Come on all you supporters get behind the team and come to the cottage today at 2pm for the Final. We want to show this group of talented youngsters that Fulham is the place to build their career and not leave us when they get the first offer from bigger clubs around europe.
With no other games, a last chance to spend some hours at the cottage before the long summer break and an early opportunity to see some of next seasons first team squad players.
With all the rumoured exits you can reassure yourself that we do not need to be rushing out and buying has beens or punts on championship players at inflated prices. so come on move yourselves and get out the door and down to the cottage scarf scarf Belgique 1499 1491 000en.gif :goalski:
I actually would have loved to have gone to this game if it was at all possible. I hope the young uns get a good turn out, any FOFers going?
i cant get up to the game is there any streams i can see it on ?
Fulham Football Club @FulhamFC
Our boys' starting line-up: Roberts, Brister, Grimmer, Pritchard, Kavanagh, Williams, Christensen, Minkwitz (c), Mesca, Altman, Woodrow #FFC
Fulham Football Club @FulhamFC
Subs for Kit Symons' lads: Banya, Sambou, Tankovic, Gameiro, O'Reilly #FFC #COYYW (Come on you Young Whites!)
No links for today? I want to have a look at Mesca play, he is meant to be phenomenal. BLAWHIARMY
Surprised Tankovic isn't starting, thought he was meant to be better than Woodrow. Good Bench though
Looks like a 442 today rather than a 433 which is usually deployed for the U18s. Would love to watch this but I feel it's unlikely, if someone could do some fishing around and find anything, I and probably a few others would be grateful.
Fulham Football Club @FulhamFC
20' There's been little goalmouth action as defences hold firm. #FFC's Josh Pritchard makes a crucial last-ditch tackle to deny Curtis Haley
Fulham Football Club @FulhamFC
25' Once again Ryan Williams leaves the Rovers defence in his wake but Cauley Woodrow can't latch onto his well-struck cross. #FFC 0-0 #BRFC
Fulham Football Club @FulhamFC
32' #FFC spend a few moments on the back foot & Blackburn's John O'Sullivan tees up Hugo Fernandez in space but he can only shoot wide. 0-0
Fulham Football Club @FulhamFC
36' Rovers asking the questions now, as Ryan Edwards' 19-yard free-kick hits #FFC's wall & Hugo Fernandez shows skill but drags a shot wide.
Fulham Football Club @FulhamFC
HT - #FFC finish the half on top, with Sean Kavanagh's free-kick crashing off the bar and Mesca firing agonisingly wide. #FFC 0-0 #BRFC
Pardon my ignorance but it this a one-leg or two-leg final?
One-leg.
So, do we have Roberts on loan again for this match only or have we signed him or what?
Quote from: The King on May 12, 2012, 03:02:47 PM
One-leg.
So, do we have Roberts on loan again for this match only or have we signed him or what?
The Twitter said this prior to kick off - "#FFC U18s goalkeeper today, Connor Roberts, was on the bench for Everton in last year's Final - and is determined to taste victory again." From the looks of that, he's permanant. Also, I'm not sure whether or not you can loan under 18 players.
Fulham Football Club @FulhamFC
55' GOAL! Fulham 1-0 Blackburn. A #FFC corner falls to Mesca, who screws back for Cauley Woodrow to stroke the ball into the corner! #COYW
Yes, cmon lads!
Fulham Football Club @FulhamFC
55' GOAL! Fulham 1-0 Blackburn. A #FFC corner falls to Mesca, who screws back for Cauley Woodrow to stroke the ball into the corner! #COYW
In the semi-final thread a poster said he was sat near Roberts parents and they said we are just borrowing him.
It's 2-0 now
2 - 0 get in there boys!!!! scarf
That's surely it. Great!
WhiteNoise any chance of finding out the attendance?
Does this League/cup thing have all the big clubs in it at the start?
Quote from: FatFreddysCat on May 12, 2012, 03:43:52 PM
Does this League/cup thing have all the big clubs in it at the start?
Yes we are just about to win the U18 premier league which would have had teams like Chelsea, Man Utd and Man Citeh, so its a great achievement.
Quote from: FatFreddysCat on May 12, 2012, 03:43:52 PM
Does this League/cup thing have all the big clubs in it at the start?
