QPR Development Squad (2) – Millwall U21 (0) 

U21 Professional Development League 2 

Team: Salamon, Pullella, Leahy, Wilkie, Friel, Neill, Pearman, Alemayehu, Hassan, Neziri. Coomes 

Subs: Warren, Adjetey-Brew, Brunson, O’Brien, Dillon 

On a bright, mildish afternoon at Loftus Road, the first shot on target was provided by Enis Neziri, when he drove the ball at the keeper. 

At the other end, as Matteo Salamon challenged to grab the ball, Alex Wilkie did well to collect it as it spun, before laying it off to safety. 

In the 13th minute, Ridwan Hassan blasted the ball just over the crossbar from the edge of the box.  

For the Lions eight minutes later, a header from Oliver Whitby’s free kick was successfully grabbed by Matteo Salamon.  

Then, after evading a couple of challenges, Daniel Emuze picked-out Zak Lovelace, whose shot from the edge of the box was saved by the keeper. 

The visitors went close to opening the scoring when staying just onside, Caleb Redhead got one-on-one with the keeper and his attempt came off Matteo Salamon’s leg before going behind for a corner. 

Mr Harvey booked Alfie Massey following a heavy challenge on Isak Alemayehu, which left him grounded and in need of some attention.  

Minutes later the young Swede let fly, forcing Justin Ndikum down and palm the ball behind for a corner. 

Enis Neziri went on a nice run, before setting up Jake Coomes, who shot was held by the keeper. 

With Jake Coomes off the pitch injured, the referee allowed the physio to treat him as play continued.  

Mr Harvey blew the half-time whistle after two added minutes. 

Jake Coomes wasn’t able to continue for the second-half, so Anthony Hayes brought on Cian Dillon to replace him. 

Within seconds of the re-start, Enis Neziri burst down the left-flank, but instead of squaring the ball, he went on to shoot at goal. 

In the 57th minute, a good ball from the right across the six-yard box, somehow evaded both Ridwan Hassan and Cian Dillon. 

Rangers got the goal they deserved a couple of minutes later. Cian Dillon’s pass was held up by Ridwan Hassan, which led to Isak Alemayehu smashing the ball into the bottom corner. 

This was followed by Kalen Brunson and Archie O’Brien being introduced at the expense of Enis Neziri and Ridwan Hassan respectively.  

On the hour-mark, Cian Dillon, in space, shot over the crossbar from just inside the box.  

As Millwall looked for an equaliser, Jake Leahy provided some superb defending after the ball was played into the six-yard box. He won the ball after getting down and proceeded to clear it to safety. 

Play was halted on 71 minutes after Isak Alemayehu was receiving some treatment, and the players then assembled by the dugouts. 

A few minutes later, Elias Mansor’s curled strike was pushed away by the keeper. 

Isak Alemayehu then made way for Cory Adjetey-Brew, who took up a position on the left flank. 

Kalen Brunson went on a superb run through the middle and when he approached the edge of the box, Oliver Whitby knocked him over. 

Rocco Friel then stepped up, and his free kick came off the upright. 

In the 82nd minute, and with two players down, Cian Dillon’s strike was kept out by the keeper’s legs. 

Six minutes later, Cory Adjetey-Brew was shown a yellow card. 

The Lions had the ball in the net following a free kick, but it was ruled out for offside. 

Rangers got their second goal a couple of minutes into added time, when Kalen Brunson picked his spot from close range after being set-up by Cory Adjetey-Brew. 

The full-time whistle was blown after five-and-a-half added minutes. 

The following week, the Development Squad went on to play two games the same day! 

Firstly, it was Sheffield United in a league game at 1.30pm at the TSG Training Centre, which was followed in the evening by a London Senior Cup tie against AFC Wimbledon at Hanwell.  
Steve Russell