U21 Professional Development League 2 South
Team: Walsh, Jude-Boyd, Drewe, Rossi, Woodman, Aoraha, Bala, Murphy, Kargbo, Pedder, Angelov
Sub Not Used: Salamon
It was the Robins who had the ball in the net early on, but SebPalmer-Houlden’s lob was ruled offside.
Taking control of a loose ball and with Harvey Wiles-Richards off his line, Steven Bala tried his luck from at least 25 yards, but his audacious attempt cleared the crossbar.
Arkell Jude-Boyd floated the ball into the box, where HamzadKargbo directed his header into the keeper’s gloves.
Rafferty Pedder burst into the box and as he weaved his way through, his shot ended up just over the bar.
At the other end, after City were awarded a free kick, Joe Walsh palmed the ball away and the follow-up ended-up going wide.
After giving away a silly foul, the ball was crossed into the box, which left Hamzad Kargbo down and requiring some treatment following a big goalmouth scramble.
A dangerous ball sent in low from the right found Olly Thomas at the near-post, who then forced a superb save from Joe Walsh.
Close to the break, a heavy challenge on Deon Woodman, resulted in the R’s centre-back going off, but was not initially replaced. Half-time: 0-0.
Deon Woodman didn’t appear for the second-half and on came Elijah Anthony.
It all got a bit scrappy at times and both sides were guilty of committing needless fouls, which saw Mr Ablitt booking Hamzad Kargbo.
A good run by Peter Angelov resulted in the R’s No.11 squaring the ball into the box. With Hamzad Kargbo lurking in space, the ball was intercepted at the far corne
Two changes were made on 65 minutes which saw Adam Dougui and Harun Hamid coming on for Steven Bala and Harry Murphy respectively.
The Robins took the lead on 67 minutes. Jamie Knight-Lebel set-up Olly Thomas and the No.11’s angled shot found the far-corner.
Joseph Ajose was introduced at the expense of Peter Angelov. The R’s sub soon went close with an effort following a corner.
Joe Walsh made a superb finger-tip save from Seb Palmer-Houlden’s low drive. The resulting corner came to nothing.
Into the closing stages, and Ivo Rossi’s effort from Rafferty Pedder’s corner was cleared off the line by Harry Leeson.
Then, a cross into the box found Hamzad Kargbo, who, after he had chested the ball down, fired his shot over the crossbar.
Amongst those looking on at the Powerday Stadium were Neil Critchley and Ruben Gnanalingam.
Steve Russell