U21 Professional Development League 2
Team: Lumley, Kakay (Williams), Lobjoit, Wise (Rosenthal), Arthur, Comley, Prohouly (Komodikis), Mitchell, N’Guessan, Manning, Petrasso.
Sub Not Used: Herdman
International football had reduced the Loftus Road attendance considerably and also the sudden drop in the temperature may have been a factor.Surveying the South Africa Road Stand, Tony Mowbray was spotted to our left.
The teams and match officials lined up before kick-off as we all observed a minute’s silence in memory of our former goalkeeper TommassoTrani, who had tragically passed away recently.
It was the Bluebirds who went close on two occasions in the opening minutes. Firstly, a good ball into the box dissected two R’s defenders but the resulting shot easily cleared the bar, which was soon followed by a dangerous ball across the six-yard box.
However QPR took the lead after 16 minutes after a foul on the impressive Michael Petrasso. Aaron Mitchell took a superb textbook free kick from the right-winginto the box,which found Jeremy Arthur and his bullet header gave Simon Moore no chance. Alan Barnes pointed out that this was also Arthur’s debut for the U21’s.
The R’s captain, Aaron Mitchell, was very busyand with the absence ofany over-age squad players, you got the impression that the young R’s were able to connect better as a team?
Shots from Mitchell and Ryan Manning had missed the target but a further powerful effort on the half-volley from the Rangers captain was well grasped by the Cardiff keeper.
Two minutes before half-time, Harly Wise went off looking rather dazed and was replaced bymidfielder Tom Rosenthal who then had to fill-in as a centre-back.
Half-time: 1-0.
Just minutes into the second-half, and it was Joseph N’Guessan who shot wide. Aaron Mitchell had another attempt that was off-target and Jamie Bird’s close range header should have resulted in the Bluebirds equaliser.
After 67 minutes, Andreas Komodikiswas introduced at the expense of Axel Prohoulyand two minutes later, Osman Kakay was on-hand to clear the ball off the line following a corner.
Jack Williams was the final change when he replaced Osman Kakay on 74 minutes. As the visitors went on the attack and looking yards offside, Joe Lumley had to make a superb one-handed save. A minute later, the R’s custodian made another smart save at the near-post.
During the three minute added time period, Andreas Komodikis forced his way through into a good position and thumped the ball just inches over the bar.
Steve Russell