U21 Professional Development League 2 South
Team: Halwax, Jude-Boyd, Pitblado, Rendall, Hawkins, Aoraha, Ajose, Murphy, Lloyd, Pedder, Bala
Subs: Salamon, Harrack, Rossi, Hamid, Anthony
In bright sunshine it was the away side that provided the first goalscoring opportunity of the afternoon at the Loftus Road Stadium. Shamar Lawson got himself into a good position before letting fly and the ball flashed just wide of the upright.
Rangers had the ball in the net after 20 minutes following a corner. Rafferty Pedder’s effort had rebounded off a post and Joseph Ajose’s follow-up was ruled offside.
The R’s fashioned a good opportunity to take the lead after the ball had been played into Arkell Jude-Boyd in the box. Jordan Gillmore stopped his shot with his feet at the near-post and the ball went behind for a corner.
Mr Wager booked Trent Rendall after the R’s captain had got into a bit of a tangle with an opponent.
Attempting to clear a corner, Arkell Jude-Boyd ended up receiving treatment and leaving the pitch to change his shirt.
Upon receipt of a good ball, Alfie Lloyd laid it off to Rafferty Pedder but the QPR No. 10’s shot landed somewhere in the Upper School End.
Three minutes into stoppage time, the Millwall keeper, diving low, made an excellent save, but Steven Bala was on hand to put the ball in the net. Half-time: 1-0.
After Rafferty Pedder had committed a foul, the ball was floated into the box and Penney headed over the crossbar.
I have to say that the Rangers corners were generally poor! They were either hit too long or they didn’t even evade the first defender!
Millwall equalised after 55 minutes when Shamar Lawson’s pin-point cross was headed in by Tom Leahy from close-range.
Then, a couple of minutes later, a succession of blocks in the penalty area denied the visitors, which led to Harry Halwaxrising to stop the ball and the follow-up being fired wide.
This was a good spell for the Lions and they took the lead just after the hour mark when Rafferty Pedder brought down George Walker as he cut into the box. Abdulmalik made no mistake firing the ball low beyond the R’s keeper.
On 67 minutes, Paul Hall brought on Kayden Harrack to replace Arkell Jude-Boyd and seven minutes later Micah Anthony was introduced at the expense of Joseph Ajose.
Trent Rendall made a good defensive header and he was also responsible for a number of successful blocks.
The visitors successfully saw the game out and deserved the three points.
Steve Russell