Wednesday Fulham Stuff (06.04.11)

[White Noise]

Dickson Etuhu makes Fulham vow ahead of Manchester United clash


By Paul Warburton


Apr 5 2011




DICKSON Etuhu has predicted a 5-0 win for Fulham at Manchester United on Saturday – but the midfielder did it with a tongue planted firmly in cheek.

The Whites romped to a 3-0 triumph over Blackpool on Sunday with Etuhu doing the double of goals in both games this season against the Tangerines.

And the player is more than aware United face the game of the season down the road against Chelsea on Wednesday that could decide a place in the Champions League semi-final.

But apart from a Manchester side likely to make changes against Fulham, Etuhu's wink-wink optimism had a serious side to it after they moved to within two points of the top seven.

"We set our targets high," he said. "The manager expects us to win every game. And that's what we need, and that's what we have to believe.

"There is competition for places as well. We're getting a stronger team now. AJ (Andy Johnson) has been stepped down for Bobby (Zamora) that's harsh on him because he's been doing well.

"But that's football, and you have to have people on their toes."


Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/04/05/dickson-etuhu-makes-fulham-vow-ahead-of-manchester-united-clash-82029-28459404/#ixzz1IihvtSQx

[White Noise]

Head injury won't stop Fulham defender facing Manchester United

Apr 5 2011


By Yann Tear




AARON Hughes should be OK for Saturday's trip to Manchester United, even though he suffered his second painful injury in a week in Sunday's win over Blackpool.

The central defender, who overcame a shoulder injury picked up while on international duty to just in time to play against the Tangerines, had to go off early after a clash of heads left him with a bump on the head, feeling groggy.

But boss Mark Hughes is confident the hardy Northern Ireland defender will recover in time for the Old Trafford assignment.

"He had to come off because his vision was starting to be affected and he was struggling," said the Fulham chief.

"He's got a little bit of concussion, so we'll look after him and hopefully he'll be OK for the weekend."

[White Noise]

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/52332/Kamara_Arsenal_should_have_signed_Schwarzer.aspx


Kamara: Arsenal should have signed Schwarzer

Author:  Nigel Brown

Posted on:05 April 2011 - 09:42



Sky Sports Soccer Saturday pundit Chris Kamara has told Sport.co.uk in an exclusive interview that Arsenal should have tried harder to sign Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer during the summer.

Kamara brought Schwarzer to English football in 1996 while he was manager at Bradford City, before selling the Australian international to Middlesbrough, and Kamara thinks the Gunners would have benefited from the 38-year-old's experience.

Arsenal had two bids of £1.5 million rejected by Fulham with Arsene Wenger refusing to increase his offer for the Lilywhites goalkeeper.

While the Gunners have seen 20-year-old Wojciech Szczesny emerge as a future star, and 25-year-old Lukasz Fabianski shine during the campaign, Manuel Almunia has continued to make high profile errors. Kamara believes Arsenal could have benefited from a senior stopper and should have increased their offer for the international.

"I signed Mark Schwarzer from Kaiserslauten for Bradford City and three months later I sold him to Middlesbrough for four and a half million. Everton showed interest at the time." Kamara told Sport.co.uk.

"Bryan Robson was aware of Mark Schwarzer's abilities. I told Steve that they were getting a great goalkeeper. He has been a great servant to Fulham and he had one opportunity to go to a big club and win medals.

"He had been at Middlesbrough for a long time and only had a Carling Cup winners medals to show for his time there and the mileage was getting on the clock. While Fulham were wrong, Arsenal didn't do the right thing either because if they had offered to pay another £1m, then he would have gone.

"If you identify a goalkeeper who is considered to be worth £5 or £6m, then Arsenal should have gone for it. It has been proved with what's happened with Arsenal's goalkeeping situation. Mark would have been happy and Arsenal would have benefited."

[White Noise]

Driving Force


Tuesday 5th April 2011



During the first half of the 2010/11 Barclays Premier League season, when Fulham were without injured strikers Bobby Zamora, Andy Johnson and Mousa Dembele, US international Clint Dempsey led Fulham's line with aplomb and after his Team's 3-0 victory over Blackpool, Manager Mark Hughes paid tribute to the impact Dempsey has made in midfield and attack this season.

