Ipswich Town stage great second half comeback at Portman Road to knock Premier League Fulham out of the FA Youth Cup
Premier League Fulham were vanquished from the FA Youth Cup at the third round stage by Ipswich Town after a dramatic 3-2 come-from-behind victory at Portman Road last night, reports Jacob Henderson.
Brooklyn Kabongolo, Bury St Edmunds' Liam Gibbs and Harley Curtis scored for Adem Atay's side, who trailed by two goals at the break.
The visitors were in control after 45 minutes following goals from Imani Lanquedoc and Mika Biereth, but couldn't deal with a rampant Town side in the second half.
Kabongolo's bullet header got the Blues back in the game, before a Gibbs penalty and Curtis toe-poke saw Town complete the turnaround in dramatic fashion.
The Cottagers took the lead in the 17th minute when Lanquedoc fired in from the edge of the area - Blues shot-stopper Lewis Ridd standing no chance as the Fulham midfielder beautifully found the back of the net.
And in the 25th minute they extended their advantage. Tricky winger Ollie O'Neill beat his man before drilling low into the area for Biereth to smash in from about 10 yards out.
It remained that way until half-time, with Fulham enjoying plenty of possession without really threatening to add a third.
Straight after the restart Kabongolo's header gave Town hope. Gibbs whipped in a lovely free-kick and the Blues defender rose highest to head into the top corner.
Town continued to search for an equaliser but couldn't quite find the final pass as Fulham looked like they would see the game out and be in the hat for the fourth round draw.
But, just as the game headed into stoppage time, Curtis went down following a kick just inside the area, and Gibbs would have a chance to level from the spot.
The midfielder stepped and casually sent the ball into the back of the net, with Fulham shot-stopper Alex Borto going the wrong way.
Just as extra-time loomed on a freezing night in Suffolk, Curtis connected with a header back into the penalty area and stabbed home to send the young Blues and the coaching staff into a state of ecstasy.
Curtis peeled off towards the corner flag with every member of the Town team joining him for celebrations on the frosty turf.
Fulham won themselves a corner in the final few seconds but the young Blues defended superbly to secure the victory and progress from the third round.
Details regarding the fourth round draw will be released in due course.
Town: Ridd, Wyss (Valentine 78'), Armin, Alexander, Kabongolo, Baggott, Humphreys, Cutbush, Bello (Curtis 36'), Gibbs, Siziba (Manly 81').
Unused subs: Catley, Stewart, Chirewa, Bareck.
Booked for Town: Ridd, Armin, Humphreys.
Match sponsor: John Fowlers Solicitors
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