QPR U18 (3) – Leyton Orient U18 (2)

Team: Bulmer, Coyne, ilesanmi, O’Brien, Ford, Brown, Morgan-Cummings, Maguire, German, Fernandez, Arthur.
Subs: Smith, Lawrence, Harris, Wright.

In goal today was Niki Bulmer who was on Manchester United’s books and we think that he has signed for two years. At left back was Femi ilesanmi, the trialist from AFC Wimbledon who turned out for the Watford Reserve game last week. Amazingly, Danny Davenport was walking about after spending some time in the Gym following his recent foot operation. The U16’s were on the adjacent pitch and Gerry Francis was there to watch his son play against Peterborough. Also in attendance were: Alan Barnes, Rob Bennett, Pat and Tom Harrison, James Luck and Roger Stokes. Steve Brown wasn’t there so Keith Ryan took over.

The game kicked off 4 minutes late and the R’s desperately needed a win. Aaron Morgan-Cummings could have had a hat trick within the first 20 minutes or so. The first effort went wide after getting the ball on his wrong foot. Minutes later, after hesitating, the ball somehow went out for a corner. Soon after that the visitors had their first real chance of the game with the ball going wide of the post. Aaron had the chance to make amends when on a one-on-one with the keeper grounded, the effort was wasted unfortunately. Bulmer touched a free kick on to the bar and over but the referee gave a goal kick. Just after the half hour mark, Leyton Orient should of taken the lead but incredibly their striker missed from a yard out following a low cross. 2 minutes later, the visitorshad another good chance when a lob went just over after Niki Bulmer had made it difficult for the striker and it remained goal less at half time.

Rangers took the lead through Antonio German early in the 2nd half following a great ball from Danny Maguire. His shot took a bobble before it sneaked into the corner of the net. Orient equalised though within a minute courtesy of an own goal. However, QPR took the lead again after 11 minutes with an excellent goal from Danny Maguire when he fired low to the keeper’s left after good work by Billy Coyne and Matt O’Brien. As Pat and Tom Harrison walked up from the Pavilion, Danny Maguire was replaced by Terry Smith. The visitors almost equalised when Bulmer left a shot he thought was going wide and desperately had to make a late recovery by knocking the ball round the post for a corner. Drama then followed when Lee Brown handled the ball on to the post to concede the penalty and was shown a red card. The ball was belted in down the middle but the referee ordered it to be re-taken presumably for encroachment. The second attempt was struck more or less in the same place and the score was now 2-2.

Ed Harris came on for Femi ilesanmi and Rangers worked even harder closing the opposition down, blocking and winning the ball back. Great perseverance by Billy Coyne resulted in a handball and a penalty. Billy then coolly put the ball in the net. The visitors stepped up the pressure and Rangers kicked one off the line in the last few minutes but hung on to secure the points. Surprisingly, the referee didn’t add on any time for the numerous stoppages in play.

Off the field, it has to be recorded that towards the end of thefirst half, Rob Bennett enthusiastically sped off to collect the ball with Danny Maguire poised to take a corner, With Sainsbury’s bag knotted to his wrist, he headed for the trees and bushes. Whilst trying to retrieve the ball he went round the tree three times as if it was a Maypole to shouts from the Saturday Morning Mob of: “Put the bleeding bag down Rob” as he fumbled. Meanwhile, Danny was still patiently waiting by the corner flag and even he shouted to Rob to put the bag down !!! Well done to the team and thanks to Roger for the lift to the Bush.

Steve Russell