Fulham’s under 18s recorded their fifth consecutive league win as goals from Delano McCoy-Splatt, Aaron Loupalo-Bi and Tom Olyott saw the young Whites ease past West Bromwich Albion 3-0 at Motspur Park this afternoon.
Ali Melloul’s men made a confident start with Lemar Gordon, fresh from signing his first professional contract, tried his luck from distance and succeeding in testing Albion goalkeeper Ronnie Hillingshead. The Baggies looked dangerous themselves with a terrific individual run from Sami Oluwatobi winning a dangerous free-kick but the set piece was drilled over by Eseosa Sule.
It was one of Fulham’s newest international stars who gave the hosts the lead on the half hour. McCoy-Splatt, back in under-18 action after making his international debut for Jamaica, won the ball in an advanced position and darted dangerously inside before finishing fabulously into the far corner. Brad de Jesus might have doubled the lead shortly afterwards had he had the confidence to go for goal himself after a strong run rather than look for a team-mate.
The home side had a fortunate escape before the break after Michael Allen brought down Sule after the Baggies forward had been played through by a fine ball from Oluwatobi. The Fulham goalkeeper made amends by saving Sule’s spot-kick after diving to his left – and the young Whites took a slender lead in with them at half time.
Allen saved smartly again at the start of the second half, repelling another Sule shot after the forward had worked some space in behind the Fulham defence. The Baggies looked determined to get back into the contest and fashioned another fine chance through a superb ball from Alex Williams that released Adriel Walker, who hammered his shot disappointingly over the top.
Fulham made Albion pay at the other end as the in-form Loupalo-Bi lashed in his thirteenth goal in seventeen league appearances with a low effort into the far corner of the net. The Whites suddenly looked rampant with substitute Callum Osmand drawing a smart save from Hillingshead before the wily Terrell Works fired just wide. Olyott rounded off the scoring in the third minute of stoppage time curling a lovely left-footed strike home after brilliant wing play from Works.
This comprehensive victory, which lifted the Whites into second place in the U18 Premier League South, was the perfect preparation for Fulham’s participation in the Dallas Cup in Texas next week.
FULHAM UNDER 18s (4-2-3-1): Allen; de Jesus (Tabares 80), Essenga, Park (Osmand 59), Amissah; Nwoko (Parker 80), Gofford; McCoy-Splatt (Olyott 66), Works, Gordon (de Fougerolles 59); Loupalo-Bi.
BOOKED: Allen.
GOALS: McCoy-Splatt (30), Loupalo-Bi (59), Olyott (90+3).
WEST BROMWICH ALBION UNDER 18s (4-2-3-1): Hollingshead; Nelson, Seans (Morrish 83), Mohammed, Sumnall; Williams, Kirton; Smikle-James, Oluwatobi (Love 63), Walker (Kone 83); Sule (Bostock 63). Subs (not used): Brady.
BOOKED: Williams, Love.
REFEREE: Colman O’Meara.
