Did anyone go to the youth team game today?

[zzamora]

Were they good? apparently trottas goal is a cracker.l..  :yay:

[White Noise]

Fulham 3-3 Sunderland (aet) FFC win 4-1 on pens

Tuesday 10th May 2011


Fulham's Under 18s secured a place in the final of the Premier Academy League with a penalty shootout victory over Sunderland at Motspur Park on Tuesday evening. A dramatic encounter finished 3-3 after extra time but the Whites kept their nerve to win 4-1 on penalties.

With a place in the final of the Premier Academy League at stake, Fulham made a bright start with Marcello Trotta in particular putting Sunderland goalkeeper Lewis King under pressure with some intelligent early running.

Despite having the upper hand for most of the opening exchanges, the Whites were dealt a blow when Sunderland opened the scoring with their first attack of the match on nine minutes. The ball fell kindly to Craig Lynch in the area and the Sunderland attacker gave Grant Smith no chance with a well-placed curling effort.

Fulham continued to press, but whilst the ball was spending most its time in the Sunderland half, there was little to trouble King. The visitors were at their most dangerous on the counter-attack and the speed with which they were able to break forward certainly had the Whites worried at times.

There were nervous moments for the Sunderland back line on 25 minutes when Charles Banya and Alex Smith combined down the left flank to feed the ball to Trotta in the area. The Italian striker made space for himself with a wonderful turn, only to see his shot blocked by King. The ricochet rolled just wide of an unguarded net.

King was called into action again on 32 minutes when he produced an acrobatic save to deny the lively Charles Banya. And Fulham were again denied a certain equaliser on 34 minutes when Ronnie Minkwitz was allowed a free shot in the penalty area, only for King to react well and push the ball away with a smart save.

A fine opportunity for Alex Brister on 42 minutes was expertly turned away by King - who was proving worth his weight in gold for the visitors.

The second-half continued in much the same vein as the first, with Sunderland maintaining possession in deep in their half and looking to hit Fulham on the break.

Fulham deservedly scored the equaliser on 52 minutes, finally breaking down Sunderland's stubborn defence. Alex Smith was on hand to capitalise on a defensive mix-up from the visitors to drill a low shot into the back on the net.

The goal appeared to spur Sunderland into action, as they proceeded to have their best attacking spell of the game. But Fulham soon reasserted themselves and were unfortunate not to take the lead on 59 minutes when Trotta turned his man in the area and placed a finish just wide of the post.

Corey Gameiro replaced Charles Banya just after the hour mark as Kit Symons looked to beef up his goal scoring options. And Gameiro combined well with Trotta shortly after his introduction, settling up a fine chance which, once again, was saved by the impressive Lewis King.

Trotta then put Fulham in the lead with a wonderful piece of individual skill on 70 minutes. The Italian striker weaved his way trough a sea of defenders in the area before applying a composed finish past King from a narrow angle.

But Fulham's lead was short-lived and after a series of scares for the Whites, Sunderland netted the equaliser through Jordan Laidler on 73 minutes. The Fulham goal had led a charmed life after Trotta's strike and the leveller was certainly deserved.

The remaining minutes of normal time were played out under tense conditions as fatigue started to affect both sides.

Richard Peniket replaced Alex Brister at the start of extra time. And with the stakes high, neither side was keen on committing too many people forward. But the Whites re-took the lead in dramatic fashion when Kerim Frei made space for himself on the edge of the Sunderland area and hit a low shot beyond King on 93 minutes.

But dramatically Sunderland struck back minutes later when Alejandro Rodriguez Gorrin hit fierce 25-yard shot that flew past Grant Smith's outstretched hand into the bottom corner.

Fulham started the second-half of extra time with a fine chance for Frei, whose powerful volley was palmed away at the near post by King. Alex Smith then came to the rescue for Fulham with a match saving tackle when a Sunderland goal looked certain.

The Whites had a penalty appeal turned down on 112 minutes after Mahrez Bettache went to ground in the area after a mazy run. Play continued and Marcello Trotta forced a routine catch from King, heading Alex Smith's cross towards goal.

That proved to be the final piece of action, with the tie going to penalties.

Penalties
Fulham won the toss and Josh Pritchard made no mistake with the first for Fulham. Sunderland missed their opening kick, with a fiercely struck shot from George Honeyman hitting the underside of the bar and bouncing away.

Lewis Smith successfully converted his spot kick, as did Sunderland's Jordan Laidler to make the score 2-1 to the Whites.

Corey Gameiro maintained his composure to make it 3-1 to Fulham and Grant Smith produced a wonderful save to deny James Armstrong.

The stage was then set for Kerim Frei to take the decisive kick. The attacker kept a calm head and confidently tucked his kick away – sparking scenes of wild celebration for Kit Symons' men.


Team  Pen 1  Pen 2  Pen 3  Pen 4 
Fulham  O  O  O  O 
Sunderland  X  O  X  - 



Fulham Team: G Smith; Marquez-Sanchez, Toure, Arthurworrey, A Smith; Banya (Gameiro 62), Minkwitz (Bettache 96), Brister (Peniket 91), Pritchard; Trotta, Frei
.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/May/FulhamU18vSunderlandU18Report.aspx#ixzz1LzAp2RAg