U18s: Fulham 5-5 Aston Villa

Aston Villa shared a thrilling 5-5 draw against Fulham in the Under-18 Premier League South on Saturday.

Jack McGrath’s impressive first-half brace for the Young Lions cancelled out goals from Tarrell Cavell and Will Sutton-Bangura to ensure it was all square at the break.

Villa then raced into a 4-2 lead courtesy of quickfire efforts from Vincely Mudame and Markie Meade early in the second half at Motspur Park.

Only for the Cottagers to respond in kind through Markuss Gomins, Leo Hamilton and Lewis Konadu-Wall, ensuring they led 5-4 heading into the final stages.

But Meade struck the 10^th goal of a breathless game in the 81^st minute as it finished honours even and the spoils were shared.

It leaves Richard Beale’s side with two draws from their opening two matches of the season, with a trip to Leeds United up next in the U18 Premier League Cup on Tuesday.

Cavell fired Fulham ahead in the ninth minute as the home side capitalised on a counter-attack, before McGrath curled home a sublime 20-yard equaliser midway through the first half.

The Cottagers regained their advantage just after the half-hour mark when Sutton-Bangura pounced inside the area.

However, in the third minutes of added time, McGrath bagged his second of the afternoon with another fine turn and finish from the edge of the penalty area.

Two goals in three minutes early in the second period put the visitors in the box seat, Mudame slamming home from close range before Meade headed past Fulham ‘keeper Matt Bagot.

Yet, Fulham refused to give up and turned the game on its head thanks to three goals in the space of just five minutes.

Khai Vally hit a post before Gomins headed in from a corner, Hamilton found the top corner from 12 yards and then Konadu-Wall pounced in the 72^nd minute.

But Meade had the final say nine minutes from time, applying a well-taken finish to sub Kairi Ketebu’s cross.