All Prem clubs except Wigan, QPR and Swansea along with 23 clubs from the Football League. So yeah, big clubs and the best academies like Southampton.
Red card for Blackburn.
Quote from: FatFreddysCat on May 12, 2012, 03:43:52 PM
Does this League/cup thing have all the big clubs in it at the start?
Yep
Here's an out of date table.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%9312_Premier_Academy_League (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%9312_Premier_Academy_League)
We've scored the second most goals (71) only behind Leicester (75). Then again our defence hasn't been the best with 48 goals conceded, being the sixth best in group A. Totaal sexy oranje voetbal though?
Champions !! scarf
Bloody hell what an achievement, very exciting times ahead if a two or three can make it through to the first team. COYWS.
Final score 2 - 0 great achievement by the lads and especially for Kit the future is looking bright well done FFC scarf yee-haw! 098.gif 077.gif
Quote from: FatFreddysCat on May 12, 2012, 03:42:58 PM
WhiteNoise any chance of finding out the attendance?
Initial reports suggest about 1500 but will try and get something official.
Ryan Williams with The Cup -
(https://p.twimg.com/AstM2bGCIAEx_5a.jpg)
And Cauley Woodrow -
(https://p.twimg.com/AstLx-XCEAM18H7.jpg)
And Lyle Della-Verde -
(https://p.twimg.com/AstQY9jCIAAlnky.jpg)
(http://www.fulhamfc.com/CachedImage.axd?ImageName=%2fImages%2fMainNews%2fNewsPages%2fPhotoSpecial%2f1112%2fAcademyVBRFC%2fsptaifulhamvblackburn11.jpg&ImageWidth=633&ImageHeight=500) and the team together ! 082.gif
You can also see the redevelopment to the stevenage road roof.
Academy 2-0 Blackburn
Saturday 12th May 2012
Goals from Cauley Woodrow and Ryan Williams saw Fulham overcome a physical Blackburn Rovers outfit to be crowned 2011/12 Premier Academy League Champions at Craven Cottage.
Kit Symons made just one change from the side that defeated Leicester City by two goals to one in the Semi Final a week ago as Josh Pritchard replaced the suspended Josh Passley in the heart of defence.
Captain Ronny Minkwitz led his side in a group huddle before Blackburn kicked the game off at a sunny yet blustery Cottage.
A high-tempo opening five minutes culminated in the game's first chance as a hopeful long ball saw visiting forward Hugo Fernandez in space down the right but the Rovers man fired wide after cutting inside onto his left foot.
Fulham's neat interchanges were in stark contrast to Rovers' robust approach which was typified when Jack O'Connell was booked after 13 minutes for a two-footed lunge on Ryan Williams.
Good work from Raheem Hanley down the left on 20 minutes saw the midfielder fizz a good ball into the area for Curtis Haley, only for Josh Pritchard to get the Whites out of trouble with a great tackle.
Fulham were enjoying more of the play but Blackburn were creating better opportunities and went close after half an hour when Fernandez drilled wide from distance.
The imposing Fernandez had skill as well as power in his locker and worked space for himself five minutes later on the edge of the area but, once again, failed to test Connor Roberts in the Fulham goal.
The Blackburn fouls were racking up as they struggled to cope with Fulham's silky play – with Williams in particular causing problems down the flank. Willian Beesley was next in the book for a late challenge on the Australian.
From the resulting free-kick Cauley Woodrow rose highest to make contact with Omri Altman's bending set piece but couldn't control his header which sailed well over the bar.
In the 45th minute Sean Kavanagh went within an inch of handing the Whites the lead after his bending free-kick deflected onto the crossbar before being cleared to safety.
Stoppage time in the first-half was only a minute but it was long enough for both teams to fashion another chance each.
First, John O'Sullivan beat Alex Brister down the left-wing but couldn't find a yellow shirt with his cross, before Fulham countered with Minkwitz, Altman and Na Bangna but unfortunately it was a similar story as Woodrow failed to get on the end of Mesca's ball across the face of goal.
The first decent chance of the second period fell to Haley who found space in the Fulham box but the big striker could only head Beesley's pinpoint cross onto the top of the netting.
