Fulham were out to redeem themselves on 2 fronts in this clash as they let 3 points slip away last week against West Beach and were also trying to get some revenge on the Downs for the 7-1 loss earlier in the season.

Fulham started off as it did last week and were all over the Downs early with some fine ball movement and it was rewarded early in the match when Matt Fitton finished well to put Fulham in front.

Downs were caught on the back foot and Fulham were pressing hard with Anthony Petraccaro working hard in the midfield and getting involved in a number of attacks.

It was Tait Geue who popped up and scored his first goal of the season with a goal that would be contender for goal of the year. He let rip from 30 yards and gave the keeper no chance as the ball went into the top corner.

Downs pegged a goal back before half time and the question was would the doubts enter Fulham’s mind again after letting a 2 goal lead slip last week against the Beach.

The second half saw the Downs press as they searched for an equaliser. Simon Mechis was introduced for his first game of the season for Fulham in a left wing back role and was finding his feet early. The Downs grabbed a second goal and the game was wide open with Fulham not dropping its bundle and giving its all to try and snatch a winner.

However it was the Downs who snatched a winner 10 minutes from time and again Fulham let 3 points slip through its fingers. This week however it did not lose the game as it did against West Beach but it was the Downs who won it and Fulham’s effort could not be questioned with every player giving all they had.

With 7 games to go if Fulham can keep re-producing the same effort it will pick up the points needed to ensure its safety in Division 1 for 2011 and it must start in a fortnight (after this week off) against a Paul Pezos led Pontian Eagles who themselves are in a precarious position only 1 point in front of Fulham.

Reserves:
Fulham United 1 : 0 Elizabeth Downs

It was a must win game for West Beach to stay alive and have any hope of avoiding relegation and it was equally important for Fulham as a win for them would see them go 9 points clear of West Beach and almost guarantee that they would not be caught.

With Fulham putting out its strongest team for the season and 3 fresh quality substitutes on the bench, Fulham were expected to win against bottom of the table Beach. They started off brilliantly pushing the ball around in sunny conditions and stretching an ordinary looking Beach outfit.

It was suddenly 1 nil when Matt Fitton put one in the back of the net followed closely by Michael Sancilio’s first goal of the season and Fulham were 2 nil up and cruising for what looked like an easy 3 points.

Fulham had its chances to go 3 up but just couldn’t get that killer blow in and just before half time West Beach showed some glimpses that the game was not over as 2 nil is always a dangerous score line.

The second half started as the first finished with West Beach playing itself back into the game and they got one back 15 minutes inwith a break down the left and the ball was squared back and finished well.

With West Beach having their tails up the secon goal for them came from a cross on the right that was not dealt with by Fulham and the ball was banged into the net from close range.

Fulham still had its chances to win the match with Fitton having a header go just wide but with just seconds remaining a West Beach free kick which looked like it was going straight to the Fulham keeper Hugh took a bad bounce and snuck under him and West Beach had the 3 points.

The win sees West Beach move within 3 points of Fulham and although Fulham should not start panicking they must start killing off teams when they have the chance.

Fulham play 6 of its last 8 games at home so the draw is kind to Fulham and a mid table finish is still on the cards however they must this week get past Elizabeth Downs who went down to top side Salisbury Florina 2-1 at the weekend and will prove a tough hurdle to overcome.

Reserves:
West Beach 0 : 0 Fulham United

Serie C:
West Beach 2 : 4 Fulham United

No match report availlable....... but the chicken wings were good!

Fulham were away from home in cold conditions but got out of the blocks early and were well on top. It was 2-0 inside the first 20 minutes with Matt Fitton on fire and continuing his good form from the last couple of weeks.

After the 2 early goals Para Hills West started to play itself into the game however Fulham always looked in control but were unable to add to its goal tally. 2 nil to Fulham at half time.

Within the opening 5 minutes of the second half Para Hills West were awarded a penalty for a dubious handball in the box. It was saved by Fulham keeper Hugh but the rebound went straight back to the West player who slotted the ball home to make it 2-1.

