Second half strikes from Macauley Zepa and Tom Wingate ensured Fulham’s under 18s made a winning start to the Premier League Cup with an impressive win over Middlesbrough at Motspur Park this afternoon.
Ali Melloul’s young side bounced back from a disappointing London derby demolition at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend by dominating this contest in the New Malden sunshine. A well-drilled Boro defensive unit kept the Cottagers at bay until well into the second half with visiting goalkeeping Felix Elliott using his feet to make instinctive save from Wingate at the end of a prolonged spell of Fulham pressure.
Wingate went close again ten minutes before half time when his instinctive header from a fine Jayden Quashie cross flew fractionally wide of the target. Fulham goalkeeper Marco Underwood made two good saves from Middlesbrough forward Nino Collins, saving a firm header and fielding a long-range effort, to preserve parity.
Middlesbrough’s defence, expertly marshalled by Oliver Martin and McCartney Woodhouse, stood firm until ten minutes into the second period when a moment of magic from highly-rated winger Macauley Zepa broke the deadlock. The French forward drifted infield onto his right foot and squeezed a shot between Elliott and his near post to give the young Whites the lead.
Wingate got the goal his determined display deserved ten minutes later. The striker steered in Luca Picotto’s corner to make sure of all three points. Underwood did well to keep out a swerving shot from Anton Palmer in the closing stages and maintain his clean sheet. The young Whites return to league competition against Norwich City on Saturday afternoon.
FULHAM UNDER 18s (4-4-2): Underwood; Walters, Picotto, Cooke, Slade; Quashie, Ridgeon, Lubega, Zepa; Ali Wahid, Wingate (Platel 79). Subs (not used): Varney, Khan, Hall, Faux.
BOOKED: Zepa.
GOALS: Zepa (55), Wingate (65).
MIDDLESBROUGH UNDER 18s (4-3-3): Elliott; Muwena, Acheampong (Scott 72), Martin, Woodhouse; Greenup (Parker 79), Palmer, James; McPartland (Palmer 59), Smith, Nino (Ogunman 79). Subs (not used): Lloyd.
BOOKED: Palmer, Martin.
REFEREE: Scott Crowhurst.
