REPORT | WEALDSTONE 0-2 FULHAM U21s

A cold Tuesday night under the lights saw the Stones take on Fulham u21’s in the National League Cup.

After a huge upset on the weekend at Grimsby, Matt Taylors side were lookimg to build momentum and get their first back-to-back wins this season. Fulham travelled to the Vale looking to make up for their last outing in the National League cup, where they lost 2-20 to Maidenhead.

The first 15 saw Fulham have the only chances of game, after finding space out wide, but no one could apply the finishing touch to any of the crosses.

Ten minutes later, Fulham had a fantastic opportunity to take the lead after they find space again out wide and a good delivery found the white shirt, but the shot was denied by a last ditch save by Jacob Adams, who did well to tip it over the bar.

The game ramped up in action, as the Stones had their first proper chance of the game two minutes later. However, similarly to Adams save, the Fulham keeper tipped Ashford’s header over the bar.

At the 30-minute mark, Taylor made his first change of the game, replacing Enzio Boldewijn with Kallum Cesay.

The Stones started growing into the game following the change, and in the 38th minute, Sam Ashford was slipped in behind in the box, but couldn’t find the target.

However, it would be Fulham who took the lead in the 43rdminute of the game. A nice bit of link up play in the box left Callum Osmand in space, and he rifled his shot into the bottom left corner.

One minute later, Fulham doubled their lead on the night. Terrell Works was adjudged to be fouled in the box by Kallum Cesay, as the ref pointed to the spot. Despite a great initial save, the ball fell right back to Works, who blasted it into the net.

At halftime, Taylor made two more changes. Anthony Georgiou and Sean Adarkwa came on in place of JaydnMundle-Smith and Sam Ashford.

The first 15 minutes of the second half was a tight contest, with each team going back and forth, but failing to capitalise on any attacks. Fulham’s number 9, Aaron Loupalo-Bi, failed to capitlise on a three on two situation.

In the 67th minute, the Stones had their biggest chance of the game. A ball into the box deflected nicely into the path of Henry Sandat, but he was denied from very close range.

15 minutes left of the game and Fulham came inches away from making it three. Kristian Sekularac fancied his luck from outside the box, and his strike was just kept out by Adams with a brilliant diving save to deny the young midfielder.

With their last attack of the game, Works missed a golden opportunity to double his goal tally and wrap up the game for Fulham. He latched onto a loose ball in the Stones defence and was one-on-one, but Adams denied Works from taking it round him.

That would be the final meaningful act of the game, as Fulham u21’s leave the Vale with a victory.

WEALDSTONE: Adams, Boldewijn (Cesay 30’), Dyer, Mundle-Smith (Georgiou 45’), Mason, Scott, Wells-Morrison, Sandat (Kretzschmar 67’), Obiero, Ashford (Adarkwa 45’), Trialist.

REPORT BY MAX ALLISON