Fulham Reserves 2 Chelsea Reserves 1

Last updated : 16 April 2010 By The Cottager
Both sides had early chances, with Fabio Borini drawing a smart save from Neil Etheridge, while Rob Milsom drew an equally impressive stop from visiting 'keeper Sam Walker, drilling at goal from the edge of the box.

Chelsea certainly suggested that they would be a threat, with the much-talked about Gael Kakuta pulling the strings and Liam Bridcutt adding steel in the middle of the park.

However, mirroring the exploits of the First Team, Billy McKinlay's side are content and effective at soaking up the pressure, with Milsom and Kagisho Dikgacoi breaking play and linking the ball from defence to attack.

And it was from one such move that allowed Nevland to free the in-form Danny Hoesen, with the young Dutch striker racing clear and forcing Walker into action once more. He would make amends from the subsequent corner though, sweeping home Christopher Buchtmann's teasing delivery on 17 minutes.

The Blues responded with another flowing move, with Kakuta involved once more, but fortunately for the Whites, Jacob Mellis blazed over with the goal in sight.

The impressive Cheick Toure twice snuffed out the lively Borini, and 10 minutes after the first, Fulham had a second when Nevland knocked in a low pass from Hoesen, with the Norwegian striker showing his predatory instincts by sneaking in unopposed.

A Dikgacoi strike from his own half drew the breath of those in attendance, with the South African international's ambitious effort falling the wrong side of the Chelsea bar.

Milan Lalkovic fired over as Chelsea finished the half on top, but it was a deserved lead at the break for an impressive Fulham.

And a rampant start to the second-half almost rewarded the hosts with a third, with Nevland rolling the ball to Hoesen, who was denied again by Walker's giant frame.

Toure was needed at the other end, heading an arching cross from the tricky Lalkovic off from the line, while captain Matthew Briggs showed his excellent reading of the game to cut out a chance for Borini.

Clever play from Freddie Stoor and Keanu Marsh-Brown, saw the latter thread a pass through to Nevland just after the hour mark, but this shot from the angle could only find the side netting.

Marsh-Brown then curled a free-kick from the left wide of the far post, while substitute Michael Uwezu, making his first appearance for the Whites following a loan spell at Lincoln , tested Walker within moments of coming on.

Borini made it an interesting final 10 minutes, rising high and heading in George Saville's floated cross from the left and undoing Fulham's four games without conceding in the process.

The Italian almost levelled moments later, but was thwarted by a fantastic block from Etheridge. The talented shot-stopper then denied Mellis from the rebound with an equally vital stop.

With the momentum, Chelsea pushed forward, with Etheridge again doing well, claiming Nana Ofori-Twumasi's deep delivery with authority.

A shuddering tackle from Alex Smith down the left touchline reminded the Blues of the hosts' commitment. And despite the visitor's attacking intent, Fulham held on, with their unbeaten record stretching to seven games.

The win also moved the Whites five points above Chelsea in the Barclays Premier Reserve League South table, and closed the gap on second-placed Arsenal.

Billy McKinlay's side have a break in action next week, with the Development Squad facing Wolverhampton Wanderers at Motspur Park on Tuesday, April 6th, Kick-Off 7pm.

Fulham Reserves: Etheridge; Stoor, Smith, Briggs, Touré; Dikgacoi (Harris 75), Marsh-Brown (Marquez-Sanchez 89), Milsom, Buchtmann; Hoesen (Uwezu 71), Nevland; (Subs not used): Bettinelli, Pierre.

Chelsea Reserves: Walker; Ahamed, Hutchinson (Ince 46), Ofori-Twumasi, Strickland; Bridcutt, Mellis, Philliskirk, Kakuta (Devyne 58); Borini, Lalkovic (Saville 63); (Subs not used): Sampayo, Haxhia.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/ReservesvChelsea.aspx#ixzz0lHLZMwyk