Fulham dealt well with an early barrage from Rovers and got back into their stride after eight minutes of the second period when Ryan Williams' goal-bound shot deflected just wide from a corner.
Rovers failed to deal with the resulting set-piece and made the mistake of leaving Woodrow unmarked ten yards from goal. That was all the invitation the striker needed to clinically turn in Na Bangna's low cross to hand the Whites the lead after 55 minutes.
The strike gave the Whites a huge confidence boost and Na Bangna and Williams both drew saves from Rovers stopper Christopher Dilo in the following 10 minutes.
The list of Blackburn names in the referee's notepad continued to grow too as O'Sullivan and Hanley were booked for dissent and a late challenge respectively.
Rovers were getting increasingly frustrated but did draw a first save of the game from Roberts after 81 minutes when the 'keeper was forced to palm away Fernandez' fierce drive.
The Whites had the result in the bag though two minutes later when Williams scored his second goal in two games. More good work down the right from Na Bangna ended with the Portuguese youth international cutting back for Williams to easily slot into the near corner to double Fulham's lead.
Kit Symons had replaced goal scorer Woodrow with Corey Gameiro and the Australian striker was denied an almost immediate goal when his shot was cleared off the line following excellent attacking play by Na Bangna once again.
The afternoon went from bad to worse for Blackburn when a late challenge by O'Sullivan on Williams saw the Rovers man shown his second yellow card before captain Ryan Edwards was also cautioned for an off the ball incident with Gameiro.
Blackburn seemed resigned to defeat so Fulham were content to keep the ball until the final whistle sounded, when they were deservedly confirmed as Champions.
Fulham Team: 1. Roberts, 2. Brister, 3. Kavanagh, 4. Christensen (15. Sambou 87 mins), 5. Grimmer, 6. Pritchard, 7. Williams (14. Banya 89 mins), 8. Minkwitz (c), 9. Woodrow (17. Gameiro 82 mins), 10. Altman, 11. Na Bangna
Subs: 14. Banya, 15. Sambou, 16. Tankovic, 17. Gameiro, 18. O'Reilly
Blackburn Team: 1. Dilo, 2. Wylie, 3. Beesley, 4. Hanley, 5. Edwards (c), 6. O'Connell, 7. Cotton (14. Cham 69 mins), 8. Lennahan (15. Boland 45 mins), 9. Haley, 10. O'Sullivan, 11. Fernandez (12. Payne 82 mins)
Subs: 12. Payne, 13. Urwin, 14. Cham, 15. Boland, 16. Mason
.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/May/AcademyMatchReport.aspx#ixzz1uflu9RKy (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/May/AcademyMatchReport.aspx#ixzz1uflu9RKy)
Jack Grimmer with Williams
(https://instagr.am/p/KiI9FCwhp-/media/?size=l)
Quote from: White Noise on May 12, 2012, 04:49:10 PM
Quote from: FatFreddysCat on May 12, 2012, 03:42:58 PM
WhiteNoise any chance of finding out the attendance?
Initial reports suggest about 1500 but will try and get something official.
Well done everyone Just got back from the game, the whole of the riverside looked pretty full to me and I would guess that there was well over 3,000 regardless of what the official figures may say. Great game and a cup presented to a Fulham team at the cottage- a little piece of history there.
The programme notes for Connor Roberts say 'A new signing' so another gem pinched from Everton made some great saves. Maybe Moyes started the Dempsey rumours in retaliation. It looked like the First team squad were given the option to come and watch, it was great to see Murphy, Pog,Hangeland and Senderos among others to turn out, I even saw Danny sign some autographs which is encouraging but I did not catch a sight of either Dempsey or Dembele.
Josh Passeley was injured and couldn't play but still collected a medal ,my only concern is his omission from the programme notes as a member of the Squad? I think his contract is up this summer has he been poached already? he would be a real loss if a big four team have pinched him on the cheap
yee-haw! yee-haw! :drums: :drums: :wine: :wine:
I hope they stick that Cup next to the huge Inter Toto one... :005:
Must have been some proud parents in that crowd. scarf of 3000 (or whatever it was). If 3000?? more that te first team got in the bad old days.
