A second half header from Callum Osmand rescued a point for Fulham’s under 21s in an end-to-end epic at Motspur Park at lunchtime.
The hosts had to come from behind twice with an adventurous Boro side taking the lead through Pharrell Willis’ early drive before winger Terrell Works’ close-range finish drew Fulham level. The visitors led again after George Gitau’s deflected effort beat Alfie McNally, but Osmand nodded in an inviting cross from Delano McCoy-Splatt to give the young Whites a share of the spoils.
Boro’s boldness was encapsulated by the manner of their opening goal, when the wily Willis scored a sensational goal, firing into the top corner after coming in from the right wing. They almost doubled their advantage from their very next attack when Ajay Matthews wasted a good headed chance from AJ Bridge’s ball in.
Fulham’s first fluent move of the match brought an equaliser. In-form midfielder Adrion Pajaziti picked out Osmand in space and the centre forward’s ball was clinically turned home by Works. Hayden Mullins’ side were galvanised by the goal, with Pajaziti powering a free-kick from range that was deflected over by the wall.
But Boro remained dangerous with McNally making a magnificent save to prevent Matthew Hope from restoring their lead as he bore down on goal, with the goalkeeper smothering the danger and pawing the ball to safety. He was helpless when Gitau’s drive hit a Fulham defender and rolled into the far corner.
Fulham Under-21s shared the spoils with Middlesbrough in an action-packed Motspur Park encounter.
An early strike from Pharrell Willis for Boro was cancelled out by Terrell Works, and after away side regained the advantage before the break, Callum Osmand bagged a second equaliser to earn a point.
Willis opened the scoring in spectacular fashion inside ten minutes, cutting in from the right to unleash an effort into the top bracket that left goalkeeper Alfie McNally helpless.
The away side had a chance for a second moments later when AJ Bridge’s cross was met by Ajay Matthews in the box, but his header was sent harmlessly wide.
Fulham found an equaliser after quarter of an hour with a slick move between the front three. Adrion Pajaziti slid the ball across to Osmand, who in turn fed Works to finish low past ‘keeper Shea Connor.
Pajaziti was then given a shooting opportunity with a free-kick in a dangerous area, but the Boro wall did its job to deflect the strike over.
McNally came to his side’s rescue when Matthew Hoppe raced through on goal and tried to take it around him, but the ‘keeper managed to claw away the ball.
However, there was little he could do when George Gitau worked the ball onto his left foot in the box and found the bottom corner via a deflection to restore the lead for the visitors.
The Young Whites responded as Delano McCoy-Splatt clipped a ball to onrushing full-back George Okkas, but the Cypriot’s half-volley whistled just wide of the post.
Hayden Mullins’ men tried to regain parity before half-time with George Okkas hammering a half-volley just wide, but Fulham were indebted to an outstanding goal-line clearance from Josh King, who somehow kept out Luke Woolston’s six-yard strike. The visitors more than merited a half-time lead, but Fulham were on the offensive with after the restart Osmand finding the side netting with an early sighter and Harvey Araujo rattling the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Just before the hour mark, McCoy-Splatt started the move that led to Fulham’s second leveller, winning a crunching tackle on the right wing and then found Osmand with a lovely cross that the striker gleefully headed home. Osmand was denied a late winner from another McCoy-Splatt ball but Shea Connor made a stunning save.
FULHAM UNDER 21 (4-2-3-1): McNally; Tanton, Okkas, de Fougerolles, Araujo; Dibley-Dias, McCoy-Splatt; Works, Pajaziti (Amissah 79), King; Osmand (Loupalo-Bi 78). Subs (not used): Borto, Avenall, Olyott.
FULHAM UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): Fulham U21: McNally, Tanton, De Fougerolles, Araujo, Okkas, McCoy-Splatt, Dibley-Dias, Works, King, Pajaziti (Amissah 79′), Osmand (Loupalo-Bi 78′). Subs (not used): Borto, Avenall, Amissah, Olyott, Loupalo-Bi.
BOOKED: Araujo, McCoy-Splatt.
GOALS: Works (14), Osmand (57).
MIDDLESBROUGH UNDER 21s (3-5-2): Connor; Lindo, Hannah, McCormick; Gitau, Bridge, Whelan (Howells 79), Woolston, Willis (Lennon 70); Matthews, Hoppe (Nkrumah 79). Sub (not used): Metcalfe.
BOOKED: Whelan, Lindo, Matthews.
GOALS: Willis (6), Gitau (26).
REFEREE: Jason Richardson.
