U23 Professional Development League
Team: Brzozowski, Felix, Genovesi, Goss, Omar, Bassong, Oduwa, Bettache, Oteh, Chair, Tilt
Sub Not Used: Bowman
With Steve McClaren looking on, the R’s starting line-up included another run-out for trialist, 22 year-old winger Nathan Oduwa, a third opportunity to impress for Sebastien Bassong and Sean Goss was on the road back from injury.
After six minutes. Oduwa went on a run down the right flank, beat a couple of players, cut in and his low shot forced Adam Legzdins into a save.
Ten minutes later, Sean Goss seized upon a loose ball and although his shot was on target it was comfortably saved.
Rangers lost possession in midfield and Daniel Agyei headed off into the box and his shot was deflected behind for a corner.
Following a cross from the right on the half-hour mark, Rob Harker’s point blank header was amazingly stopped by Marcin Brzozowski’s boot.
At the other end, Chay Tilt bombed down the left-wing but his effort was aimed directly at the Burnley keeper.
The visitors had been coming more into the game and they took the lead after 34 minutes. Ali Koiki got to the bye-line and his cross must have taken a deflection as it looped in at the far post.
The Clarets got a second goal five minutes later following a breakaway. N’Gussan fed Harker who picked his spot with ease.
Oteh surprisingly took a corner, which led to Chair knocking the ball into the six-yard box from the bye-line and Genovesi’s header cleared the crossbar. Half-time: 0-2.
Amrit Bansal-McNulty replaced Sean Goss for the start of the second-half.
After five minutes the visitors were awarded a penalty after the ball struck Bassong’s arm from close range. Agyei stepped up and blasted the ball well over the bar.
Have to say that some of Rangers’ play was very laboured, too much tapping the ball sideways and backwards. And on one occasion a Burnley player easily breezed through three half-hearted tackles!
On 54 minutes Paul Hall introduced Deshane Dalling at the expense of Chay Tilt, which was to soon reap dividends.
Rangers were denied a blatant penalty after Ilias Chair was fouled in the box. As Mr Atkin shook his head, George Gristwood, sitting behind me shouted out: “Well book him for diving then!!!”
Deshane Dalling pulled a goal back on 68 minutes. His superb curling shot at the Loft End looked a goal all the way.
This goal inspired the R’s and an equaliser arrived ten minutes later. Good work by Amrit Bansal-McNulty near to the bye-line allowed him to cross to Oteh, who headed in at the near post from close range.
A long through ball found a Burnley player in space who then belted the ball just wide of the far post.
Rangers took the lead after 82 minute. Following his excellent run down the left-wing, Dalling found Oduwa, who in turn, set up Bansal-McNulty. The 18 year-old made no mistake drilling the ball wide of Adam Legzdins.
At this point Ben Wells came on for Faysal Bettache.
Two Burnley players were booked in fairly quick succession for cynical tugs on R’s players.
A mixed performance, but a good fight back and a welcome first victory of the season.
Steve Russell