Well done the lads!!! Congrats to them and Kit and his staff. Things are looking up. :yay:
Quote from: jarv on May 12, 2012, 07:25:45 PM
Must have been some proud parents in that crowd. scarf of 3000 (or whatever it was). If 3000?? more that te first team got in the bad old days.
Well I'm not sure what the capacity of the Riverside stand is but I'm guessing it must be 5000 at least and it was at good 75% full. If you cast your mind back to the Eufa cup early qualifiers it was the same as that less the Hammy end crowd and we were getting 13-18K for those games
I went to the game today too, and I'd say it was nearer 1500 crowd than 3000. Still, a pretty good turn out and not far off what the first team used to get in the bad old days! All the seats have been taken out of the 'enclosure' and scaffolding put up to start work on the JH Stand roof.
The team itself looked very strong to me. There were no weak links at all, and we certainly tried to play football the right way. I thought Blackburn were a bit more physical, but certainly played within the rules and our players will need to deal with this, and an other approach to the game.
I thought our full backs both looked very good, Minkwitz and Christensen ran the centre of midfield, the 2 wide men (Ryan Williams and Banya or Bangna (not sure)) were excellent. Woodrow, up front, certainly has a footballing brain and looks like a young Teddy Sheringham. All in all, the future looks very, very bright. I can see 3 or 4 of these guys making it in the Premier League - and the rest can surely earn a living at the game.
http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/05/fulham-premier-academy-league-champions-photos/ (http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/05/fulham-premier-academy-league-champions-photos/)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1PdMzhJY17k# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1PdMzhJY17k#)!
I went today, was an enjoyable game, we didn't really give Blackburn many chances, I think Roberts made about one save all game. Grimmer looked very calm at the back considering he's usually right back or centre midfield, was impressed with Pritchard as well who I think was the other centre back. Minkwitz was solid, never stopped running the whole game. I thought Christensen disappeared a bit during the game, same with Altman but i'm unsure whether cm is his natural position. Ryan Williams was probably our best player, always looked dangerous going forward. Mesca was very direct but final ball needs work. Woodrow was feeding on scraps most the game but thought he played well. Gameiro looked very dangerous when he came on.
Premier Academy Champions: Match Report
by CHRIS GILBERTSON on MAY 13, 2012[EDIT]
For the second year in a row, Fulham hosted the Premeir Academy League Final at Craven Cottage. Last year's group of talented youngsters that lost to Everton included Kerim Frei and Marcello Trotta, now of the First Team, and current skipper Ronnie Minkwitz, amongst others.
Having been unable to make it last year, with my father, I went along to Craven Cottage to watch this year's final. Fulham were up against a strong Blackburn Rovers side, which had topped the likes of Liverpool and both Manchester clubs to win the Academy League Group C.
As fans of the First XI, the chance to go and watch this talented crop of youngsters was too good to pass up. By charging just £3 for entry, there was a good turnout, with somewhere around 1500 people attending the game. Credit to, for Danny Murphy, who had led the entire First Team Squad in requesting their morning training session be concluded in enough time for them to take their seats in the directors box at Craven Cottage to lend their support.
Motspur Park is fast becoming a production line for good young footballers. There have been six academy debuts in the First Team this season (Frei, Trotta, Etheridge, Kacaniklic, Donegan and Dalle Valle) and with Martin Jol's stated desire to lower the average age of the squad, more can be expected next season. So, with our amateur scouting hats on, we sat down to watch what was a very entertaining match.
Fulham lined up playing 4-3-3, or rather, the 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 hybrid that has been adopted by the first team in recent weeks, with 3 central midfielders and two wide men, who can both sit back as midfielders, and attack as auxiliary forwards depending on the situation. It is intrinsic in successful clubs, that the youth teams play the same formation and football as the senior team. Whilst not quite the tika-taka football that Barcelona teach at their famous La Masia academy, manager Kit Symons has his team playing attractive fast-paced passing football that does not sit out of place with Martin Jol's overall vision for the club.
Both teams started brightly, with highly touted £500,000 January signing, Ryan Williams, miskicking Fulham's best early chance from twelve yards out. The lively Hugo Fernandez had the best of the early chances for Blackburn, but consistently failed to test Connor Roberts in the Fulham goal. Roberts incidentally was on the bench for Everton in last season's final.
