Fulham U21 vs. [Opponent] – Match Report

Our under-21s began their new Premier League 2 campaign with a narrow 3-2 defeat to Fulham at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium.

What happened

Ismeal Kabia was unlucky not to have earned his side an early penalty inside ten minutes. He looked to have been tripped inside the Fulham box after finding space, but the referee instead pointed towards the corner flag. Agustien’s inswinging set-piece looped too high for Maldini Kacurri to place, who could only head high over Alex Borto’s bar.

We were behind after 14 minutes when Aaron Loupalo-Bi tricked his way into Tommy Setford’s area, before providing a well-timed cut back to Tom Olyott to slot home the opener.

Olyott then returned the favour just moments later, as the attacking partnership linked up once more to see Loupalo-Bi through one-on-one against Setford, and placed the ball inside the near post to make it 2-0 to the Cottagers.

Louie Copley halved the deficit after 20 minutes of play. The youngster danced his way past a flurry of onlooking Fulham defenders to find Charles Sagoe-Jnr in a promising position. The winger did well to turn his man and blast home a venomous strike beyond Borto.

We almost equalised after half an hour played. Kabia showed strong determination not to give up on a loose ball and found himself with just Borto to beat, but the ball crept just beyond his reach for the striker to put enough purchase and precision to shoot his effort on target.

Kabia did, however, find himself on the scoresheet in almost an identical move of play just moments later. He used electric pace to go clear of Fulham’s last man, and this time, coolly placed his effort beyond the stranded no.1 to bring the game level before half-time.

Defensive duties were required after the interval. Setford had organised his wall well to deny Fulham substitute Jayden Quashie’s free-kick in a dangerous area, just before our ‘keeper was called into action again to palm Terrel Works’ close-range effort to safety.

But the away side regained the lead late on, after Ali Wahid weaved down the left flank to set Loupalo-Bi through on goal. The striker angled his body to score past Setford’s left and add his second of the tie.

We came agonisingly close to equalising once more with five minutes left of regular time, through Kabia, who forced Borto into a double diving save to deflect the pair of point-blank efforts away from any young Gunners follow-up pressure.

What’s Next

Our young Gunners continue their Premier League 2 campaign on Friday, August 22, as they travel to Loughborough University Stadium to take on Nottingham Forest. Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm (UK time).

Team News

Arsenal: Setford, Washington, Chief 59), Salmons, Nichid 89), Dudzak 89), Dudzak, Copy 73), August-Jrr, August-Jnr, August-Annous.

Subs not used: Nygaard, Oyetunde.

Fulham: West, dew, Essertive (Slade 62), Awessah, Aarojo, Gooff, Olyt, Olytt (Qaashie 62), Ridgeon 86), Loss, Losk, Wahid, by 80).

Subs not used: Underwood.