Ollie Sanderson scored twice as Fulham’s under 18s thumped Aston Villa 4-1 at Motspur Park this afternoon.
The young Whites took less than a minute to go in front with right back Devan Tanton racing down field and whipping in a dangerous cross that Jaylan Wildbore couldn’t turn home, but Michael Olakigbe was on hand to force home from close range. Wildbore then missed a glorious chance to double the lead when he fired a terrific cross from the lively Olakigbe wide at the back post before Sanderson was denied by a brilliant reaction save from Oliwier Zych in the Villa goal.
The visitors equalised from their first serious attack. The impressive Tommi O’Reilly rifled a brilliant strike past Alfie McNally from outside the area in the bottom corner – with the home goalkeeper standing little chance. The leveller enlivened Fulham, with Wildbore restoring the lead within two minutes. The former Burton Albion forward scored a superb individual goal, driving deep into Villa territory after being found by Olakigbe, and driving home with real aplomb.
The second half was a much tighter affair, but this time Steve Wigley’s side took their chances and made sure of the win. Delano McCoy-Splatt’s rasping strike from distance rattled the woodwork, but fell kindly for Sanderson who tucked home the rebound. The pair combined again for the fourth when Sanderson got on the end of McCoy-Splatt’s lovely defence-splitting pass and poked past the stranded goalkeeper to ensure the young Whites recorded their third consecutive win.
FULHAM UNDER 18s (4-2-3-1): McNally; Tanton, Araujo, Antonsson (de Fougerelles 69), C. Robinson; McCoy-Splatt, Lanquedoc; Olakigbe, Wildbore (Parker 74), Sanderson (Loupalo-Bi 80). Subs: Caton, Allen.
BOOKED: Lanquedoc.
GOALS: Olakigbe (1), Wildbore (23), Sanderson (61, 73).
ASTON VILLA UNDER 18s (4-4-2): Zych; Barber, Ealing, McBride (Pierre 72), Munroe; A. O’Reilly, Jay-Hart, Burchill, Afoka (Moore 69); Sewell, T. O’Reilly (Alcock 78). Subs (not used): Wright.
GOAL: T. O’Reilly (21).
