A last-minute leveller from Luke Harris saw Fulham’s under-21s earn a draw in the local derby against Chelsea at Kingsmeadow this evening.
Leo Castledine twice put the Blues in front but strikes from in-form Welsh youth internationals Callum Osmand and the highly-rated Harris gave Hayden Mullins’ side a share of the spoils in an entertaining end-to-end contest. Mullins selected an experienced side for the SW6 derby with George Wickens, Idris Odutayo, Tyrese Francois and Adrion Pajaziti returning to the starting eleven, whilst promising left-back Bradley Slade made his first start at this level.
Former Juventus midfielder Kristan Šekularac had the first sight of goal after intercepting a poor kick from Chelsea goalkeeper Max Merrick, but terrific anticipation from Brodi Hughes denied the Swiss youth international the opportunity of finding the net. The home side took the lead from their first opportunity five minutes in as Slade’s sloppy ball was seized upon by Ronnie Stutter who squared for Castledine to slot into the unguarded net.
Devan Tanton, fresh from his senior debut, then did brilliantly to prevent Fulham from going 2-0 down. The Colombian right back slid in to deny Sutter, who looked likely to test Wickens as he bore down on goal. The game then drifted into a stalemate with both sides enjoying possession without too much penetration. Harris found a pocket of spae out wide but his cross was well gathered by Merrick, before Sam Rak-Sakyi saw an effort blocked.
The visitors levelled nine minutes before the interval. Skipper Ollie O’Neill sauntered along the left flank and supplied a lovely low ball that Osmand turned home with an instinctive first-time finish at the near post. The equaliser, which arrived almost of nothing, sparked a response from Chelsea. Stutter sent a fierce half-volley fractionally over Wickens’ crossbar before Somto Boniface also drove over the top as well.
It looked as if an intriguing contest would be evenly poised at half time but Chelsea regained the lead in the fourth minute of added time. A marvellous move saw Dylan Williams drive into the penalty area and the defender’s low delivery allowed Castledine to score his second of the evening.
The hosts had the first opportunity after the break with Stutter sending a rasping drive into the side netting from Hughes’ pass but Fulham remained a threat on the break with substitute Chris Donnell sending a header over the bar only a few minutes after being sent on by Mullins. Chelsea did spurn a couple of glorious chances to open-up a two-goal cushion, however, as Wickens spread himself superbly to save Jimmy-Jay Morgan’s effort as the former Southampton striker bore down on goal before Odutayo blocked Stutter’s follow-up.
Castledine could have claimed his hat-trick with ten minutes to play but he shot wide, with Donnell’s long-range volley easily held by Merrick as Fulham continued to press for an equaliser. The home side were punished for sitting back on their slender lead with seconds of normal time remaining as he fired home from the edge of the area having been teed up by O’Neill’s ball across the box.
CHELSEA UNDER 21s (3-4-1-2): Merrick; Brooking, Gilchrist, D. Williams; Hughes, Boniface, Rak-Sakyi (Taurianen 74), Matos; Castledine, Morgan (McNeilly 68); Stutter (George 78). Subs (not used): Campbell, Gee.
BOOKED: D. Williams, Matos, Castledine, McNeilly.
GOAL: Castledine (5, 45+4).
FULHAM UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): Wickens; Tanton, Slade, Araujo, Odutayo (J. Williams 72); Pajaziti (Donnell 59), Pajaziti; Šekularac (Lanquedoc 59), O’Neill, Harris; Osmand (Loupalo-Bi 67). Subs (not used): McNally.
BOOKED: Odutayo, Slade, Tanton, Harris, O’Neill.
GOALS: Osmand (36), Harris (90).
REFEREE: Aji Ajiboli.
Ehome with a tidy first-time finish. That strike helped us to a solid point against our rivals.
