After a succession of runaway league wins this season, Fulham Ladies looked to stretch themselves in a friendly game against the French U21 side last Saturday.

The match between two technically skillful teams produced an even first 20 minutes, with scoring opportunities for both sides.

Sanchia Duncan went closest for Fulham with a header that went inches over the crossbar, while the French hit the post.

But midway through the first half Fulham began to take control of the game and scored from the penalty spot.

Katie Chapman went down under challenge in the box and Margunn Haugenes stepped up to score on 27 minutes.

Fulham's second came after good work by Kristy Moore, who dribbled past two players and delivered an excellent cross for Rachel McArthur to hammer home.

The second half saw Fulham completely dominate and play at a high tempo.

Their excellent passing play carved out lots of goalscoring opportunities, but ironically it was a Frenchwoman who extended Fulham's lead. The unfortunate player put the ball into her own net after Duncan crossed for Rachel Yankey.

With 10 minutes to go, the U21s scored from their only chance of the second half after Fulham defender Lene Terp pulled her hamstring and went down, leaving her opponent in acres of space to slide the ball past Jody Smith. Fulham's response was swift and McArthur got her second of the game, again after good work by Moore.

Manager Gaute Haugenes was pleased with the way his side had played and said: "We learn a lot from playing top international opponents like this and I feel our fitness, technique and shape have improved immensely."

Fulham recovered from the French game suitably quickly to thrash Queens Park Rangers 14-0 in the National League South Division on Sunday.

Effort

Within seconds of the start, Moore saw her shot come back off the post and Chapman's effort was kicked off the QPR goalline.

But Fulham did take the lead in the third minute when goalkeeper Jody Smith found Chapman, who placed the ball for Yankey to run onto and hit past Rangers' keeper.

Five minutes later Moore was brought down in the penalty area and Haugenes netted from the spot.

Duncan made it 3-0 shortly afterwards and then created the fourth when she passed to Chapman, who simply passed the ball into the net. Rachel Unitt then put over an excellent centre which Duncan met first for Fulham's fifth goal.

It was 6-0 by the 32nd minute, as Haugenes combined with McArthur to score and two further strikes followed from Chapman and Moore.

QPR's young goalkeeper made some fine saves just before half time to keep the score down to 8-0.

In the second half, Kim Jerray-Silver from just outside the penalty area hit an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net and Haugenes made it double figures.

Seun Odiniyi and Kirsty Percival called up from the reserves after some impressive performances replaced Rachel Unitt and Sancia Duncan in time to see Moore score again with a well-taken shot.

In the 80th minute, Yankey dribbled past two players and unleashed a cracking shot into the top left-hand corner.

Haugenes went on to score an easy tap-in and in the 90th minute Jerray-Silver placed a shot into the bottom left hand corner.

Manager Haugenes said: "It has been a tough week, with three games played. With a couple of players on international duty, and others injured, it has been hard for the remaining players. But I was very impressed with them and pleased with their professional attitudes."

Fulham: Smith, Jerray-Silver, Petersen (Gibbons 46 min), Phillip, Unitt (Odiniyi 62min), McArthur, Chapman, Haugenes, Duncan (Percival 62 min), Moore, Yankey

November 27, 2001 11:00