"Clint has been excellent this season," said Fulham's manager. "He's been very much at the fore for us and thankfully so because we've had difficulties up front with players being injured.

"Bobby Zamora was out injured for a long time and Andrew Johnson was also out injured, so it was important that someone stepped up to the plate and made an impression for us up front.

"I had to play him arguably out of position but he's done great for me up front. As we've got other players back I've played him on the left hand side and through the middle as well and in almost every game he plays, he either scores or creates something."

Hughes not only praised the impact Dempsey has made on the pitch but highlighted the characteristics that have made him such an influential personality in the Fulham dressing room.

"I say to all my players that every game they go in to they must have an impact on the game and be positive and that is what Clint is in every game he plays," said Hughes. "He's a very determined, single-minded character and his ability to get the best out of himself is there for everyone to see.

"He's a guy that drives himself and as a consequence drives other people – he wants to win, you can see that from his attitude and he's a great influence."


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/April/HughesPraisesDempsey.aspx#ixzz1IijQwiDU

[White Noise]

Finishing Strong


Tuesday 5th April 2011



Brede Hangeland underlined the importance of Sunday's impressive victory over Blackpool in a win he believes will see Fulham finish the season in confident fashion.

The 29-year-old defender insisted that his interview with the Club's official website would have read very differently too, had two goals from Bobby Zamora and one from Dickson Etuhu not seen off the travelling Seasiders.

"I think we all knew the importance of this game," admitted Hangeland to fulhamfc.com. "That was something, we as a squad, talked about before kick-off and thankfully we did what we needed to do to secure what were a vital three points.

"Prior to the start, there was not much between us and Blackpool, and had they managed to come out on top, then let's be honest, this conversation wouldn't have been quite so positive. We needed to put a bit of ground between us and those in and around – fortunately that was the case.

"It was very tight and to be fair, it still is, but with two or three results elsewhere on the Saturday not going our way, the pressure was on a little bit. So of course, we were very pleased to come away from Craven Cottage with the three points.

"We all know how strong we can be at home and that was the fifth win from our last six games at the Cottage. We don't have too many left to play now, but we want to keep that form going and see where that can take us."

Hangeland also highlighted the impact of Bobby Zamora, who made his first start since early September, with the England striker netting his third in four appearances since his return from injury.

"The win itself was very pleasing, but so too was the contribution from Bobby," added Hangeland. "It was his first start for a long while, but you wouldn't have guessed – from the off he looked like he meant business.

"He's scored a few since coming back into contention and that's great news for everyone. Hopefully he can kick on and score a few more to finish the season strongly. He's made the impact we all hoped he would and has shown exactly what we have missed while he has been on the sidelines.

"There's no question that his goals and all-round play bring a lot to this team – he's a fantastic player and it's good to have him back."

While those in front of Hangeland and his fellow defenders caught the eye with their movement off the ball and clinical conviction in front of goal, the back four also impressed with another clean sheet and resilient defensive display.

"The score line probably suggests the game was a bit easier than it actually was to be honest," said Hangeland. "We did control the game and certainly deserved the win, but they [Blackpool] played some very good football at times.

"Very rarely do teams come to Craven Cottage and keep the ball like they did; they made life difficult at times. We knew that they liked to get forward at every opportunity and us defenders had to be alert to that.

"Chris Baird made an excellent intervention on the goal line, while there were three or four good blocks on the edge of the box. I think we did well to limit them and we defended well from front to back.

"There's always room for improvement, but at the end of the day we are very happy to have kept a clean sheet. We have a decent goal difference now, especially in comparison to those teams that are around us. In many ways it is like having an extra point.

"So if the others can keep putting them away, we'll do our best to keep them out and that's something that could play its part at the end of the season."
.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/April/HangelandBlackpoolReview.aspx#ixzz1IijhVeUp

[White Noise]

U-18's draw with Charlton

http://www.cafctv.co.uk/page/academydetail/0,,10267~2331697,00.html

[White Noise]

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/football/8955383.Will_Fulham_s_Wacko_Jacko_start_a_trend_/

Will Fulham's Wacko Jacko start a trend?

