QPR U21 (1) – Ipswich Town U21 (1)

U21 Professional Development League 2

Team: Lumley, Diakite, Lobjoit (Kakay), Arthur, Hamalainen, Furlong, Komodikis, Chery (Mitchell), Manning (Prohouly), Rosenthal, Polter

Subs Not Used: Herdman, Bowler

As we examined the team sheet the main surprise was the inclusion of Tjaronn Chery. Mick Harford was spotted over to our left.

Darnell Furlong was looking lean and sharp following his loan spell at Northampton. In the early stages he set up Ryan Manning who spun round to face goal but he didn’t get enough on his shot and the ball skewed wide. The visitors then had a very good effort, which ended up just adrift of the target.

Following an over-the-top through ball, Sebastian Polter delayed his shot, which was then deflected out for a corner. Another effort saw him flick the ball straight at Jonny Henly from close range. Whilst at the other end only a superb late sliding challenge by Leon Lobjoit denied the Ipswich player from scoring.

Joe Lumley really impresses me. Apart from being a safe pair of hands, he commands his area (and beyond), and continually shouts out instructions to his team mates throughout the game.

The temperature began to drop noticeably as the lunchtime sunshine withdrew. Half-time: 0-0.

Rangers continued to play some neat football and on the hour mark, a double substitution saw Tjaronn Chery and Leon Lobjoit replaced by Aaron Mitchell and Osman Kakay respectively.

Following a wonderful passing movement, the ball was put over from the right to an unmarked Ryan Manning but unfortunately his effort was tame.

Manning made way for Axel Prohouly after 73 minutes. Two minutes later Ipswich took the lead when a superb piercing ball found James Alabi who continued his run through the middle to slot home.

With around 8 minutes remaining, Andreas Komodikis was clearly shoved after some good ball control down the bye-line. As Mr Simpson pointed to the spot, Sebastian Polter immediately raised his hand to his captain and Niko Hamalainen duly obliged. Polter then placed his shot low to the keeper’s right.

Polter received a great ball in space and as he homed in on goal, instead of lobbing the keeper, he hesitated and his effort was aimed straight at Henly.

QPR hit the crossbar and a minute from the end the visitors shot just wide of the far post. Rangers did have the ball in the net from a header but it was ruled offside.

Steve Russell