U21 Report: Fulham 5-1 Saints

Saints trailed at the break despite Jay Robinson’s fifth-minute opener as an instant Ollie O’Neill equaliser levelled proceedings before Kristian Šekularac turned the game around before half-time.

The second half was balanced but Saints couldn’t find an equaliser before a late flurry of goals - a second for O’Neill and a brace for Callum Osmand - sealed the result.

Saints made three changes to the line-up following last week’s defeat to Liverpool with Dom Ballard unavailable for the trip to Motspur Park.

Princewill Ehibatiomhan assumed the central striker role as Diamond Edwards came in to start on the left wing, whilst Kamari Doyle also returned to the side in midfield with Will Armitage making the step up in central defence.

(Will Armitage started in defence. Photos: Isabelle Field)

It took just five minutes for the first goal of the afternoon to hit the back of the net, which came from Robinson’s right boot for his first of the season.

The 16-year-old beat his man just inside the area and fired a low drive past Alfie McNally at his near post.

Saints’ lead lasted less than two minutes though as the hosts instantly levelled through O’Neill, whose deflected effort looped over Adli Mohamed and in off the underside of the crossbar.

The game slowed after its rampant start, becoming a battle for possession in midfield with the odd appeal from both sides for fouls in dangerous areas waved away by the referee.

The hosts had the next chance of note in the 22nd minute with a free-kick near the right corner flag but Matthew Dibley-Dias’ powerful delivery was headed clear.

Saints then followed suit with a similar opportunity outside Fulham’s area but Zach Awe headed over after connecting with Doyle’s cross.

Before the half hour mark, Dibley-Dias proved his set-piece threat again as he tried his luck with a free-kick from range but Mohamed gathered the shot well as it fizzed in at an awkward low height.

A dangerous corner from Doyle followed for Saints’ next opportunity as his floated cross landed at the feet of Armitage, who volleyed over from inside the penalty area.

Jay Robinson is congratulated after his early goal.

Fulham’s goalscorer, O’Neill, then spurned a great opportunity for his second of the game as he was released inside the box but opted to square the ball instead of shooting across goal, allowing the Saints defence to get back and clear their lines.

The second goal did come before the break though, through first half substitute Šekularac who connected with a delightful Devan Tanton cross to cushion the ball into the far corner.

Saints almost had an instant response of their own before the break when Tyler Dibling went on a mazy dribble to find a shooting position in the area, but hit the side netting with his eventual shot.

Clear-cut chances became even more sparse in the second half, but Saints did go close within three minutes of the restart as Doyle’s near post volley was well saved by McNally from close range.

A swift Fulham counter ended with Callum McFarlane’s shot on the turn deflecting wide for a corner, before Jayden Meghoma went close at the other end with a powerful shot that was parried away by McNally once more from close range.

Mohamed made an important stop of his own in the 72nd minute to deny Šekularac a second goal, with the Saints goalkeeper meeting a rising shot from inside the area.

Saints thought they had an equaliser four minutes from time through Ehibhatiomhan who did well to shrug off a defender and force a chance which fell agonisingly wide of the post.

The hosts then finished the game in style with a flurry of goals that quickly took the result beyond any doubt; O’Neill scored his second of the game in the 88th minute, before substitute Callum Osmand grabbed a quickfire brace of his own in stoppage time.

Fulham: McNally, Tanton, de Fougerolles (Lanquedoc 89), Araujo, Esenga, Dibley-Dias (c), Pajazit (de Jesus 79), Okkas (Šekularac 42), Works, McFarlane (Osmand 79), O'Neill.

Subs not used: Varney.

Goals: O’Neill 7, 88, Šekularac 45, Osmand 90, 90+1.

Yellow cards: Esenga 30, Dibley-Dias 82, de Jesus 84.

Saints: Mohamed, Abu, Armitage (Davis 66), Awe, Meghoma, Bragg, Dibling, Doyle (c), Ehibhatiomhan, Robinson, Edwards (Merry 72).

Subs not used: McNamara, Lett, Stepien-Iwumene.

Goals: Robinson 5.

Yellow cards: Awe 68.