4:24pm Tuesday 5th April 2011


Unibet.com, the online bookmaker, has reacted to the controversy surrounding the unveiling of a larger than life size statue of the late Michael Jackson by Mohamed Fayed at Fulham's Craven Cottage ground.

Will Mr Fayed remain stubborn? Will the fans grow to love it or continue to think it's really 'bad'? Or will it be protested against and thrown 'off the wall'?

Unibet now wonder if the statue will be in place for the start of the 2011/2012 season and have odds of YES 1.05 NO 8.00

And we wonder what other football clubs will commission statues of other "celebrities"?

Traders have been busy collating odds on some of the possible celebrity statues to be unveiled at clubs by end of 2012...

Port Vale and Robbie Williams 99-1

Chelsea and Damon Albarn 49-1

Manchester City and Liam Gallagher 19-1

Watford and Sir Elton John 9-1

Liverpool and Cilla Black 49-1

Newcastle United and John McCririck 39-1

Tottenham Hotspur and Chas and Dave 74-1

Everton and Sylvester Stallone 199-1

Aston Villa and Prince William 199-1

Norwich and Delia Smith 74-1

[White Noise]

Dickson Etuhu: Fulham are back fighting at last


Dickson Etuhu insists Fulham are looking up, rather than down, on the back of their recent revival.


Gary Taylor-Fletcher of Blackpool battles with Fulham's Dickson Etuhu. Fulham won the Barclays Premier League match with 3-0 (Picture: Getty)


The Cottagers have lost just one of their last four games to move six points clear of the relegation zone and up to tenth place in the Premier League.

Mark Hughes' men deepened Blackpool's own relegation worries with Sunday's 3-0 win at Craven Cottage and midfielder Etuhu claims his side are firmly focused on a top-ten finish.

'We're not thinking about going down, we're thinking about going up [the table] and concentrating on that,' said Etuhu, who scored Fulham's third goal on Sunday.

'We know we're good enough. The league is very tight and anything could happen.

'We're focused, the manager and coaching staff have a plan and we're all together on it and it is working well.

'The top ten is the target but we have just got to keep getting points on the board.'

Etuhu insists Fulham are refusing to aim for a certain number of points as they attempt to ease their relegation fears but the Nigeria international has revealed the spirit inside the club has been key to their upturn in fortunes.

'We don't have a points target,' the 28-year-old added.

'The manager does not expect us to lose to anybody. He just expects us to win every game and that is what we need.

'That is what we need to believe and that is why we go out, especially at home, believing we can beat anyone.'

Etuhu joked he even expects the Cottagers to win 5-0 at leaders Manchester United this coming weekend and is  delighted with the Cottagers' form.

'I missed a few games with injury and the team did really well but we've always believed in ourselves,' he added.


Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/859971-dickson-etuhu-fulham-are-back-fighting-at-last#ixzz1IikiQTcW

[White Noise]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/06/sports/soccer/06iht-SOCCER06.html?_r=1&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nyt%2Frss%2FSports+%28NYT+%3E+Sports%29


Statue Overshadows Mohamed al-Fayed's Love for Fulham

By ROB HUGHES


Published: April 5, 2011


LONDON — The oddest people choose to own soccer teams. Time was when the local butcher, baker and candlestick maker kept the local club going for reasons of pride, prestige and power in the hometown. Now, though, you have to be an American billionaire, a Russian oligarch or an Arab sheik to afford an English Premier League team.

Sightings of the owner in his own stadium are as rare as a mirage in the desert.

However, Fulham, the London club where this foreign ownership fad started, is different. From the day that Mohamed al-Fayed, the Egyptian-born proprietor who then owned the nearby Harrods store, saved Fulham from insolvency in 1997, it has been difficult to keep him away.

He is chairman and banker and is omnipresent. Those he has hired and fired as coach of his players will attest to the fact that the chairman is never short of an opinion or three about who they should select, and why.

But when the 78-year-old patriarch unveiled a larger-than-life, sequined statue of the deceased American pop star Michael Jackson outside Fulham's Craven Cottage stadium on Sunday, he antagonized more supporters than he pleased.

