FT: Fulham 1-3 Dev Squad
That's the final whistle and the Hammers have extended their unbeaten run to nine games! A determined performance has been rewarded by a Djair Parfitt-Williams brace and a Josh Cullen penalty. Reaction to follow.
90+1: What a goal that would have been! Humphreys chests the ball with his back to goal, spins round and unleashes an unstoppable volley which cannons off the post. Unlucky, he has been by far and away the host's best player tonight.
89: U16 Conor Coventry comes on to make his Dev Squad debut, he replaces George Dobson who has been superb this evening.
86: GOOOOAL!! Djair Parfitt-Williams scores his second of the evening, this time steering Cullen's cross into the top corner. Get in! 3-1! COYI!
85: Free-kick to Fulham in a dangerous position, just outside the box...Humphreys takes it, yet the wall stands tall and blocks it. Smile connects well with the rebound yet Howes sweeps up.
81: Blistering run from Adeniran, he beats three men but can't beat Howes who makes a good save down to his left.
78: Fulham appeal for a penalty themselves but the referee is unmoved. Down the other end, Sam Ford shows intelligent forward play by holding the ball up well.
77: Reece Oxford with the overhead clearance on the edge of his own area. Why not?
73: Terry Westley responds to going a goal up by bringing on fresh legs in the shape of Amos Nasha who replaces Jaanai Gordon.
72: GOOOOAL!! Josh Cullen is felled in the box and it's the clearest penalty you'll ever see. He dusts himself down, picks his spot and sends Norman the wrong way. 2-1.
70: Josh Cullen's range of passing is a joy to watch. The precision, the creativity, the execution. You can tell training with the first team has really rubbed off on him.
68: The Cottagers make a change as Sakari Mattila is replaced by Joshua Walker. Plenty of industry and effort, the next goal is absolutely crucial.
66: Howes does well to clear his lines after a short pass back. Danger averted with minimum fuss.
64: Humphreys tries his luck from the edge of the box but Howes is more than equal to it.
62: The game is becoming increasingly stretched, very end to end but little by way of clear cut chances.
59: More superb play by Vashon Neufville, what a prospect this youngster is. He delievers two peaches, the first Makasi almost scores, the second almost catches Norman out.
56: Luka Belic is replaced by Sam Ford. A Dev Squad debut for the young trialist, he scored on his U18 debut last weekend...
54: More superb play by the midfield trio. Everything is coming from the Dobson-Cullen-Makasi axis. This time they work it out wide, the ball is whipped in and Pike swings a boot which is blocked well.
51: Just like the first half, the Hammers have come flying out of the traps. Can they make their dominance count this time?
48: Good hassling from the front three almost pays off as Parfitt-Williams is inches, millimetres even from blocking Norman's clearance and taking the lead. Pike does superbly to get to the byline, his cross finds Gordon who's looping header is held by Norman.
46: Back underway here at Motspur Park and the Hammers are almost off to the perfect start as Moses Makasi fires narrowly wide from the edge of the box.
45: Sam Howes makes a great save to deny Humphreys his second of the game after a quick breakaway. Half-time.
42: The momentum has switched back to the visitors know who look the more likely to score. We're into the final few minutes of a frantic first half.
39: GOOOOAL!! The Hammers equalise through Djair Parfitt-Williams who taps it home from Neufville's driven cross. That's his third goal in as many games! 1-1. COYI
32: Yet again, Neufville bursts forward causing havoc in the Cottagers' ranks. Unfortunately the move breaks down on the edge of the box. Seconds later, Makasi comes through with an expert sliding header-tackle, brave and improvised but it worked!
30: Lucas De La Torre smashed the apex with a fierce drive from the edge of the box.
28: Going a goal down has seemed to rattle the Hammers as Fulham are pushing for a second. However, Belic goes close, beating Norman for pace and finishing well only to be flagged for offside.
23: GOAL for Fulham. Joshua Smile shows an extra burst of pace to get down the left-flank, his cross is swept home by No9 Stephen Humphrys. 0-1.
20: Superb intricate passing between Oxford, Makasi and Dobson which allows Gordon space down the right. He cuts back but his pass to Cullen is cleared.
18: Chance for Fulham following sloppy passing at the back which allows Dennis Adeniran a sight of goal. His effort doesn't trouble Howes.
16: Following a head injury, Fulham's Nikolay Bodurov is replaced by Aron Davies.
14: Again the Hammers try and play it out from the back. Howes plays it to Dobson, who with men around him spins and lays it to Neufville, the youngster, with impressively quick feet plays it to Makasi who is fouled.
11: First proper shot of note as George Dobson bursts forward and unleashes a fierce drive which falls just wide of Norman's far post. Good effort! Down the other end, Doneil Henry outmuscles Humphreys to recover possession.
9: Half chance for Gordon who latches on to Dobson's superb ball over the defence, however with his back to goal, Fulham manage to shepherd him away from the danger zone.
