QPR Development Squad (2) – Bristol City U21 (2)

U21 Professional Development League 2

Team: Warren, Adamson, Putman, Smith, Akindileni, Alemayehu, Sanyaolu, Aoraha, Bennie, Pearman, Hassan

Subs: Halliday, Street, Dyke, Coomes, O’Brien

On an overcast afternoon at the TSG Training Centre, captain for the Bristol City side was no other than Joe Lumley.

And, also at Heston were the Senegal National squad who were set to take on Brazil at the Emirates Stadium four days later.

With around a minute gone, Rangers could well have taken the lead. With Joe Lumley not expecting it, a Robins defender played the ball back, which resulted in the former R’s keeper just managing to get back in time, and palm it away to safety.

The R’s took the lead after five minutes, following Alex Aoraha’s in-swinging corner. Kealey Adamson was well placed to knock the ball into the corner of the net.

Then, Daniel Bennie’s side-footed shot whizzed just past the far post.

For the Robins, Zack Ali’s low-strike forced Charlie Warren into a diving save, but following up was Louie Derrick, who proceeded to smash the ball into the roof of the net.

After good work by Jaylan Pearman, Philip Sanyaolu belted the ball directly at the keeper.

At the other end, Elijah Morrison’s ball in from the left, found Leo Pecover, who then shot just wide of the upright.

The Robins’ next attempt followed soon after, when Charlie Warren made a very good save from Ephraim Yeboah.

The R’s keeper did well again on 35 minutes after Billy Phillips had been fouled 25 yards out. Charlie Warren stopped Zack Ali’s free kick and a Rangers defender was on hand to clear the ball to safety.

Then, following a handball in the ‘D’, Charlie Warren managed to grab the resulting free kick.

Mr Tingey booked Daniel Bennie as he attempted to win the ball from behind an opponent.

Joe Lumley was constantly bellowing-out instructions to his team mates throughout the game.

After Daniel Bennie had won a corner, grounded away from the penalty area was Jaylan Pearman, and in need of some attention. He was eventually taken off but was soon able to continue.

Olly Thomas gave the visitors the lead from a swift breakaway, following a QPR corner.

And they almost added a third in added time. Olly Thomas’ low strike was saved by the keeper, and a team mate was on hand to clear the ball to safety. Half-time: 1-2.

The Rangers captain, Alex Aoraha, was sent off just seven minutes into the second-half.

As the visitors looked to increase their lead further, Louie Derrick’s free kick found Billy Phillips, whose attempt then went behind for a corner.

Paul Furlong made two changes on the hour-mark, when Kaleb Dyke and Jake Coomes were introduced at the expense of Daniel Bennie and Isak Alemayehu respectively.

City thought that they had increased their lead when Ephraim Yeboah headed the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for offside.

Although depleted, it was the R’s who were now looking the more dangerous of the two sides.

Jake Coomes’ cross was met by Ridwan Hassan, and his first-time, side-footed shot, flew over the crossbar.

After nicely bringing the ball down, Jaiden Putman passed to Philip Sanyaolu, and his fierce strike was blocked by a defender.

Then, after 73 minutes, Jaylan Pearman’s powerful attempt drifted just wide of the target.

The final change was made two minutes later, when Archie O’Brien replaced Ridwan Hassan.

Charlie Warren made an excellent save from Zack Ali at the near post.

For the home side, Jaiden Putman got the ball to Jake Coomes, and getting to the bye-line, the Rangers winger’s attempt came off the outside of the post.

On 84 minutes, Jake Coomes’ next attempt looked as if it had kissed the side of the upright, before continuing behind for a goal-kick.

Rangers got their deserved equaliser when Philip Sanyaolu headed in Kaleb Dyke’s free kick, two minutes or so into added time.

And the R’s almost dramatically nabbed the winner at the death, when Joe Lumley made an outstanding save to deny Jaylan Pearman’s attempt from a corner.

Three days later, Rangers took on Millwall at their training ground.

Steve Russell