Some Fulham fans were outraged. Some were of the opinion that their chairman was as Wacko as Jacko, the headline nickname that some detractors used for Michael Jackson, much to his dislike. But some simply accepted that without Fayed's millions, the club would not have survived, so he can do what he likes so long as he keeps their precious team in the league of giants.

"Why is it bizarre?" Fayed demanded to know when he unveiled the statue, which is believed to have cost £60,000, or almost $98,000. "Michael Jackson was genius.

"When he was on stage, everyone watched him. He had a rare gift that inspired people of every race, in every country."

When journalists suggested that some fan groups do not regard Jackson as an appropriate fixture outside the stadium that to some is a second home, Fayed retorted: "If some stupid fans don't understand or appreciate such a gift, they can go to hell. I don't want them to be fans. If they don't believe in things I believe in, they can go to Chelsea, go anywhere else." There lies the crux of this whole ownership thing.

Does Fayed have any more right to do what he believes in than the supporters? Many were there before him, and will be there after he is gone.

Soccer in England is family, and countless Fulham folk are fans of the club because their fathers, and their fathers' fathers, belonged.

It dates from 1879, when the boys of a local Sunday school formed a team. Fulham F.C. has played at its current location for 115 years, and part of its charm is the original cottage that is preserved at the stadium.

Fulham without its history would never have appealed to Fayed. Fulham without the estimated £200 million he has poured into the club would almost certainly no longer exist.

Last year, alone, Fulham lost about £16.9 million despite the team's reaching the final of the Europa League. The team's balance sheet shows that the income from the Premier League, its European success and its share of the gargantuan global television rights of the Premier League simply did not keep pace with the increased wages from higher player contracts.

Fayed has known throughout his 13-plus years' stewardship that even at the best of times, Fulham isn't going to be the financial equal of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal or Chelsea.

It was the arrival of the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who turned Fulham's near neighbor Chelsea into the powerhouse "Chelski," that destroyed Fayed's boast that he would turn Fulham into "the Manchester United of the South." I recall spending two afternoons with him in October 2001. During the first, at Craven Cottage stadium, there was no chit-chat. The chairman forbade it.

Match day, he said, was for football.

He was too nervous, too wrapped in the emotion of the game. Before the kickoff, he paraded before the fans. During it, he sat as silent and still as the Sphinx. When his team attacked, there was joy, expectation in his face. When the opponent threatened, his temples throbbed, his color paled.

These emotions cannot be false. Whether the Glazer family of Florida and the ruling Abu Dhabi family experience the same — except when poring over the Manchester United or City balance sheets — we can only wonder. They watch, if at all, from oceans away.

The day after the match, in his fifth-floor office at Harrods, Fayed invited any and every point of interrogation this visitor felt appropriate to raise.

His rise from a street seller of fizzy drinks to a self-made billionaire and his journey through Haiti to Dubai to London possibly will forever have opaque secrets.

We talked around it, but mostly we talked soccer from the banks of the Nile, where he played in his youth, to the Thames, where his team plays now. Fayed reckoned that day we spent at Harrods that his spending on the stadium, the training grounds and the players set him back £80 million.

That amount has doubled, and is rising. There is no exit strategy. He may have sold the Harrods store, but letting go of Fulham would be like an amputation.

Does that give him the right to tell the fans to get lost if they do not approve of Jackson? No, but it's done anyway.

The singer was Fayed's icon. The fans paid for their own memorial years ago when they clubbed together to have Johnny Haynes cast in bronze.

Haynes, who died in 2005, was Fulham's finest player. He led the team for 18 years. He passed the ball better than any Englishman, perhaps ever. He was Fulham personified.

Michael Jackson passed this way once. He had shopped at Harrods and Fayed, its chairman, persuaded him to take in a game at Craven Cottage. For that, Jackson gets a memorial close by the real Fulham figure of note. To each his own.

[White Noise]

Hughes hopes Gera will stay at Fulham

By Jacob Murtagh


Apr 6 2011



MARK Hughes has not given up hope of keeping Zoltan Gera at Fulham.

The Hungarian looks set to leave Craven Cottage in the summer after refusing to sign a new deal in SW6.

