A formidable performance from visiting goalkeeper Dino Kaiser saw our Under-18s denied in our final home outing of the season as Fulham ran out 3-2 winners at Hotspur Way on Wednesday afternoon.
Having produced an uncharacteristic display in the first half which saw us trail 3-1 at the break, we were much the better side in the second period but, despite halving the deficit with 25 minutes still to play, we were ultimately unable to take anything from the game with the visitors' man in between the stick thwarting us on numerous occasions.
Unfortunately, we had found ourselves behind as early as the fifth minute as a bright start from Fulham saw winger Macauley Zepa put the ball on a plate for Tom Wingate to tap home. But we responded to that setback well and managed to get ourselves level on 19 minutes as fine wing play from Reiss Elliot-Parris teed up George Feeney to stroke home from inside the area.
That parity though lasted just a matter of seconds though as almost straight from kick-off, the Whites responded and with a vengeance - Zepa driving towards goal before firing from range past Sam Archer.
Dominant in the first half, Fulham grabbed their third 10 minutes later thanks again to positive play on the right involving Zepa. The lively winger released Seth Chingwaro towards the byline who cut the ball back and across goal. Malachi Hardy was first to it and attempted to clear however, the ball looped and fell kindly for Aidan Evans to latch onto and lash in.
As aforementioned, it was a performance much unlike what we have seen from Stuart Lewis' side this term so it was no surprise that after a reset at the break, the boys came out with much more purpose about their play.
That, and the introduction of Tynan Thompson, saw us reduce the deficit on 64 minutes as, after Thompson had teed Luca Williams-Barnett for what looked like a certain goal, only for it to be cleared off the line, Feeney was swiftly brought down in the box to win us a penalty. Ellis Lehane stepped up to take the spot kick and duly dispatched it.
From there, if felt like it was more a case of when not if we would score our equaliser however, despite a considerable amount of knocking on the door, we were unable to find a way past the impressive Kaiser.
In the games late stages we laid siege to the visitors' goal. Not allowing them out of their half, we continually stormed the Cottagers' area but were continually denied, whether that was through the absence of the clinical nature required or the resilient Bosnia & Herzegovina shot stopper.
Williams-Barnett, Feeney, Daniel Batty, Miracle Adewole and Lehane all had efforts - some even multiple - on goal as we looked to secure parity but, ultimately, it wasn't to be as Fulham battened down the hatches to get away with all three points.