QPR Development Squad (4) – AFC Wimbledon X1 (0)

London Senior Cup Quarter-Final

Team: Warren, Friel, Leahy, Wilkie, McCann, Dyke, Sanyaolu, Alemayehu, Hassan, Pearman, Scarlett

Subs: Halliday, Pullella, O’Brien, Neziri, Wright

Following the earlier Development Squad game at the training ground and my stop-off after at the Myllet Arms, I then made my way up Perivale Lane to the ground for the cup tie against AFC Wimbledon.

Sixteen seconds into the match and Philip Sanyaolu made his way towards the near post to win a corner.

After winning another corner two minutes later, Philip Sanyaolu got the ball in the net, but Mr Keane ruled it out.

And a good cross from a third corner a minute after that, involving Rocco Friel and Alex Wilkie, the ball ended up narrowly evading the upright.

In the 11th minute, Ridwan Hassan’s low strike was kept out by the keeper’s legs.

Rangers’ fifth corner two minutes later, resulted in Ridwan Hassan’s header coming off the post.

Then soon after, Philip Sanyaolu got to the bye-line, where his shot was blocked, and following up was Jaylan Pearman, who let fly, and his attempt came off the upright!

The hosts continued to be dominant, and Jaylan Pearman’s half-volley from a good 25 yards or so, flashed just wide of the target.

Forty minutes in, following another corner, Ridwan Hassan couldn’t quite fully connect with the ball, and Charlie Fletcher was able to get down and hold it.

Three minutes later, Philip Sanyaolu set-up Isak Alemayehu in a good position, but his effort flew over the crossbar.

Following 90 seconds of added time, Mr Keane blew the half-time whistle.

Rangers got the goal they deserved ten minutes or so after the interval, when Jaylan Pearman’s angled strike found the far corner.

On 61 minutes, Leon Scarlett’s strike from just inside the box forced a flying save from the keeper.

Two minutes later, Isak Alemayehu made way for Archie O’Brien.

Then, Jake Leahy’s pass to Leon Scarlett led to the young winger’s cross from the bye-line going behind for a corner, which ended up going for a throw-in on the far side.

The R’s doubled their lead after the ball was knocked back to the on-rushing Jaylan Pearman, who proceeded to fire it into the net.

A third goal arrived in the 73rd minute when Archie O’Brien pulled the trigger from a good 25 yards and the ball flew into the top corner.

At this point, Josh Wright came on for Ridwan Hassan.

Four minutes later, Jaylan Pearman completed his hat-trick courtesy of Leon Scarlett’s assist.

The final changes saw Christian Pullella and Enis Neziri being introduced at the expense of Kaleb Dyke and Leon Scarlett,

The visitors first attempt of the evening arrived on 83 minutes, which was directed straight at Charlie Warren.

Rangers almost added another goal in the closing stages when Josh Wright’s header came off the crossbar.

The R’s went on to face Cheshunt in the semi-finals, but prior to that there was the league home match against Colchester United.

Steve Russell