Gera has fallen way down the Whites pecking order, and failed to even make the bench for Sunday's victory over Blackpool.

But Hughes insists he still wants the 31-year-old to stay at the club.

He said: "I had a conversation with Zolly before he left. He understands and knows my feelings in terms of what I feel about him - I want him to remain a Fulham player.

"He's keeping his options open now because he's able to do that."

However, the Fulham boss has slammed Gera's agent, Vladan Filipovic, and accused him of trying to lure the player away from west London.

Hughes added: "His agent has been quite vocal, [speaking] in terms of we, rather than Zolly, so maybe he's had an influence where he thinks Zolly should go rather than letting the boy himself make his mind up.

"If he does leave and thinks that it's the best for his career I would be disappointed because I want him to stay."


Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/04/06/hughes-hopes-gera-will-stay-at-fulham-82029-28465587/#ixzz1IinLdzgv

[White Noise]

http://www.footballfancast.com/2011/04/football-blogs/who-is-set-for-the-premier-league-chop-the-predictions-are-in

10th Fulham – Their 3-0 victory over Blackpool made them look different class. Mark Hughes has done a great job in turning their poor run at the start of the season around, boosted by the return of striker Bobby Zamora. With 4 remaining away games and only 1 win away all season, they will want to get at least one victory on the road with their remaining home fixtures against Bolton, Liverpool and Arsenal. Verdict: Survival – Bobby Zamora's return will be a huge advantage to Fulham getting more points on the board by the end of the season and Mark Hughes can look to rebuild for next year.

[White Noise]

Pantsil admits he could be set for Fulham exit in the summer

By Sportsmail Reporter


Last updated at 10:56 PM on 5th April 2011


John Pantsil could leave Fulham at the end of the season.

The Ghana defender, 29, has fallen out-of-favour with manager Mark Hughes and said: 'There is no future for me at Fulham.'


On the move? John Pantsil (above) with Cottagers team-mate Damien Duff


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1373766/John-Pantsil-set-Fulham-exit-summer.html#ixzz1IiopvvAb

[White Noise]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/06042011/58/premier-league-match-facts-manchester-united-v-fulham.html


Premier League - Match facts: Manchester United v Fulham


Wed, 06 Apr 04:42:00 2011

Man Utd have won only one of their last four Premier League games against Fulham.

Wayne Rooney has scored five goals in the last four Premier League games for Man Utd against Fulham at Old Trafford.

Rooney has scored eight goals in his last eight Premier League matches.

Man Utd have converted the highest percentage of shots into goals in the Premier League, 18%.

Man Utd have scored more headed goals than any other team (15), while Fulham have scored the highest percentage of goals from headers (33%) in the top flight.

Fulham have picked up the joint-fewest yellow cards and are the only team not to have earned a red card this season.

Mark Hughes has won two, drawn three and lost six of his meetings as a coach with mentor Sir Alex Ferguson.

United have kept just two clean sheets in their last nine Premier League matches.

Man Utd have taken 49 points from a possible 51 in their last 17 Premier League games at Old Trafford.

No opposition player has scored a first half goal in a domestic match at Old Trafford since Joe Cole on 3rd April 2010.

Javier Hernandez has scored 11 goals from just 15 shots on target in the Premier League this season.

[White Noise]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3511288/Ghana-defender-John-Pantsil-is-being-released-by-Fulham.html

Fulham all set to dump Pantsil


Published: Today


GHANA defender John Pantsil, 29, is being shown the door by Fulham at the end of the season.


He has lost his place to Chris Baird after a series of errors and three own goals.

[White Noise]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3509366/Bobby-Zamora-eyes-England-return.html


Zamora's still got a Fab dream

Published: 05 Apr 2011


BOBBY ZAMORA hopes to resurrect his England career this summer.

The Fulham striker struck twice in Sunday's 3-0 win over Blackpool - making it three in three Premier League games since spending seven months out with a broken leg.

Fabio Capello gave Zamora, 30, his first cap in last August's 2-1 friendly win over Hungary.

He said: "I think I've got a chance of getting back in the squad, but I have to be doing well for Fulham first.

"So that's my primary aim - getting fit and doing well for the club."

