Captain Logan Cooke lashed in an injury-volley to give Fulham’s under 18s a last-gasp win over Leicester City in Sileby this afternoon.
The skipper’s instinctive left-footed finish from a free-kick in the fourth minute of added time ensured the young Whites headed back to London with all three points in the most dramatic of finishes. Ali Melloul’s side looked in total command during a dominant first half and deservedly went in front when Basil Lubega ruthlessly punished a dreadful mistake from home goalkeeper Freddie Marson, but were pegged back by Kirsten Otchere’s equaliser midway through the second half.
Leicester came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders with Dino Kaiser using his feet to prevent centre forward Lorenz Hutchinson from giving the Foxes a second-minute lead. The visitors gradually began to assert some control over proceedings with left winger Farhaan Ali Wahid forcing a pair of superb stops from Marson – the first seeing the young goalkeeper fly to his left to keep out Ali Wahid’s curling effort.
In an open contest, the away side were indebted to the bravery of debutant Archie Taylor, promoted from the under-16 side, who had an outstanding game alongside Cooke at the heart of the Fulham defence. Taylor brilliantly blocked Biz Owusu’s goalbound strike – and the hosts went close from the ensuing set-piece, with Kevon Gray disappointed to send a free header over the bar.
Tom Wingate should have scored when he was played through on goal by Alfie White but Marson made himself big to save and the Fulham striker saw his second attempt scrambled off the line by Alpha Diallo. But the young Whites weren’t to be denied as Lubega slid in to seize the ball from Marson as he dawdled over a clearance and slammed a simple finish into the unguarded goal.
Wingate sent a header over the crossing after a superb surge down the wing from right back Alex Faux before the visitors came ever so close to doubling their advantage. The excellent Ali Wahid dribbled away from all comers along the left flank before cutting inside and seeing his strike bounce back off the inside of the post. Macaulay Zepa did reach the rebound, but his effort was blocked.
Leicester grew in confidence the longer their deficit remained only a single goal and they began to pour forwards. There looked little danger when attacking midfielder Otchere took aim from outside the area but his powerful, swerving shot flew into the top corner – giving Kaiser absolutely no chance. The hosts suddenly had the bit between their teeth and should have scored another when Aluko Oblade’s outstanding run was let down by a scuffed finish as the winger fired wide.
However, our Young Whites failed to double the lead and were punished at the other end. A stunning strike from Otchere had power, placement and movement, flying into the top corner and leaving Kaiser with no chance.
Fulham regathered themselves and found a winner deep into added time. Left back Luca Picotto’s deep free-kick was kept alive by substitute Aidan Evans and Cooke crashed home the sort of finish a striker would relish.
LEICESTER CITY UNDER 18s (4-2-3-1): Marson; Aluko, Khela, Gray, Diallo; Page (Lawrence 45), Dyke; Owusu, Ombolaji, Otchere; Hutchinson (Aideed 68). Subs (not used): Daniels, Hibbins, Adedeji.
Our U18s are next in action at Chelsea on Saturday 2nd November, 11am kick-off.
LEICESTER CITY UNDER 18s (4-2-3-1): Marson; Aluko, Khela, Diallo, Gray; Page (Lawrence 45); Dyke, Owusu, Omobolaji, Otchere; Hutchinson (Aideed 70). Subs (not used): Daniels, Hibbins, Adedeji.
BOOKED: Owusu, Aluko.
GOAL: Otchere (67).
FULHAM UNDER 18s (4-4-2): Kaiser; Faux, Picotto, Cooke, Taylor; Quashie (Khan 43), White, Zepa, Ali Wahid; Lubega (Evans 63), Wingate. Subs (not used): Varney, Platel, Ellis-Robinson.
BOOKED: Ali Wahid.
GOALS: Lubega (36), Cooke (90+4).
REFEREE: Luke Watson.
