Ground #2- Craven Cottage

Date: 27th September 2023

Match: Fulham vs Norwich City

Competition: League Cup - 3rd round 

Price: £18

Cup competitions such as the League  Cup and FA Cup are a great way to get grounds ticked off, if you are looking at doing the 92.

When the draw for this round came out, I was looking at potential ties to go to. With  a prem being at home to a side in the league below, this tie looked a  good candidate. Once making sure there was no train strikes on the day ( You can never be  too careful these days) it was sorted.

My journey started at the train station. Where I hot chocolate in hand jumped on to a train heading to Brighton, getting off at London Thames link. Then a busy tube train to Putney Bridge followed. This was full of people who had finished work and people who were going to the games at Stamford Bridge and Craven Cottage. Getting of the tube it was 15 minute walk to the ground.

Outside the cottage 

Craven Cottage is located next to the Thames and has a nice old school feel on the outside. 

Inside I grabbed a pie & soft drink meal deal for £7. The pie was decent and warm; and didn't come in a stupid plastic wrapper some clubs do. I then made my way to my seat for the evening.

I loved the old fashion wooden stairs and seats that they had in the Johnny Hayes stand. 

I then took in the view I would have for the match.

This was a decent match. Sometimes when both sides make alot of changes (7 & 9 respectively)  it can take a while for the match to get going. 

Fulham started strongly and looked good going down there left hand side, winning a flurry of corners. They took the lead on 12 minutes when a free kick was whipped into the box, and Alex Iwobi knocked the ball across goal and Carlos Vinicius tapped home. Both sides had changes in the 1st half to add to the score, but neither side couldn't quite apply the finishing touch.

Fulham celebrate going 1-0 up.

The mascot Billy Badger greeted fans at half time.

Norwich started the 2nd half brightly, but wasn't able to find an equaliser. Fulham went 2-0 up on 72 minutes when Alew Iwobi when fired into the bottom corner from just outside the area after some short passing after Norwich lost possession trying to play out from the back. . Norwich got a consolation goal just a few minutes later when sub Sainz grabbed a goal. Norwich pushed for an equaliser.. Overall a good game in a ground I haven't been to before. I'm now up to 53/92.

There was a slight frustration once outside the ground, as people who got the tube had to get a different tube (Hammersmith) for reasons only Transport For London will understand. 

Attendance: 12,831

Man of the match: Alex Iwobi