A sold out Kingsmeadow held the west London derby as Fulham beat our development squad 3-0 despite a strong starting line-up from our young Blues which featured some men's squad members.

The game was tough for our development squad as a slow start allowed our opponents to take the lead. A sliced clearance gave Luke Harris an easy finish past Ted Sharman-Lowe.

Just before half time he doubled the lead as he pounced on a loose clearance from the Chelsea keeper and drove his subsequent effort into the bottom corner.

He completed his hat-trick not long after the hour mark as he was the quickest to react to a Terry Ablade shot which was parried in the six-yard area.

Team news

There were seven changes made to the side that thrashed Wolverhampton Wanderers 7-1 last week. Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ethan Ampadu and Trevoh Chalobah all came into the side as some first-team members were given some important minutes.

The last three changes came in the goalkeeping and striker positions as Jayden Wareham replaced Mason Burstow, Ben Elliot was used instead of Charlie Webster and Ted Sharman-Lowe came in for Eddie Beach.

Subdued beginnings

Despite a packed venue, it was a very quiet start from both teams with the opening 10 minutes of the game lacking any real rhythm. Both teams were seeking to command possession of the ball but neither stamped their authority on the game.

It was our young Blues who fashioned the first chance of the game as Omari Hutchinson picked up the ball in the middle of the park and carried it well towards the goal. With options left and right of him the summer recruit decided to go alone but dragged a shot narrowly wide.

Away side strike first

It took another 10 minutes for the next chance of the game, and it fell to the away side who capitalised on a miss-hit clearance from Ampadu. Harris received the ball following the mistake and fired into the net leaving Sharman-Lowe rooted.

The goal put the away side in the ascendancy as the Cottagers put more pressure on Sharman-Lowe’s goal. Harris was again threatening the Chelsea backline as he fired in a dangerous cross which flew by everyone. Any touch would have seen their lead doubled.

Mountain to climb

With half-time approaching the away side did get their second as Chilwell was rushed into a back pass to Sharman-Lowe which he could only clear as far as Harris. The Fulham No10 lashed a left-footed strike into the bottom corner of the net beyond the reach of the Chelsea shot-stopper.

Heavy rain followed the goal and we almost equalised instantly as a mistake at the back allowed Hutchinson the time to control and set himself but his shot from the edge of the box flew over the bar.

We began the second half strongly and were giving the away team no opportunity to get out of their half. Elliot struck a deflected effort goalwards which went agonisingly wide. Wareham was next to go close as he was slipped in on goal by Chukwuemeka but the former Woking striker lost his footing when attempting to set himself after rounding the keeper.

Unfortunate day

Against the run of play, despite our positive efforts, Fulham sealed the victory with a third and it was Harris who got his hat-trick. Ablade charged towards goal and his left-footed strike was parried into a dangerous area by Sharman-Lowe, allowing Harris to pounce as he reacted quickest to seal his hat-trick.

Charlie Robinson almost scored a fourth for the visitors as a drilled in corner was diverted wide of the post. It was proving to be a tough day for our young Blues as second-half substitute Lewis Hall blazed over from just inside the box after a fantastic set-up from Elliot.

It would end 3-0 to the away side as, despite a strong starting line-up and some good chances we fell short under the lights at Kingsmeadow.

What's next?

The fixtures come thick and fast for our development squad as we return to action on Saturday 20 August, making the short trip to Meadow Park to face Arsenal.

Academy winger moves to the Potters

In other Academy news, Edwin Andersson has made a permanent move to Stoke City.

The 18-year-old wide midfielder was in our Academy for two seasons, featuring primarily for our Under-18s but with a handful of appearances for our development squad.

Last season, during which he added an ability to play at wing-back, he was one of our top appearance makers for the Under-18s, scoring seven times in 26 games. 

Chelsea (3-4-3): Ted Sharman-Lowe; Trevoh Chalobah, Ethan Ampadu, Bashir Humphreys; Dion Rankine, Xavier Simons, Ben Elliot, Ben Chilwell; Carney Chukwuemeka (Lewis Hall 66), Omari Hutchinson (Joe Haigh 79), Jayden Wareham (Mason Burstow 66)
Unused subs: Xavier Mbuyamba, Eddie Beach
Booked: Simons 45+1

Fulham (4-3-3): George Wickens; Luciano D’Auria-Henry, Idris Odutayo, Charlie Robinson, Connor McAvoy; Matt Dillion-Dins, Ollie O’Neil (c), Adrion Pajaziti; Terry Ablade (Callum McFarlane 79), Luke Harris, Sylvester Jasper (Kristian Sekularac 84)
Unused subs: Alfie McNally, Jay Williams, Ibane Bowat
Scorer: Harris 22, 40, 69
Booked: D’Auria-Henry 21, O’Neil 66