were dented when Sean Doherty was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle on the hour mark.
Doherty’s dismissal resulted in Noble being replaced by Adam Green as Fulham went to a 4-4-1 formation, leaving only Facundo Sava up front. Despite being a man down Fulham continued to play pressing football and with Sava performing well as the target man Fulham continued to create opportunities.
Indeed it was Sava who came closest to scoring for Fulham after he slammed a 20 yard shot narrowly wide following a 30 yard run.
FULHAM RESERVES (4-3-3): Beasant; Leacock, Harley, Knight, Hudson, Rehman, Fazakerley, Pratley; Noble, Sava, Doherty.
SENT OFF: Doherty.