U21 Professional Development League 2
Team: Lumley, Furlong, Wise, Haran, Comley, Prohouly (Komodikis), Sutherland, Blackwood, Rosenthal (Butler), Mulraney (Kakay), Suk-Young
Sub Not Used: Hudnott
On a clear, dry night at Loftus road, last Friday was ‘Rangers Night’ as was the case for a time during the mid-60’s.
The visitors should have taken the lead when Joe Lumley gave the ball away following a back pass. The lucky recipient lined-up the ball for his team mate who proceeded to shoot straight at the Rangers keeper.
However, the R’s got their noses in front in the 10th minute after a good run down the left-wing and Jake Mulraney’s cross found Tyler Blackwood who’s endeavour forced the ball over the line.
A few minutes later after a move between Furlong and Prohouly, Blackwood almost doubled his tally but the Forest keeper saved the ball with his legs.
Joe Lumley sprung full-length with the ball going just wide which was followed by a close Forest effort just missing the far post. The visitors also had another very good chance to equalise when a header across the six-yard box from a corner, found a lurking Oliver Burke just yards out and he somehow headed over the crossbar.
It was no surprise when the Reds did equalise in the 41st minute. Joe Lumley advanced to the edge of the box as Oliver Burke thumped the ball superbly into the net with the outside of his foot.
Whilst at the other end, James Haran went close for the R’s but somehow it remained 1-1 at half-time.
The R’s had a couple of good chances after the break and took the lead in the 66th minute. Jake Mulraney was fouled just inside the edge of the left-hand box and then insisted that he would take the spot-kick. His well-taken penalty easily evaded Dimitar Evtimov and Rangers were 2-1 up.
After a defensive mix-up, Joe Lumley made a superb one-handed save from close range. He did very well again when he just managed to stretch far enough to keep the ball out from I think, Oliver Burke, as he was going down.
The champagne moment came in the 84th minute when an outstanding long pass out to the right-flank by Harly Wise found Tyler Blackwood, who in turn lined up Andreas Komodikis to rifle the ball into the bottom corner. Absolutely wonderful!
Andreas Komodikis had replaced Axel Prohouly just over the hour mark and later changes saw George Butler come on for Tom Rosenthal and Osman Kakay was introduced at the expense of Jake Mulraney.
Well done to Joe Lumley who stopped and grasped nearly everything thrown at him and one other thing to mention is that Frankie Sutherland looked much more comfortable and productive in central midfield.
Steve Russell
One of the better reserve games you’ll see this season. Very impressed with the centre-back pairing of Wise and Haran. Two ball-playing centre-halves who don’t believe in just welling it anywhere and as mentioned the 50-yard pass by Wise to set up the third goal was superb.
Had it been executed by someone in the Premier League we’d be seeing it everyday on TV for a week.
I liked the look of Jake Mulraney who is a very tricky left-winger who did some amazing dribbles (set up the first goal), one of which led to him being fouled for the penalty, which he scored. If he can cut out the diving he will go a long way.
Darnell Furlong gets better every game at this level and hopefully he’ll be in the first team as we need a decent right-back.
ChrisPTenner.