With the game being played at the Cottagers training complex of Motspur Park, it was the Premier League Academy home side who were on top early on as good approach play by Charles Banya and Omri Altman saw them set up Cauley Woodrow for a low strike on goal which brought a good save out of Blues goalkeeper Jordan Parker. United responding well though as first Lance McGlen had a shot parried away by Fulham glovesman Grant Smith before Dave Symington saw his powerful drive unfortunately ping away off the base of the post.
The Cottagers were soon back on top though as Woodrow headed over from Lyle Della Verde’s cross then Mahrez Bettache fired a decent effort wide, Della Verde once more the provider moments later when his pass found Altman for a shot which Parker did well to push behind. Fulham did take the lead from the resultant corner in the 24th minute however when their £300,000 signing from Stuttgart, in Ronny Minkwitz, headed powerfully home from another Della Verde delivery.
Five minutes later, with that short period probably costing Carlisle the game, the home side went 2-0 up from the penalty spot after Brad Staunch brought down Altman, with the Israeli striker himself dusting himself off to send Parker the wrong way from 12 yards out. United though managing to give themselves a lifeline right on the stroke of half-time when they made it 2-1 as left-back Dale Minor (pictured) swung in a cross from the left which Smith completely misjudged on its way over him and into the top corner of his net, that being Minor's first goal in Carlisle colours.
It was the Cottagers on the front foot at the start of the second-half though as first Altman fired wide and then Della Verde had a low shot well saved by Parker. United though responding well when Mark Beck brought a sharp stop out of Smith, then Symington was denied an effort on goal thanks to an excellently timed tackle from Josh Passley. Things starting to swing more end to end now as Symington struck a shot wide before Bettache and Altman had close range efforts well blocked by a hard pressed Carlisle back-line.
United's best chance to find a levelling goal coming and going in the 75th minute when Beck rose well above Fulham defender Daniel O'Reilly, only to see his downward header superbly saved by Smith. The Cottagers, with the Cumbrians pushing men forward on the break, using their pace and strength to force a tremendous double save out of Parker, first from substitute Muamer Tankovic, and then on the rebound from winger Charles Banya.
The home side did manage to make sure of their place in the next stage of the FA Youth Cup with five minutes to go though as this time Tankovic and Banya combined together going forward to set up that man Minkwitz for a low shot into the net and what proved to be the killer blow for Carlisle. So, this year's run in the competition comes to an end for United, but they did put in a very spirited effort against a talented and expensively assembled Fulham side who now go on to face Peterborough United away in round four.
Fulham line-up :
Grant Smith, Alex Brister, Sean Kavanagh (Tom Richards 88), Ronny Minkwitz, Joshua Passley, Daniel O'Reilly, Mahrez Bettache, Lyle Della Verde (Muamer Tankovic 75), Cauley Woodrow (Derek Safo Tieku 85), Omri Altman, Charles Banya.
Substitutes :
Ollie Monguel and Solomon Samboy.
United line-up :
Jordan Parker, Lance McGlen (c), Dale Minor, Brad Staunch, Dillon Morse, Josh Todd, Jack Lynch (Brandon Gwinnutt 72), David Symington, Mark Beck, Brad Potts (Dan Jones 90), Patrick Brough (Jamie Clarey 72).
Substitutes :
Craig Rule (GK) and Tom Berwick.
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Youth Team Table : Click here