Fulham’s under 21s were held to a draw by Calvary in their opening fixture of the Kamloops International Cup – with the Canadian outfit winning 5-3 on penalties.
Hayden Mullins’ side are playing three matches in Canada as part of their pre-season preparations and began with an assured spell of early possession. A good move saw Lemar Gordon find space along the left flank and deliver a low cross to Terrell Works but the winger saw his shot bravely blocked by James McGlinchey.
Calvary took the lead three minutes later from their first real attack. There was an element of fortune about the opener with Niko Myronuik punishing a poor pass out from the back by striding forward and striking an effort that deflected off Samuel Amissah and left goalkeeper Michael Allen completely helpless.
Fulham might have hit back almost immediately but Kristian Šekularac lacked composure after Calvary goalkeeper Joe Holiday failed to deal with Gordon’s ball in, lashing a shot wildly over the bar. But Calvary had a goal disallowed when Chanan Chanda turned in a cross from Michael Harms from an offside position and went close once again when Sam Tabares somehow diverted an overhead kick from Myronuik just wide of the Fulham goal.
The young Whites picked the perfect time to equalise with Works slotting home superbly after being found by a searching pass from the impressive Chris Donnell right on the stroke of half time. The Londoners began the second period on the front food with Holiday’s brave goalkeeping preventing Callum McFarlane from touching home Oliver Gofford’s cross.
The game appeared to be petering out after a host of second half substitutions until Aaron Loupalo-Bi thought he had scored a stoppage time winner by guiding home a devilish corner from Tom Olyott, but Fulham’s celebrations were cut short by an offside flag. Holliday saved again from Callum Osmand in the closing seconds before Calvary secured victory on penalties by converting all five of their spot kicks.
FULHAM UNDER 21s: Allen; Gofford, Tabares (Nsasi 72), Amissah, Slade (Park 72); Donnell, Nwoko, Šekularac; Works (Olyott 72), McFarlane (Osmand 72), Gordon (Loupalo-Bi 72). Subs (not used): Underwood.
GOAL: Works (45).