From that point the game could have changed but Fulham lifted a gear and it wasn’t long before Fitton had his hat rick. Shortly after it was 4-1 when a perfectly weighted cross from Anthony Petraccaro found the head of Ivano Paris who finished nicely.

The nail in West’s coffin came late in the game when substitute Ben Mauro followed his hat trick in the reserves last week with his first goal of the season in the A team and he must now be pushing for a spot in the starting 11.

Fulham’s win saw it push itself up into sixth spot and further away from the relegation zone.

This week sees Fulham tackle undefeated Parafield Gardens in the Second Round of the cup at home where it is looking to avenge its tight loss in the league fixture a few weeks back.

Reserves:
Para Hills West 1 : 1 Fulham United

C Grade:
Para Hills West 0 : 4 Fulham United

In cold conditions, and in a game Fulham had to win to keep climbing up the ladder, Fulham started well. The ball movement was good and Fulham looked to be in the mood and on song.

Matt Fitton was causing headaches for the Vikings defence up front and looked to be back to the form we have come to expect from him with his constant pressure and harassing of the opposition defence. Mid way through the first half when he got his head first to a ball inside the box and was punched in the face by the keeper who mis-timed his challenge and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. With Fitton off the field receiving treatment Ivano Paris stepped up to take the penalty but it was saved by the Vikings keeper.

Fitton was rewarded later in the half when he snuck in and again beat the keeper to the ball and this time the ball went into the back of the net and Fulham had a deserved 1 nil lead at half time.

The second half saw much of the same with Fulham controlling the play. Alex Mechis was holding the defence together well and Fulham’s midfield was on top and Fitton was everywhere in his best performance of the year.

Substitute Ben Mauro came on for Daniel Renucci up front and had a golden chance to make it 2 nil in his first involvement in the play but his effort produced an outstanding point blank save from the keeper.

The nail was hammered in the Vikings coffin shortly after when a square ball was tucked away nicely by Paris and the game finished at 2 nil.

It could have been 3 nil but a late Paris goal was disallowed for offside.

With the teams below Fulham all winning except for West Beach the pressure is still on Fulham to keep up its run of recent good form. It tackles Para Hills West this week away from home where a win will see it leapfrog West into a solid mid table position which is where Fulham should be with the squad it has available.

Reserves:
Fulham United 5 : 0 Adelaide Vikings
(Ben Mauro hat-trick)

Serie C:
Fulham United 1 : 2 Adelaide Vikings

In wet and windy conditions it was a must win game for both sides as they were at the wrong end of the table and a lossfor either would really put the team in a relegation fight at this early stage of the season.

Fulham started well pushing the ball around against a physical Vale side. Anthony “Bubba” Morabito took the gloves for Fulham due to the injury to Steve Dominic and looked confident in his first appearance for Fulham in goals.

Fulham lost Illario Fazzalari with a hamstring injury in the first 5 minutes and was replaced by Julian Savio. The best chance of the half for Vale came from a free kick which was smashed against the cross bar and out to safety for Fulham. Bubba was called upon once more in the first half to make a save when a header from the Vale was goal bound but was pushed away in time.

Then just before half time an attack down the left saw the ball finish with Frank Barbaro who shot was deflected into the net and Fulham went into the break 1 nil up.

The second half saw Fulham grind away and did all it could to keep the Vale from scoring. It was scrappy at times but Fulham looked comfortable defending in general play but always looked vulnerable against the Vales set pieces.

Fulham had an golden chance to extend their lead when Matt Fitton and substitute John ny Lipari combined well but the final ball across the 6 yard box from Lipari was just a little too hard for Fitton.

Fulham held the Vale out and clinched the vital 3 points.

This week Fulham are at home against local rival Adelaide Vikings who are coached by former Fulham coach Cosi Salerno who returns to Collins Reserve for the first time as a rival coach. The game is certain to produce some fireworks so it is a game that should not be missed.

Reserves:
Elizabeth Vale 2 : 1 Fulham United

Serie C:
Elizabeth Vale 0 : 4 Fulham United

In a match Fulham desperately needed to get a result in, they started the game well and looked to be playing with some new found confidence after its Round 1 Cup win against Adelaide Comets.

