U21 Professional Development League 2 South
Team: Walsh, De Silva, Pitblado, Rendall, Masterson, Aoraha, Thomas, Murphy, Bonne, Pedder, Shodipo
Subs: Halwax, Harrack, Flaherty, Castillo, Lloyd
It was the Addicks who opened the scoring at the Valley. After just five minutes, Euan Williams set-up Karoy Anderson who then lashed the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the ‘D’.
Following a great move, Rafferty Pedder threaded the ball perfectly into Macauley Bonne’s path, which ended up goingfor a throw-in.
On 19 minutes, Charlton’s No.5, Nazir Bakrin, appeared to land very awkwardly and after receiving some lengthy treatment, he had to be led off.
Macauley Bonne, with three opponents in close proximity in the box, still managed to shoot at goal and the ball flashed just wide of the far post.
Rangers got their equaliser after some good control from Olamide Shodipo along the bye-line. The ball fell to Pedder who then belted it into the back of the net.
Ahmed Kone made an amazing reaction save when he somehow kept out Bonne’s close-range header.
Shodipo, burst through the middle, and whilst under pressure, the R’s No.11 still managed to get into the box and pull the trigger. His shot forced the Charlton keeper down to make the save.
Rangers were awarded a penalty in the 43rd minute after Zach Mitchell had fouled Olamide Shodipo in the box. The R’s No.11 stepped up to take the spot-kick which he softly flicked up into a stationary keeper’s gloves!
However, QPR took the lead just before the break when Dillon De Silva’s cross from the right-flank was put into the net by Charlton’s Matt Dench. Half-time: 2-1.
Into the second-half and after Shodipo’s lovely pass found Pedder, the No.10’s shot was well-saved, and the ball went behind. Rafferty Pedder’s subsequent corner was headed just wide of the far-post.
Another corner from Pedder found an unmarked Macauley Bonnet in the centre of the box but the R’s striker didn’t get enough power on his effort.
After receiving a penetrating through ball, Shodipo ran into the box, and with a defender shadowing him, he just managed to poke his attempt past the far-post.
George Thomas was set-up inside the area, but he blasted his shot over the crossbar.
Charlton equalised against the run of play in the 53rd minutewhen Zach Mitchell’s cross was nodded in by Euan Williams from close range.
Despite this set-back, the away side continued to create a number of chances. A great ball from Dillon De Silva was headed over by Macauley Bonne.
Following a foul on De Silva, Pedder’s free kick was headed well-wide by Conor Masterson.
George Thomas restored QPR’s lead around the hour mark after good work by Isaac Pitblado. The R’s No.7 finished from close-range following a goalmouth scramble.
With just goalkeeper Henry Molyneux left on the bench, Euan Williams’ departure meant that the Addicks had to see out the rest of the game with ten men.
After Harry Murphy had a shot deflected for a corner, it was the home side who forced an equaliser in the 73rd minute, courtesy of substitute, Ryan Viggars.
Dillon De Silva fired over the crossbar and on 79 minutes, Kayroy Anderson was booked and Paul Hall brought on Alfie Lloyd at the expense of Harry Murphy.
Four minutes later Stan Flaherty replaced Rafferty Pedder.
Charlton came close to taking the lead after the ball had shot up in the air after coming off an R’s player, which resulted in Trent Rendall’s excellent block.
At the other end, De Silva put a great ball into the six-yard box, but Alfie Lloyd couldn’t quite make contact and it ended up passing the upright.
The home side were denied a winner in the closing stages. Three successive attempts were thwarted with a series of blocks and one effort was kicked off the line, until finally, Joe Walsh’s save went behind for a corner.
Just before the final whistle, Olamide Shodipo’s shot was well saved by the Charlton keeper.
Steve Russell