7: Good move Hammers again. Makasi and Cullen keep it moving in the middle before Pike spins his man expertly. Unfortunately his pass is just too hard for Gordon to control.
5: Good early pressure from the Hammers. Josh Cullen drives a corner into the box, it's cleared to George Dobson who scuffs his shot, worth an effort though!
3: Sam Howes has to rush off his line to clear the danger before Doneil Henry plays an inviting ball forward. Jaanai Gordon chases after it but his pass to Alex Pike on the overlap is intercepted.
1: The hosts, in their traditional white get us under way. The Hammers are kicking right to left in the first half.
Here we go then! Reece Oxford leads the team out, pre-match handshakes are done and we're just seconds away!
18.45: Looking at the Barclays U21 Premier League table makes for pleasant reading these days. The Hammers' eight game unbeaten run has taken them to fifth, with another win today taking them joint second.
Added to that, a quarter-final on Wednesday against Blackburn Rovers at Rush Green to look forward to and it's Happy Hammers all round!
18.30: Away from tonight's game, there was more good news for the Academy of Football with the announcement that highly promising youngster Nathan Trott has signed a contract with the Club. Watch his first interview here.
18.20: Having already played each other twice already this season, the scores are 1-1. Tonight is the decider! The Cottagers sealed a 2-0 win back in October however the Hammers avenged the defeat by knocking the Cottagers out of the Barclays U21 Premier League Cup last week, after a thrilling 3-2 victory after extra-time.
18.00: As you can see from the Hammers' starting line up there are plenty of talking points. Since the Hammers last played, Kyle Knoyle, Stephen Hendrie and Elliot Lee have all gone out on loan. Alex Pike, Vashon Neufville and Luka Belic come into the side.
Doneil Henry comes in for Leo Chambers while Moses Makasi starts in place of Alex Song. Trialist Sam Ford starts on the bench while youngster Conor Coventry is also on the bench.
Hello and welcome to tonight's coverage from Fulham's Motspur Park as the Development Squad face the Cottagers for the second time in consecutive weeks.
Fulham: Norman, Sheckleford, Elworthy, Smile, Soler, Bodurov (Davies), Voser, Mattila, Humphreys, De La Torre, Adeniran
Subs: Dawber, Walker, Kwietniewski
Development Squad: Howes, Pike, Neufville, Dobson (Coventry 89), Henry, Oxford, Gordon (Nasha 73), Makasi, Belic (Ford 56), Cullen, Parfitt-Williams
Subs: T. Brown, Onariase
Referee: Ian Fissenden
That's the final whistle and the Hammers have extended their unbeaten run to nine games! A determined performance has been rewarded by a Djair Parfitt-Williams brace and a Josh Cullen penalty. Reaction to follow.
90+1: What a goal that would have been! Humphreys chests the ball with his back to goal, spins round and unleashes an unstoppable volley which cannons off the post. Unlucky, he has been by far and away the host's best player tonight.
89: U16 Conor Coventry comes on to make his Dev Squad debut, he replaces George Dobson who has been superb this evening.
86: GOOOOAL!! Djair Parfitt-Williams scores his second of the evening, this time steering Cullen's cross into the top corner. Get in! 3-1! COYI!
85: Free-kick to Fulham in a dangerous position, just outside the box...Humphreys takes it, yet the wall stands tall and blocks it. Smile connects well with the rebound yet Howes sweeps up.
81: Blistering run from Adeniran, he beats three men but can't beat Howes who makes a good save down to his left.
78: Fulham appeal for a penalty themselves but the referee is unmoved. Down the other end, Sam Ford shows intelligent forward play by holding the ball up well.
77: Reece Oxford with the overhead clearance on the edge of his own area. Why not?
73: Terry Westley responds to going a goal up by bringing on fresh legs in the shape of Amos Nasha who replaces Jaanai Gordon.
72: GOOOOAL!! Josh Cullen is felled in the box and it's the clearest penalty you'll ever see. He dusts himself down, picks his spot and sends Norman the wrong way. 2-1.
70: Josh Cullen's range of passing is a joy to watch. The precision, the creativity, the execution. You can tell training with the first team has really rubbed off on him.
68: The Cottagers make a change as Sakari Mattila is replaced by Joshua Walker. Plenty of industry and effort, the next goal is absolutely crucial.
66: Howes does well to clear his lines after a short pass back. Danger averted with minimum fuss.
64: Humphreys tries his luck from the edge of the box but Howes is more than equal to it.
62: The game is becoming increasingly stretched, very end to end but little by way of clear cut chances.
59: More superb play by Vashon Neufville, what a prospect this youngster is. He delievers two peaches, the first Makasi almost scores, the second almost catches Norman out.
56: Luka Belic is replaced by Sam Ford. A Dev Squad debut for the young trialist, he scored on his U18 debut last weekend...
54: More superb play by the midfield trio. Everything is coming from the Dobson-Cullen-Makasi axis. This time they work it out wide, the ball is whipped in and Pike swings a boot which is blocked well.