Parafield were sitting top of the table but Fulham looked comfortable defending against them and even created a golden chance when from a corner defender Tait Geue found himself free and his header from 6 yards went just over the bar.

Parafield had some chances as well but were being kept out by some good defending and keeping from new goalie Stave Dominic and the score stayed at 0-0 at half time.

The second half saw Parafield come out with purpose and had Fulham on the back foot and pinned in their defensive half for long periods.

2 good saves from Dominic denied Gardens the lead and Fulham also had its chances from a Daniel Renucci shot that was saved by the keeper as well as a long throw from Ilario Fazzalari that bounced right across Parafield’s 6 yard box but there was no Fulham player there to knock it in.

Keeper Dominic was substituted in the 80th minute with cramp and was replaced by Damian Gesuato who was returning from injury. He immediately got into the action when he cleared a dangerous through ball when it had pierced the Fulham defence.

However Parafield ripped the guts out of Fulham in the last 5 minutes when from a corner the ball was headed in by the Parafield captain Paul Ebomo and the visitors held on to win 1-0.

It was an improved performance from Fulham but with no reward, and this week they must travel to Elizabeth Vale who are also struggling and are sitting on 2 points. It is a game that Fulham cannot afford to lose as its draw in the next 3 weeks are against teams in the lower half of the table and must make its move now to get itself off the bottom of the ladder.

Reserves:
Fulham United 1 : 3 Parafield Gardens

In what is always a tough away fixture Fulham started the game off solidly and were mixing it well with the home team. Chances were few and far between for both sides but Fulham at least had rectified the problems from the last couple of games and had not conceded an early goal.

But all this changed 5 minutes before half time and Fulham were hit with 2 quick goals and Fulham found itself going into the half time break 2 goals down.

The second half saw Fulham continue to fight hard but things went from bad to worse . A further 5 goals were conceded with the only consolation being an Anthony Petcracarro free kick which was struck sweetly and put Fulham on the score sheet.

The effort of the players could not be questioned with defender Tait Gue, midfielder Frank Barbaro (replaced late in the second half due to injury) and forward Matt Fitton the best of the bunch. Fortunately Fulham have time to re-group this week before its next league game against Parafield Gardens at home.

Fulham are up against Saturday Division 2 side Adelaide Comets (away) this week in the first round of the cup and have the chance to chalk up a much needed win and gain some momentum before its next league game.

Reserves:
Ingle Farm 0 : 2 Fulham United

Serie C:
Ingle Farm 1 : 2 Fulham United

In a fixture that was changed to Friday night, the game was played in perfect conditions. Fulham desperately needed to bounce back after the heavy loss to the Downs last week and Pontian were also looking to add to their one win of the season.

Fulham started well and had a good chance when Daniel Renucci found his way through the Pontian defence but his left foot shot went wide. After a fairly even opening 20 minutes it was Pontian who grabbed the lead from a well taken free kick from 30 yards out. The shot went around the wall and past an outstretched Damian Gesuato.

Shortly after the second goal came for Pontian in controversial circumstances. After Gesuato had collected the ball from a corner there was a bit of niggle between a Pontian player and Gesuato. Gesuato retaliated and Pontian were subsequently awarded a penalty by the referee. Clearly the outcome should have been an indirect free kick to Pontian but the referees decision was final and the home side went 2 up after converting the spot kick and it stayed that way until half time.

The second half saw much of the same from Fulham where it played well in patches but could not penetrate to give its forwards Matt Fitton and Renucci a clear chance on goal. The central midfield looked flat and lacked a spark which Fulham desperately needed to give itself a lift.

Pontian caught Fulham on the break for its third and fourth goals and Fulham again found itself at the wrong end of a bad loss. The score line was a little flattering to Pontian but Fulham needs to create more chances as well as tightening up at the back to get itself back to where it should be which is definitely not the bottom of the table.

