Fulham U18s 4-1 West Ham United U18s
The young Hammers went down to only their second defeat of the season in a tough London derby on Saturday morning.
Elliot Lee scored a consolation for the Academy side but they were three-nil down at that point and while chasing the game at the end, were to concede a fourth. Although the scoreline appeared one-sided, Tony Carr said his team had never given up on the cause.
"We started the game quite brightly," he told whufc.com. "Elliot lee had a great chance when one on one only for the Fulham goalkeeper to make a good save. For half an hour there was nothing in the game at all. It was nip and tuck between two teams at the top of the table."
Fulham struck first though before the interval and it was to be decisive. The goal came about after a Jake Larkins' punched clearance hit Kenzer Lee on the back and landed kindly for a home forward to score. Carr described it as a "freak goal" but it was to be even tougher for the Hammers after the break.
"We started the second half very brightly. Blair Turgott had a great chance to equalise but shot wide. Fulham broke back on us and scored the second from a long-distance shot. To be fair, they took command at that point and got to three-nil."
Despite trailing heavily, Elliot Lee was able to pull one back when he followed in to score from close range after a Turgott shot was parried. However, as the visitors tried to make it a close finale, Fulham went on to add a game-killing fourth.
"The final result was a little bit harsh but Fulham deserved the win. We started to chase the game and they punished us. It is a good test for the lads to see how they come back from this after going so well this season. We rested a couple because a lot have been playing development football and we have been stretched for numbers."
With Danny Potts and Kieran Sadlier coming off the bench, and the injured Leo Chambers missing, Carr and coach Nick Haycock will at least feel they have got the chance to look at some more of their options - both in the U18 and U16 ranks.
West Ham United: Larkins, Siafa, Shaw (Potts 25), K Lee (Boake-Yiadom 70), Young, Powell, Hurley, Miles (Sadlier 46), Fanimo, E Lee, Turgott