Fulham’s under 18s finished their pre-season programme by putting four goals past QPR in a comprehensive local derby win earlier this afternoon.
Despite dominating the first half, it took until after the interval for Steve Wigley’s side superiority to be reflected on the scoreboard. Jaylan Wildbore broke the deadlock before Michael Olakigbe added a second and a late double from Terrell Works put a more convincing gloss on the scoreline.
Wigley include five summer scholars in his starting eleven and Fulham quickly warmed to the task with an early curler testing the QPR goalkeeper. Wildbore was unfortunate not to open the scoring in the tenth minute when a strong run culminated in a goalbound shot that was bravely blocked.
Both Works and Wildbore saw shots blocked after bright pieces of approach play from Olakigbe, before Wildbore’s rising drive was tipped over the crossbar. Olakigbe breezed through the Rangers defence before teeing up full back Devan Tanton but his powerful drive comfortably cleared the crossbar.
Fulham did eventually go in front ten minutes after the break. Substitute Lemar Gordon picked out Olakigbe and, although the winger’s effort was well save, Wildbore snaffled up the rebound. Olakigbe deservedly doubled the visitors lead with fifteen minutes to play when he found the far corner from an acute angle after being released by a fine Delano McCoy-Splatt through ball.
Works added a pair of late goals – the second taking a cruel deflection on its way in – as Wigley’s boys warmed up for the start of their Premier League South season in fine style.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS UNDER 18s (4-4-2): Cant (Zapieracynski 74); Anthony, Harrick, Hawkins (Rossi 55), Bagan (Luzinda 55), Hamid (Sackey 55), Cotter (Hamid 66), Murphy (Antony 66); Trialist, Eisa.
FULHAM UNDER 18s (4-3-3): Allen (McNally 26); Tanton, Avenall, Antonsson, Parkes (Quarm 60); Okkas (Robinson 55), McCoy-Splatt, Parker (Gordon 45); Olakigbe, Works, Wildbore (Loupalo-Bi 60).
GOALS: (Wildbore 56), Olakgibe (74), Works (78, 87).
Everything but the final score?
Finished 4-0. Was very late when I wrote it, sorry. Will amend it now.