The draw doesn’t get any easier for Fulham this week as it travels to Ingle Farm where it has never got a result on a pitch that heavily favours the home side. However Fulham has to start somewhere and this week would be a perfect chance to stand up and show that it is a far better side than the results are showing.

Reserves:
Pontian Eagles 1 : 3 Fulham United

In what is one of the toughest away games in Division 1, Fulham started off well and looked to be switched on early after a scare in the first minute when a penalty claim for the Downs was waived away by the referee for a foul inside the box.

Fulham had a glorious chance to go 1 up when Matt Fitton was put through with just the keeper to beat but his shot was well saved by the Downs keeper. Fulham were then made to pay for some ordinary defending when from a free kick a Downs player ghosted into the box from deep unmarked to head home past keeper Damian Gesuato.

However Fulham kept pushing the ball around well with new signing Alex Mechis and Anthony Petraccaro combining well in the midfield. Damian Basso and Anthony Girorgio were also putting in some nice balls from the left and right which were worrying the Downs defence.

It was a nice ball over the top which went in behind the Downs defence for Fitton to latch onto and finish well and Fulham got there well deserved equaliser.

But Fulham were punished again shortly after from another set piece when an unmarked Downs player again got into the box to header home and make it 2-1. Fulham then had a chance to equalise again when a nice ball was put over to Basso whose attempted volley went wide of the mark from the edge of the penalty spot.

Just before half time Downs broke through into the penalty box and Gesuato just flicked the Downs players feet before the ball and the referee pointed to the penalty spot where it was put away nicely to make it 3-1 at half time.

The second half it was all Downs in every corner of the park. It was 4-1 inside 55 minutes and when Steve Dominic was sent off after his second yellow card and Mechis was replaced with a hamstring strain things went from bad to worse for Fulham. Downs made full advantage of the extra player as it stretched Fulham and the game finished 7-1.

It was a disappointing end with the only upside being that Fulham can quickly redeem itself, with its game against Pontians brought forward from Sunday to Friday night. It is a game where Fulham must get a result so it can get its season back on track.

Reserves:
Elizabeth Downs 1 : 1 Fulham United

The opening match of the 2010 season was a significant day as it officially kicked off the 40th Anniversary Celebrations of the club. To mark the occasion the team took to the field in a commemorative heritage strip very similar to that worn by the original team back in 1970 and were pitted against local rivals West Beach.

The team welcomed new comers Damian Gesuato and Ivano Paris to the starting lineup with Illario Fazzalari taking a spot on the bench. Before the game long time Fulham United midfielder Anthony Petraccaro was named captain for the season.

Fulham started well with Paris in the centre of midfield distributing some nice through balls to the Fulham forwards.

West Beach also looked dangerous at times and from the first corner of the match punished Fulham for some ordinary defending. From the corner the ball went over the head of Fulham keeper Gesuato and receiving no back up from the defence West Beach easily won the header to make it 1 nil to the visitors.

From there Fulham played itself into the game and shook off its early nerves. They were finally rewarded with a goal which started from a Paris free kick which was partially saved by the West Beach keeper. The loose ball then ended up back in the 6 yard box and from a goal mouth scramble was put away from close range by ex West Beach striker Daniel Renucci.

Fulham then lifted its game another notch and were outplaying West Beach and after another good spell got a second goal just before half time when Matt Fitton finished off some nice build up work and Fulham went into the break with a well deserved lead.

The second half was finely ballanced but when James Bradford went off with a hamstring strain it was Beach who started to look like it could sneak an equaliser. Again the goal for Beach came from a corner. It was played deep to the corner of the 18 yard box to an unmarked Beach player who volleyed superbly into the top corner to make it 2-2.

Fulham pushed for the winner and were unlucky when captain Petraccaro rattled the cross bar with a thunder bolt from 30 yards and Fitton headed just wide in the closing minutes .

This week Fulham takes on Elizabeth Downs away in what will be a tough assignment. The boys will hope to display the form it showed the last time it travelled to the the Downs when it achieved a memorable 3 nil victory.


Reserves:
Fulham United 2 : 2 West Beach