U21 Professional Development Squad League 2
Team: Salamon, Rendall, Leahy, Tuck, Evans (t), Hawkins, Adomah, Talla, Jeche, Pedder, Anthony
Subs: Cant, Sackey, Ajose, Murphy, Yahyaoui
On a Thursday afternoon in atrocious weather conditions at the TSG Training Centre, the team sheet revealed a trialist at No.5, Reggie Evans.
In the game and Lorent Talla’s corner ended up being knocked just wide of the far post.
At the other end, Matteo Salamon was forced to slide out of his area, and he did well to clear the ball with his knees.
On 10 minutes, R’s captain Henry Hawkins was booked following a mis-placed challenge.
After Albert Adomah had chested the ball down, the strike at goal was saved by the keeper.
The R’s winger then played a one-two with himself after the gusty wind had brought the ball back down to him!
It was the U’s who went ahead five minutes before the break with their only shot at goal! After the R’s had given the ball away, Kaleel Green smashed it into the roof of the net. Half-time: 0-1.
After 4 minutes, Rafferty Pedder’s strike was kept out by Ted Collins’ chest.
Mr Norton booked a Colchester player after he had knocked over Micah Anthony whilst in full flight.
A ball in from the right found Rafferty Pedder and his effort was then deflected wide for a corner.
Paul Furlong brought on Harry Murphy around the hour-mark at the expense of Lorent Talla.
And it was the R’s substitute who provided the equaliser just a couple of minutes later, when he drilled the ball into the net following Nathan Jeche’s knock-on.
On 68 minutes, Harry Murphy continued to make an impact, and his left-foot strike was well-stopped by Ted Collins. And shortly after, Samuel Sackey replaced Alfie Tuck.
Frankie Edwards was the next U’s player to be shown a yellow card after he had taken out Micah Anthony.
Reggie Evans made a superb challenge in the box before laying it off to a team-mate.
Excellent work by Micah Anthony was followed by the R’s No.11 setting up Rafferty Pedder, who went on to shoot low at goal and the ball took a slight deflection before going behind for a corner.
Despite Rangers’ domination, Matteo Salamon was called upon to make a superb diving save after the wind had curled the ball away from him.
Archie Oliver was booked for kicking the ball away as the R’s keeper attempted to take a goal-kick!
Close to the final whistle, Joseph Ajose came on for Trent Rendall.
As we made our way back to the car park, we came across Alex Aoraha, who told us that he was recovering from a broken leg!
Steve Russell