Fulham’s under-21s survived a second half onslaught from Woking to win a five-goal thriller at Motspur Park this evening.
Hayden Mullins’ side, showing three changes from the team that beat Braintree Town through a terrific Terrell Works winner on Friday, produced a fabulous first-half display that saw them canter into a three-goal lead over the Cards. Works opened the scoring after a period of prolonged early pressure before setting up Farhaan Ali Wahid for the second and striker Olly Sanderson soared highest to head a third five minutes before half-time.
Captain Charlie Robinson, who is continuing his comeback from serious set of injuries, almost broke the deadlock but his diving header from Tom Olyott’s corner flew into the side netting. Olyott had an effort blocked, but Woking were now struggling to stem the time. It was no surprise when a brilliant ball from Chibby Nwoko freed Ali Wahid along the left wing back and the winger’s intelligent cut back was converted by Works.
Nine minutes later, the young Whites doubled their lead with Works playing in Ali Wahid, who lifted a lovely finish over the advancing Woking goalkeeper. When Sanderson climbed highest to make it three with a trademark header, that seemed to be job done. But we will know Fulham make it difficult for themselves.
The second half saw Woking reassert themselves and Luke Hall lashed a volley into the arms of Marco Underwood before the Fulham goalkeeper brought down Inih Effiong as he surged onto a through ball. The striker dusted himself down to roll home the spot-kick – and give Neil Eardley’s side some belief. Josh Osude then cut inside to crack an effort against the crossbar and Tariq Hinds twice went close from the flank before he supplied the cross for Tunji Akinola to score from close range with five minutes to play.
Underwood then made a superb save to stop substitute Aiden O’Brien from levelling matters and the young Whites just clung on to claim another important three points.
FULHAM UNDER 21s: Underwood; Gofford (Slade 75), de Jesus, C. Robinson (Nsasi 45), Amissah (Araujo 45); Nwoko (Walters 80), Quashie, Works (Zepa 60); Olyott (White 65), Ali Wahid, Sanderson.
GOALS: Works (21), Ali Wahid (30), Sanderson (40).
WOKING: Ross, Hinds, Tunji Akinola, Odusina, Parkes (Richards 60), Tim Akinola, Andrews (Turner 45), Beautyman (O’Brien 60’), Hall, Osude, Effiong. Subs (not used): Verga, Okoli, Drewe, Ward, Ashford.
GOALS: Effiong (pen 65), Akinola (85).
There was no time left for the Cards to equalise, however, but several players completed 90 minutes and a good test ended 3-2 to Fulham.
Next up, Bournemouth U21s on Saturday before the curtain raiser at the Laithwaite against Carlisle.
