Premier League Cup
Team: Mahoney, Jude-Boyd, Anthony (E), Harrack, Woodman, Owens, Ajose, Murphy, Kargbo, Pedder, Angelov
Sub Not Used: Salamon
I met up with Sammy at Park Royal Underground Station before setting off for the Motspur Park training ground.
Opposite the railway station, and ordering his sausage and chips, happened to be the match announcer. He immediately realised I was an R’s fan and we continued our conversation outside.
We took our seats in the small stand, situated some distance from the pitch, which I have to say, appeared a bit on the dark-side in some areas.
Into the game and booked early on was Harry Murphy.Rangers then had a good opportunity to open the scoring after a great ball across the box by Joseph Ajose just evaded the reach of Hamzad Kargbo.
There was no holding back for Mr Swallow as just minutes later he booked another Rangers player!
On 13 minutes, Fulham fashioned a good attempt to take the lead when a ball put over from the right was headed just over the crossbar by Terry Ablade.
The Cottagers went one-up after around 28 minutes. Sonny Hilton’s pin-point cross into the box was volleyed into the net by Terry Ablade.
Rafferty Pedder burst forward until he was cynically fouled just outside the penalty area. Charlie Owens stepped up to take the free kick and his shot dipped as it cleared the crossbar.
Ten minutes or so before the break, Arkell Jude-Boyd got himself into a good position before pulling the trigger, but his shot hit the underside of the crossbar.
The home side had looked dangerous down the right-flank and eventually Elijah Anthony moved closer to that side in support of Peter Angelov.
Fulham doubled their lead through what looked like a harsh penalty and Luke Harris made no mistake with his spot-kick. Two added minutes were indicated and at half-time it was 2-0 to the Cottagers.
Three changes were made for the commencement of the second-half, which saw the introduction of; Steven Bala, Henry Hawkins and Riley Cotter at the expense of Elijah Anthony, Kayden Harrack and Charlie Owens respectively.
Soon after the restart, Joseph Ajose’s low-strike was well stopped by George Wickens and the ball went behind for a corner.
The home side went three-up after Adrion Pajaziti squared the ball to Luke Harris and the Fulham No.10 picked his spot.
Mr Swallow booked Hamzad Kargbo for a tug on an opponent.
After the R’s were awarded a free kick, Rafferty Pedder swung the ball over from the right, which resulted in the Fulham keeper making a point-blank save.
On 70 minutes, Stan Flaherty replaced Joseph Ajose.
Hamzad Kargbo superbly weaved his way past a couple of defenders and with arms aloft, the Fulham keeper held on to the shot that followed.
Martial Godo added a fourth for Fulham after some poor defending.
Steven Bala turned, and fired his shot goalwards, which forced George Wickens down to smother the ball. Henry Hawkins was the next R’s player to be shown a yellow card.
At the other end, Martial Godo’s first-time attempt was well saved by Murphy Mahoney.
Jay Williams became only the second Fulham player to be booked after he had fouled Stan Flaherty.
Hamzad Kargbo had the ball in the net following Stan Flaherty’s cross, but it was ruled offside.
Just as I was edging my way towards the exit, Adrion Pajaziti, situated around 40 yards out, saw the Rangers keeper off his line and his audacious lob bounced off the crossbar. After Murphy Mahoney had collided with the upright, substitute, Oliver Sanderson had the easy task of tapping the ball home.
Steve Russell