51: Just like the first half, the Hammers have come flying out of the traps. Can they make their dominance count this time?
48: Good hassling from the front three almost pays off as Parfitt-Williams is inches, millimetres even from blocking Norman's clearance and taking the lead. Pike does superbly to get to the byline, his cross finds Gordon who's looping header is held by Norman.
46: Back underway here at Motspur Park and the Hammers are almost off to the perfect start as Moses Makasi fires narrowly wide from the edge of the box.
45: Sam Howes makes a great save to deny Humphreys his second of the game after a quick breakaway. Half-time.
42: The momentum has switched back to the visitors know who look the more likely to score. We're into the final few minutes of a frantic first half.
39: GOOOOAL!! The Hammers equalise through Djair Parfitt-Williams who taps it home from Neufville's driven cross. That's his third goal in as many games! 1-1. COYI
32: Yet again, Neufville bursts forward causing havoc in the Cottagers' ranks. Unfortunately the move breaks down on the edge of the box. Seconds later, Makasi comes through with an expert sliding header-tackle, brave and improvised but it worked!
30: Lucas De La Torre smashed the apex with a fierce drive from the edge of the box.
28: Going a goal down has seemed to rattle the Hammers as Fulham are pushing for a second. However, Belic goes close, beating Norman for pace and finishing well only to be flagged for offside.
23: GOAL for Fulham. Joshua Smile shows an extra burst of pace to get down the left-flank, his cross is swept home by No9 Stephen Humphrys. 0-1.
20: Superb intricate passing between Oxford, Makasi and Dobson which allows Gordon space down the right. He cuts back but his pass to Cullen is cleared.
18: Chance for Fulham following sloppy passing at the back which allows Dennis Adeniran a sight of goal. His effort doesn't trouble Howes.
16: Following a head injury, Fulham's Nikolay Bodurov is replaced by Aron Davies.
14: Again the Hammers try and play it out from the back. Howes plays it to Dobson, who with men around him spins and lays it to Neufville, the youngster, with impressively quick feet plays it to Makasi who is fouled.
11: First proper shot of note as George Dobson bursts forward and unleashes a fierce drive which falls just wide of Norman's far post. Good effort! Down the other end, Doneil Henry outmuscles Humphreys to recover possession.
9: Half chance for Gordon who latches on to Dobson's superb ball over the defence, however with his back to goal, Fulham manage to shepherd him away from the danger zone.
7: Good move Hammers again. Makasi and Cullen keep it moving in the middle before Pike spins his man expertly. Unfortunately his pass is just too hard for Gordon to control.
5: Good early pressure from the Hammers. Josh Cullen drives a corner into the box, it's cleared to George Dobson who scuffs his shot, worth an effort though!
3: Sam Howes has to rush off his line to clear the danger before Doneil Henry plays an inviting ball forward. Jaanai Gordon chases after it but his pass to Alex Pike on the overlap is intercepted.
1: The hosts, in their traditional white get us under way. The Hammers are kicking right to left in the first half.
Here we go then! Reece Oxford leads the team out, pre-match handshakes are done and we're just seconds away!
18.45: Looking at the Barclays U21 Premier League table makes for pleasant reading these days. The Hammers' eight game unbeaten run has taken them to fifth, with another win today taking them joint second.
Added to that, a quarter-final on Wednesday against Blackburn Rovers at Rush Green to look forward to and it's Happy Hammers all round!
18.30: Away from tonight's game, there was more good news for the Academy of Football with the announcement that highly promising youngster Nathan Trott has signed a contract with the Club. Watch his first interview here.
18.20: Having already played each other twice already this season, the scores are 1-1. Tonight is the decider! The Cottagers sealed a 2-0 win back in October however the Hammers avenged the defeat by knocking the Cottagers out of the Barclays U21 Premier League Cup last week, after a thrilling 3-2 victory after extra-time.
18.00: As you can see from the Hammers' starting line up there are plenty of talking points. Since the Hammers last played, Kyle Knoyle, Stephen Hendrie and Elliot Lee have all gone out on loan. Alex Pike, Vashon Neufville and Luka Belic come into the side.
Doneil Henry comes in for Leo Chambers while Moses Makasi starts in place of Alex Song. Trialist Sam Ford starts on the bench while youngster Conor Coventry is also on the bench.
Hello and welcome to tonight's coverage from Fulham's Motspur Park as the Development Squad face the Cottagers for the second time in consecutive weeks.
Fulham: Norman, Sheckleford, Elworthy, Smile, Soler, Bodurov (Davies), Voser, Mattila, Humphreys, De La Torre, Adeniran
Subs: Dawber, Walker, Kwietniewski
Development Squad: Howes, Pike, Neufville, Dobson (Coventry 89), Henry, Oxford, Gordon (Nasha 73), Makasi, Belic (Ford 56), Cullen, Parfitt-Williams
Subs: T. Brown, Onariase
Referee: Ian Fissenden