An all-international midfield of German, Ronnie Minkwitz, Dane, Lasse Vigen Christiansen and Israeli, Omri Altman, all looked very comfortable of the ball. Minkwitz, skipper of the team, played the Danny Murphy role at the centre of the three, linking play in an almost metronomic manner. Christiansen, playing in the Mahammadou Diarra role, played short and long passes in an intelligent and equal measure. While it was the exciting talent of Altman, playing the Moussa Dembele role of creative midfielder, who looked the most comfortable with the ball at his feet. Indeed, were it not for a good last ditch block, Altman would have scored in the second half.
Following their relegation to the Championship, Blackburn are likely to be considering several of their Under-18s for senior action sooner rather than later. In striker Curtis Haley and midfielder Raheem Hanley, they have two players to keep an eye out for. It was a mark of the fine job done by Fulham's defence though, that these two and the ever-lively Fernandez were consistently kept at bay.
Another January signing, Jack Grimmer, fresh from first team action with Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League, marshalled the defensive line with the experience of a wily veteran. His loud Scottish twang was audible in the stands as he constantly barked orders to right back Alex Brister. Josh Pritchard, playing centre back in the absence of injured Josh Passley, displayed some excellent passing range perhaps indicative of his usual positioning as a right back or midfielder. Irish left back Sean Kavanagh, one of the technically superior players on display, came the closest to opening the scoring in the first half, his deflected free kick ricocheting back of the outside of the post.
Kavanagh hits the post
As the first half expired, left-winger, Buomesca Tue Na Banga, or "Mesca" as he is known, flashed a shot inches wide. It was then he, and right-winger Williams, along with centre forward Cauley Woodrow, who set about making the difference in the second half. Woodrow, who's blond hair and intelligent combative style reminds you of a Pavel Pogrebnyak, looks a fine prospect. When watching young players, work ethic, technique and footballing intelligence are all good indicators of future success, and Woodrow has all three. It was no surprise then, that it was he who opened the scoring after an hour, latching onto a superb low cross from Mesca.
As the match wore on, Mesca and Williams swapped flanks and continued to exude confidence and class, whilst possessing an unflappable willingness to run at defenders. It doesn't matter at what level you're playing, fast, direct running will always scare defenders. Just look at the impact Kerim Frei has had on international players like Johan Djourou and Branislav Ivanovic this season.
Mesca has lightning strapped to his boots, his pace only slightly let down by a need to improve final ball quality. Williams on the other hand looks more polished. A traditional right-winger, he has both the pace and the technical ability to deliver a cross and pass, that alone, will make him a valuable commodity going forward.
Celebrating William's goal
It was Williams, from a delightful Mesca run and cross, that showed the composure to tap home the decisive second goal ten minutes from time. Another Australian, Corey Gameiro, then replaced Woodrow, and was almost immediately rewarded with a goal; only a goal line clearance from Blackburn captain Ryan Edwards denied him.
In the closing stages, Blackburn had midfielder John O'Sullivan sent off for a second bookable offense. A shame as O'Sullivan had been one of the few Blackburn players to stay committed to the end, when others heads had dropped. Indeed, Raheem Hanley was then lucky not to pick up his own second yellow card for a foul worse than O'Sullivan's, but by then, referee Mr Nunn perhaps felt sympathy for the Northerners, who, having lost the FA Youth Cup Final to Chelsea on Wednesday, had endured a torrid week.
As the last few minutes elapsed, Fulham kept the ball, passing well and frustrating the forlorn visitors. Fulham were champions. The final whistle blew and it became official, Fulham were the best Under-18 side in the country and a trophy was coming to the Craven Cottage cabinet.
Jack Grimmer was the first to receive his medal, smiles beaming from nearly everyone inside the stadium. Nobody wore their smile with more pride than Minkwitz; leading your men to victory is the dream, and for Ronnie, it was one that had come to reality.
Champions
To see Fulham lift a trophy is something that we all dream of. When you consider the teams entering the Premier Academy League, and the value clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea, who we beat along the way, place in their youth development systems, this triumph really is one we should be proud of.
