Michael Olakigbe’s winner secured a superb win for Fulham’s under 18s at Aston Villa this afternoon and extended the young Whites’ winning run to five consecutive matches.

The pacey winger fired into the far corner emphatically with nine minutes remaining in the first half at Bodymoor Heath after beating his man having collected a clever pass from Terrell Works. Ali Melloul’s men could easily have constructed a far more comfortable advantage by the end of a game they went on to dominate but the Londoners failed to take a number of presentable opportunities.

With several of his regular starters involved for the under 23s at Middlesbrough last night, Melloul gave promising under-16 players Lemar Gordon and Luc De Fougerolles a start whilst Bradley de Jesus, Ollie Gofford, Jonathan Esenga and Montague Conway were handed spots on the bench. It took a while for a youthful side to settle but they gradually established a firm grip on proceedings with Stefan Parkes a particular threat with a number of marauding runs along the left flank.

Fulham took the lead with a wonderfully worked move that saw Works locate the lively Olakigbe with a precise pass. The England youth international produced a brilliant bit of skill to outwit a defender and drove decisively into the far corner. The young Whites might have doubled their lead when centre half Xavier Benjamin’s goalbound volley from a corner was blocked by a Villa defender.

The home side weren’t out of proceedings, however, with Michael Allen pulling off an excellent reaction save to keep out Kobei Moore after space opened up for the Villa substitute. de Jesus, capped by England at under-16 level, tested James Wright twice in quick succession after showing off some sublime footwork and, although the young Whites were unable to extend their advantage, they held on to record another impressive victory.

ASTON VILLA UNDER 18s (4-4-2): Wright; Ealing, Rhoades, Duerden, Alcock; O’Reilly (Tristan Rowe 72), McBride, Young, Sewell; Shakpoke (Kellyman 31), Teddy Rowe (Moore 62). Sub (not used): Lewis.

BOOKED: McBride, Ealing.

FULHAM UNDER 18s (4-2-3-1): Allen; de Fougerolles, Parkes, Araujo, Benjamin; Okkas, McCoy-Splatt; Olakigbe, Gordon (Gofford 66), Works (Parker 78); Loupalo-Bi (de Jesus 68). Subs (not used): Conway, Essenga.

BOOKED: Parker, Olakigbe.

GOAL: Olakigbe (36).

REFEREE: Gareth Davis.