Fulham’s under 23s fine Premier League Cup run came to an end at the semi-final stage as Terry Ablade’s late strike wasn’t enough to avoid a 2-1 defeat at West Bromwich Albion tonight.
The young Whites couldn’t recover a two-goal deficit despite their best efforts at the Hawthorns. Caleb Taylor headed Albion in front eight minutes before half time when he climbed highest to get a telling connection on a dangerous corner and the hosts doubled their advantage in similar fashion from another set play midway through the second period when Modal Faal nodding home.
Steve Wigley’s roused themselves impressively with Jay Stansfield missing the clearest chance shortly afterwards, but the striker scuffed wide of goal after being found by Sonny Hilton. Substitute Ablade’s long-range effort in the last minute of normal was deflected to give Fulham hope of a fightback, but the Baggies clung on to clinch a place in the final.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION UNDER 23s (4-3-3): Cann; Hall, Taylor, Nguepissi; Ingram, Gardner-Hickman, Andrews (Teixeira 83), Ashworth; Fellows (R. Richards 74), Faal (Malcolm 76), Castro. Subs (not used): Hollingshead, Shaw.
FULHAM UNDER 23s (4-2-3-1): T. Ashby-Hammond; D’Auria-Henry, Odutayo, Bowat, McAvoy; Page, Pajaziti; Hilton, O’Neill, Stansfield; Bowie (Ablade 62). Subs (not used): Borto, Williams, Godo.