When watching youth football, it is normally the case that one or two players stick out from the crowd as being a cut above and ready for the next step. It is a mark of the job that Kit Symons has done, that one to eleven all looked impressive, both as individuals and as a team.
That being said, there are several members of this team that can expect to receive promotion come pre-season and into next year. Despite being perhaps the hardest position to emerge in as a youngster in a man's game, central midfielder Minkwitz looks set to have a good future and learning off Danny Murphy will do him no harm. The same for Woodrow, who I'd send to Russian lessons once a week in order for him to learn directly from Pogrebnyak on the art of leading a forward line.
Wingers Mesca and Willams are both impressive, with Mesca even being handed a squad number this season. Of the two though, I'd wager Williams will be seen first. With Frei and Alex Kacaniklic both playing on the left, Mesca will need to improve his delivery to make serious inroads.
The player that I'd promote first though, is Jack Grimmer. At centre half he belied his age. He is listed as a midfielder and reminds me of Chris Baird. The ability to learn off the likes of Baird, Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland will undoubtedly lead to good things for the Scot, who will one day surely go on to represent his nation's senior team.
Having picked out those five players, I am not serving to refuse promotion to the others. Altman and Christiansen in particular already have quality in abundance. Given the appropriate seasoning and experience, they will one day be lead to senior professional football, I hope, at Fulham.
Yesterday was a proud day for everyone at Fulham Football Club, and special mention to Fulham Deaf FC who also won their league. With several academy products likely to be involved at White Hart Lane this afternoon in the final Premeir League match of the season, the future is most definitely White.
COYWs
Fulham Team: 1. Roberts, 2. Brister, 3. Kavanagh, 4. Christensen (15. Sambou 87 mins), 5. Grimmer, 6. Pritchard, 7. Williams (14. Banya 89 mins), 8. Minkwitz (c), 9. Woodrow (17. Gameiro 82 mins), 10. Altman, 11. Na Bangna
Subs: 14. Banya, 15. Sambou, 16. Tankovic, 17. Gameiro, 18. O'Reilly
Blackburn Team: 1. Dilo, 2. Wylie, 3. Beesley, 4. Hanley, 5. Edwards (c), 6. O'Connell, 7. Cotton (14. Cham 69 mins), 8. Lennahan (15. Boland 45 mins), 9. Haley, 10. O'Sullivan, 11. Fernandez (12. Payne 82 mins)
Subs: 12. Payne, 13. Urwin, 14. Cham, 15. Boland, 16. Mason
Quote from: Scrumpy on May 12, 2012, 08:23:38 PM
I went to the game today too, and I'd say it was nearer 1500 crowd than 3000. Still, a pretty good turn out and not far off what the first team used to get in the bad old days! All the seats have been taken out of the 'enclosure' and scaffolding put up to start work on the JH Stand roof.
The team itself looked very strong to me. There were no weak links at all, and we certainly tried to play football the right way. I thought Blackburn were a bit more physical, but certainly played within the rules and our players will need to deal with this, and an other approach to the game.
I thought our full backs both looked very good, Minkwitz and Christensen ran the centre of midfield, the 2 wide men (Ryan Williams and Banya or Bangna (not sure)) were excellent. Woodrow, up front, certainly has a footballing brain and looks like a young Teddy Sheringham. All in all, the future looks very, very bright. I can see 3 or 4 of these guys making it in the Premier League - and the rest can surely earn a living at the game.
we did well considering the defence was a bit shuffled, Passley banned and Arthurworrey having a reoccurance of his knee injury. Pritchard is not a centre back and you could see that, got rolled a few times and misjudged some headers, as well as the non-existent marking when they had a free header. I'm still not impressed by Brister though, he got easily done too many times and fancied trying flicks and beating a winger in his own half.
I though Vigen had an injury the way he came out so much earlier than everyone, thought maybe he'd be having a little test run, but yeh faded after 60.
Best game i've seen Williams play in a Fulham shirt, complete menace down the right and you could tell he was getting on Rovers nerves. Mesca did his usual, if he could refine his crossing and he'll learn with age the right time to pass/shoot he could be something special, got that pace and works back really well too.
As for Altman, the game passed him by a bit, he usually has more of an influence playing off Woodrow but he didnt really do much negatively. Was gonna write a report but not sure if i'll bother with the one above
