Fulham’s Reserve team bounced back from last week’s defeat at the hands of Southampton in style with a gutsy win over neighbours Chelsea.
Yinka Casal scored the only goal of the match in first half injury time. A well-delivered Fulham free kick was nodded down in the Chelsea penalty area by Robert Watkins, who had posed an aerial threat all night, and Casal was on hand to place his effort into the top corner.
In a tough encounter, Fulham had the better of the first half and put together some good pieces of play. The goal was a just reward for their performance over the opening 45 minutes.
The home side upped their tempo in the after the break and forced the Whites on to the back foot. Fortunately, Chelsea were unable to break through a dogged and organised Fulham defence.
Speaking after the match, Reserve Team Manager, Billy McKinlay was pleased with his team’s display.
“Ray Lewington and myself are absolutely delighted,” he said. “We asked for a response from last week’s poor performance and to put them under a wee bit of pressure.
“They were all disappointed after last week and this performance shows that they’ve got a bit about them. They were under the cosh a bit in the second half but they produced a good performance. We could not ask for any more from the guys, it was a really young side and they came through with flying colours.”
FULHAM RESERVES (4-5-1): Warner; Ottley (Miguil 55), Green, Watkins, Moncur; Milson, James (Goncalves 74), Brown, Timlin, Casal; Ehui (Sankoh 87). Subs (not used): Davidson, Orelaja.
GOAL: Casal (45).
