U21 report | Fulham 2-1 Wolves

Fulham 2 (Ablade 42, Harris 77) Wolves 1 (Hesketh 56)

Wolves under-21s were narrowly beaten by a Luke Harris goal 13 minutes from time, as Fulham took all three points in Monday’s PL2 encounter at Motspur Park.

James Collins’ side will have felt hard done by to not take anything from the game after playing the better football and dominating for large periods, as well as responding well to Terry Ablade’s opener through Owen Hesketh’s fine leveller early in the second half.

In an evenly-contested opening 25 minutes, it was Wolves who threatened in front of goal following a run from midfielder Joe Hodge. He was picked out in space on the right-hand side before driving towards goal and firing a low effort that was well held by Alexander Borto.

Fulham opened the scoring three minutes before the interval and it was Ablade who found himself in space after receiving the ball on the right. He had time to pick his spot, before shooting low towards the near post and into the corner past Louie Moulden.

Wolves responded well to that set-back and went straight up the other end with two quickfire chances of their own. Josh Esen’s strike had power, but was down the throat of Borto, before Nathan Fraser fired one into the side netting from an acute angle after a neat period of play.

Half-time | Fulham 1-0 Wolves

The old gold were quickly out of the traps after the restart and would have been on level terms, but for the frame of the goal. Harvey Griffiths was afforded space on the left and was able to pick out the run of Fraser at the near post who made good contact, before being denied by the crossbar.

Collins’ men were playing with intent and deservedly levelled on 56 minutes following a neat and snappy piece of interchange. A move that was started by Alfie Pond worked its way to Hodge who was able to pick out Owen Farmer on the left. After standing up his man, Farmer crossed into the centre where his ball was met superbly on the half-volley by Hesketh who arrowed a low strike into the corner.

A well-deserved leveller pic.twitter.com/PyDsnwYAIt

— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) April 17, 2023

Despite their positive response, the hosts regained the lead with 13 minutes left to play as Harris was left unmarked at the back post to head home a flick-on from a corner.

Wolves should have levelled when substitute Kam Kandola won a meaty challenge on the halfway line before Farmer came off best in a battle of his own before playing in Fraser. The striker broke the offside trap and only had the goalkeeper to beat, but could only drag his left-footed effort wide of the far post.

Full-time | Fulham 2-1 Wolves

COMING UP

Wolves under-21s host Crystal Palace in their final home game of the season next Monday evening.

NEXT UP

• 24/04 Crystal Palace (H)
• 29/04 Man City (A)

TEAMS

Fulham | Borto, Tanton, Araujo (De Fougerolles 28), Robinson, Williams, Dibley-Dias, Hilton, Splatt (Okkas 77), Ablade, Harris, Godo.

Subs not used | Allen, McFarlane, Sanderson.

Wolves | Moulden, Lembikisa, Hubner, Hodge (Roberts 65), Marques, Pond, Esen, Griffiths (Kandola 82), Fraser, Hesketh, Farmer.

Subs not used | Arinbjornsson, Keto-Diyawa, Mabete.