U23 Professional Development League
Team: Dieng, Barzey (Springer-Downes), Williams (Rowe), Wallen, Arthur, Paul, Crichlow, Morrison, Grego-Cox (Clarke), Eze, Petrasso
Sub Not Used: Herdman
The visitors were awarded a penalty after something like ten seconds whilst I was still preparing my notes!
I was informed that Mr Buonassisi had pointed to the spot seemingly because one of our defenders had run across a Charlton player (who didn’t go down) in the box! The Addicks captain, Mikhail Kennedy, made no mistake giving Charlton the lead.
Rangers responded soon after and could well have equalised from two successive attempts on target. Firstly, Dimitar Mitov saved a powerful shot fired at him and then the second effort was cleared from danger by a defender.
Reece Grego-Cox had grabbed a hat-trick the week before at Coventry and he was on the score-sheet again after 5 minutes. Latching on to a through ball and facing the keeper, he placed his shot into the back of the net despite the Addicks custodian getting a hand to it.
Ravel Morrison then provided the champagne moment of the match when he belted a wonderful 50-yard cross-field pass on the half-volley out to Gianni Crichlow!
The R’s took the lead after 18 minutes when Michael Petrasso squared the ball into the six-yard box from the bye-line to a lurking Reece Grego-Cox.
The visitors had a close header, which just evaded the crossbar, whilst for the R’s Gianni Crichlow took the ball in from the left, but fired his shot directly at the Charlton keeper.
Rangers were awarded a free kick six minutes or so before the break, which resulted in the ball falling to Ravel Morrison, and with defenders around him, he swivelled round and blasted the ball against the crossbar.
The Addicks equalised from a free kick a few minutes before half-time. It somehow evaded everyone apart from Kennedy who managed to glance the ball into the back of the net! Half-time: 2-2.
The visitors created a very good opportunity after the break following a corner, when the unmarked Charlton player had his shot blocked. Later, a free kick narrowly evaded the post.
At the other end, Reece Grego-Cox burst through and fired his shot just past the frame of the goal.
After 58 minutes Paul Hall brought on Rhys Springer-Downes in place of Brandon Barzey.
Jack Williams appeared to get a smack in the face and was down for quite some time. Eventually Daniel Rowe came on to replace him.
Nine minutes later, Ruudi Clarke was introduced at the expense of Reece Grego-Cox.
Charlton had been the better side after the break and a draw was a fair result.
The Harlington Crew included; Keith Davies, Jeff Ledwidge, Roger Stokes, ChrisPTenner and Sammy.
Also looking on were the likes of; Les Ferdinand, Lee Cook, Martin Rowlands, two officials from the FA1 and also I was told, Frank Sibley.
Steve Russell