QPR U18 (1) – Sheffield Wednesday U18 (1)
U18 Professional Development League 2
Team: Jones, Putman, Adjetey-Brew, Keita-Turay, Cuthbert, Radojevic, Strachan, Neill, Hassan, Neziri, Kennedy
Subs: Loades, Street, Skeete, Hamid, Recber
On a very bright and warm TSG Elite Training Centre, the initial 15 minutes or so were fairly even.
The first attempt at goal fell to the visitors following a corner. A free header hit the upright and La’Trell Jones pushed the ball behind.
At the other end, a superb ball found Rico Kennedy and his shot was kept out by Logan Stretch’s legs.
Then, Enis Neziri fired the ball on the volley, but it was aimed directly at the keeper.
The Rangers No.10’s corner was curled in, and Logan Stretch did well to push the ball away to safety.
Rico Kennedy and Lorenzo Strachan had switched sides and at the break it remained goalless.
The Owls took the lead seven minutes into the second-half, after the home side had given the ball away. Will Grainger took possession and he proceeded to pick his spot.
Charlie Street replaced Cory Adjetey-Brew.
La’Trell Jones made a very good two-handed save following a powerful strike at goal.
The home side got a deserved equaliser after a great run by Rico Kennedy. The R’s No.11 set-up a well-placed Lorenzo Strachan, who then tapped the ball into the net.
The Rangers keeper made a superb close-range save at the far-post following a dangerous cross from the right.
Mehmet Recber was introduced at the expense of Lorenzo Strachan.
As Rangers were attempting to take a free kick, Aodhan Sopala persisted in standing over the ball and not surprisingly Mr Mayer booked him.
Some excellent defending from Charlie Street saw the substitute defender taking control of the ball in the box, before taking it wide and on to safety.
Gabriel Cuthbert was the next player to be cautioned and Hassan Hamid came on for Luka Radojevic.
Rico Kennedy went on a great run down the right and, whilst under pressure, the R’s No.11 continued on to a position close to the bye-line. His ball into the six-yard box then went behind for a corner.
Bombing down the wing with his shirt being tugged, Rico Kennedy still managed to cross the ball, where Enis Neziri’s effort flashed just wide of the post.
The R’s finished the stronger of the two sides, but at the final whistle it remained 1-1.
On Saturday, the U18’s will travel to Wheatsheaf Park to take on Brentford.
Steve Russell