[White Noise]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/nottingham-forest-chasing-fulham-midfielder-greening-1553081



Nottingham Forest chasing Fulham midfielder Greening


06.04.11 | tribalfootball.com


Fulham midfielder Jonathan Greening is interesting Nottingham Forest.

Forest boss Billy Davies tried to land Greening in January on-loan.

And he has maintained an interest in the 32 year-old.

The former Manchester United midfielder's deal at Fulham expires in 2012 and Davies hopes to sign him on the cheap this summer.

[White Noise]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/arsenal-watching-wolfsburg-keeper-benaglio-1551681



Arsenal watching Wolfsburg keeper Benaglio

05.04.11 | tribalfootball.com


Arsenal are watching Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.

The Daily Star Sunday says the Switzerland international is under consideration for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger ahead of the summer market.

Benaglio is an international colleague of Gunners defender Johan Djourou.

The keeper is also being linked with Fulham.

[White Noise]

Shaun Wright-Phillips rejects Fulham interest to fight for Man City place


METRO WEB REPORTER - 6th April, 2011


Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has rejected talk of a move to Fulham and vowed to stay at Eastlands.

The 29-year-old former Chelsea star's time at City looked to be up in January, with manager Roberto Mancini apparently preferring to keep other players as he looked to trim his bloated squad.

Shaun Wright-Phillips will stay at Manchester City forever if they let him.

Wright-Phillips was believed to be on the verge of returning to west London, joining former boss Mark Hughes at Fulham, but Mancini blocked the move when Adam Johnson was ruled out for two months with an ankle problem.

But the player insists that Manchester City is where he feels at home, and given the choice he will stay there for the rest of his career.

'It feels like I am part of the furniture here,' he told the club's website.

'I would love to retire a City player and I have my fingers crossed it is something that can still happen.'

.Having been knocked out of the Europa League and finding themselves a long way behind Manchester United in the Premier League, City's only chance of silverware this season will be the FA Cup.

Wright-Phillips really wants to win it for the club's supporters, although they will have to beat their local rivals in the semi-final on April 16th first.

'I want to fulfil a lifelong dream and help win a trophy for our fans,' he said.

However, City will be without key defenders Micah Richards and Jerome Boateng for the tie, as they are currently injured.


Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/860128-shaun-wright-phillips-rejects-fulham-interest-to-fight-for-man-city-place#ixzz1IkcFHjwO

[White Noise]

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/6396/0/blackburn-fulham-and-west-ham-readying-bids-barca-striker


Blackburn, Fulham and West Ham readying bids for Barca striker

By talkSPORT


Wednesday, April 6




A trio of Premier League clubs are hoping to sign free-scoring Barcelona B striker Jonathan Soriano this summer, according to reports in Spain.

The 25-year-old has scored 21 times in just 26 starts for Barca's reserve team in the Spanish second division this season.

As a result of such prolific form in front of goal, Soriano, who signed from Albacete in 2009, has been tipped for a greater role in Pep Guardiola's first team next term.

But Catalan newspaper SPORT has revealed that Blackburn, Fulham and West Ham now want to offer him a shot at the Premier League.

And, with his contract set to expire in June 2012, it is understood that Barca might be open to summer bids for the striker to prevent losing him for nothing.

[White Noise]

http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/west-london-sport/west-london-brentford-fc/2011/04/06/brentford-give-fulham-reading-wolves-and-crystal-palace-youngsters-another-chance-to-impess-109642-28470966/

Brentford give Fulham, Reading, Wolves and Crystal Palace youngsters another chance to impess

Apr 6 2011 By Jacob Murtagh


BRENTFORD will give their batch of trialists another chance to shine in the reserve team game against Crawley later this month.

Charlie Mann (Crystal Palace), Samuel Griffiths (Wolves), Robert Bartley (Chesham United), Michael Kamau and Jonathan Cosgrove (both Fulham), Liam Bellamy (ex-Charlton) and Warren Morgan (Reading) helped a Bees second string beat Gillingham yesterday.

Royals academy striker Morgan and non-league defender Bartley were on target in the 4-1 win at the Osterley training ground.

The young hopefuls will continue to train at Jersey Road ahead of the clash against Crawley on April 18.