U23 Professional Development League
Team: Brzozowski, Barzey, Hamalainen, Comley, Arthur, Kpekawa, Darbyshire, Akinola, Adams, Eze, Manning
Subs: Williams, Klass, Prohouly
Brandon Adam was made captain and he lined up at centre-forward, whilst Danny Darbyshire moved over to the right-wing.
Eberechi Eze made a fine interception outside the box, but his follow up effort lacked power and didn’t trouble the Ipswich keeper.
Cole Kpekawa slipped in midfield, which the Ipswich player took full advantage of as he collected the ball and headed towards the Rangers goal unheeded. Facing Marcin Brzozowski one-on-one, he proceeded to shoot wide.
Whilst at the other end, Brandon Adams’s superb looping header was finger-tipped over the bar by the Ipswich custodian.
The R’s took the lead after around 20 minutes following a lovely ball from Adams, which then set up Danny Darbyshire inside the box. Michael Crowe managed to get a hand to his shot but he couldn’t keep it out.
Rangers doubled their lead three minutes later following Brandon Comley’s run and his shot came back off the post. Brandon Adams was on hand to follow up from close range.
On a hot afternoon at Loftus Road, the players all trooped off for a drinks break with the ball placed for a Rangers corner.
Brzozowski went down to his right to make a save and he then did very well to hold on to the ball.
QPR were creating numerous chances and another looping header was tipped over the bar. Then just after, Eze belted the ball low, forcing Michael Crowe down to his right to make an excellent save.
As the half was drawing to a close, Romeo Akinola was booked following a tug on an opponents’ shirt.
Half-time: 2-0. Rangers dominated the half and should really have been further ahead.
For the start of the second-half, Paul Hall brought on Michael Klass as a replacement for Romeo Akinola.
The Tractor Boys pulled a goal back after 73 minutes when Brzozowski came out of his area in an attempt to head the ball clear, but it bounced over his head and Ben Morris ran on to slot the ball into an empty net.
Substitute Axel Prohouly had earlier replaced Ryan Manning after 62 minutes. Later, he raced from his own half towards the edge of the Ipswich penalty area and his low shot was turned round the post.
The R’s final change was made after 77 minutes when Jack Williams was introduced at the expense of Jeremy Arthur.
Minutes later the visitors squandered a very good opportunity to equalise against the odds, following a defensive mix-up between Cole Kpekawa and the Rangers custodian. Morris rolled the ball close to the goal-line and it was a real let-off for the home side.
The R’s scored a third goal after 84 minutes following a superb run from Brandon Barzey. He was tripped around the penalty area (mixed opinions as to whether it was in or out?). Anyway, the referee awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. Cole Kpekawa stepped up and absolutely smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
There was a final goal in added time when the Ipswich keeper tried to side-step Eberechi Eze on the bye-line and all our No.10 had to do was to tap the ball into an empty net.
A fine, entertaining match finished 4-1.
Steve Russell