Andranik plays 45 min in Fulham's pre-season friendly

Roy Hodgson handed summer signing David Stockdale his first start in goal for Fulham on Tuesday night in a starting eleven which featured several first team regulars, including Hangeland, Konchesky, Bullard and Davies.

Erik Nevland and David Healy got the game underway and despite Fulham dominating possession in the opening exchanges it was the Shrimpers who created the best of the first half opportunities on goal.

The Whites made a tidy start to the game, retaining possession with some tidy one-touch football. Steven Davis, playing on the right hand side of midfield looked sharp on the right hand side of midfield and handed Jimmy Bullard the first opportunity of the game, winning a free-kick 25 yards from goal. Bullard’s set piece had Southend keeper Mildenhall beaten but his effort flew just over the cross bar.

The home side highlighted their attacking intentions early on when Damien Scannell fired in a speculative 25 yard drive. In the Fulham goal Stockdale had the shot covered all the way before the ball lifted over the bar to safety.

After 11 minutes of play Brede Hangeland surged through the middle of the park before being bundled to the ground. From the resulting free-kick Fulham worked the ball out to Leon Andreasen on the right hand side the area. The Dane fired in a first time volley which Southend keeper Mildenhall could only parry to safety at the near post.

However it was the home side that created the first clear cut chance of the game and Lee Barnard should have put the Shrimpers a goal to the good. A through ball from midfield cut through the heart of Fulham’s back line and into the right hand side of the area. The striker picked his spot at the far post but Stockdale’s block was enough to deny Barnard.

The home side’s confidence grew after Barnard’s attempt and Stockdale was forced to pull off another save moments later when Nicky Bailey fired in from the left hand side of the area. Southend’s most productive work came down the left flank but lacked a final flourish.

The game certainly didn’t lack bite with some full-blooded challenges from both sides. David Healy required treatment after 25 minutes following a 50-50 challenge with Adam Barrett. Healy took a few minutes to run off the effects of the challenge but was back in the thick of the action moments later.

Jimmy Bullard showed no signs of a summer break with another characteristic high-octane performance and on 38 minutes tried his luck from distance but his right-footed drive from 30 yards sailed over the bar.

Before the break James Walker dispossessed Moritz Volz on the half way line and raced down the left flank. Faced with four Fulham players on the 18 yard line Walker played the ball square but Barnard was off the pace to latch onto the ball.

Nicky Bailey almost earned Southend the lead right before the break with a tremendous dribble through the heart of Fulham’s defence. Bailey collected the ball 30 yards from goal, dribbled past two Fulham defenders and into Fulham’s area. Fortunately for Fulham Stockdale was equal to Bailey’s low drive to the right post and saved.

Both managers made changes for the second half. Steve Tilson brought on Osei Sankofa and Paul Furlong for Johnny Herd and Damien Scannell respectively.

Roy Hodgson revised his midfield and defence for the second period. In central midfield Murphy and Andranik replaced Bullard and Andreasen and in defence Hughes and Kallio came on for Hangeland and Konchesky.

Fulham’s revised line-up certainly began the second half with more intent. After barely a minute’s play Nevland struck the crossbar with a finely placed shot from the edge of the area and seconds later David Healy earned a direct free-kick 25 yards from goal after a neat one-two with Nevland.

Healy was bundled to the ground and substitute Danny Murphy stepped up to take the set piece. The midfielder curled a right footed free-kick over the wall which looked destined for the bottom right hand corner of Mildenhall’s goal. However Southend’s keeper was alert to the danger and made a fine save.

Fulham opened the scoring on 59 minutes through Erik Nevland. Steven Davis, who switched to left midfield after the break, sent in a deep cross from the left. His 40 yard ball caused confusion in the Southend defence and Nevland capitalised on Mildenhall’s poor handling with a simple header into an empty net.

Danny Murphy doubled Fulham’s lead on 61 minutes with a precise low right footed drive from the right hand side of the area. After some neat play on the edge of Southend’s area the ball fell into Murphy’s path and the midfielder made no mistake with his finish.

Steve Tilson made one final substitution, brining on Ian Joyce for Steve Mildenhall in goal and for Fulham Steven Davis made way for Lee Cook on 65 minutes. After all his injury troubles last season Cook looked eager to make a strong impression and on his first run beat two Southend defenders before delivering a low cross to the near post. Cook was in the thick of it moments later after a tussle with Alan McCormack following a hefty challenge by the centre half.

Fulham’s second half dominance was interrupted when David Stockdale was called into action twice in as many minutes to make two fine saves at the near post 15 minutes from time. Paul Furlong and Alan McCormack sent two goal bound headers in on goal but Stockdale was well positioned on the near post to deny the home side.

Despite the two goal deficit Southend persevered and Lee Barnard almost pulled one back with a superb solo effort. The winger turned his marker on the left flank and sent a thunderous curling shot from 25 yards which flew just wide of Stockdale’s far post.

Moments later Referee M. Hegley called time on the game at Roots Hall. Fulham will be pleased with a convincing second half performance and will now turn their attentions towards Saturday’s clash with Celtic at Craven Cottage.