U21 Professional Development League 2
Team: Clark, Manufor, Leahy, trialist, Hawkins, Tuck, Pedder, Sackey, Lloyd, Murphy, Bala
Subs: Loades, Putman & 3 trialists
The first attempt of the evening came when Rafferty Pedder’s cross from the left picked out Steven Bala, but the R’s No.11’s attempt evaded the target.
Junior Dixon took off down the left-wing and, after a blatant foul on Sam Manufor wasn’t given, the ball was played in to Kieran Wakefield, which resulted in a superb block by Jake Leahy.
An enforced change was made after 21 minutes when one of the trialists, (numbered No.16), replaced Rafferty Pedder. He took up a position on the right-flank and Steven Bala moved over to the left.
The visitors took the lead a few minutes later when Junior Dixon tapped in Harley Hamilton’s cross from the left-flank.
And then soon after, Harley Hamilton’s 20-yard strike almost sneaked in, but Conor Clark’s late dive kept it out.
At the other end, Sam Sackey’s low drive was well-blocked by O’Shea Ellis.
Just before the break, Harry Murphy was the next R’s player to go down in need of some attention. He was unable to continue so another trialist was introduced. Half-time: 0-1.
No Alfie Lloyd for the start of the second-half, and a third trialist was brought on in his place. This change meant Steven Bala going upfront and Sam Sackey moving over to the left-wing.
Josh Home’s volley from just inside the box hit the upright and then Conor Clark made a good save from Junior Dixon’s long-range strike.
The R’s keeper made an even better stop minutes later when he kept out a Cameron Eubank effort.
There had been little threat from the home side, but Blues keeper Bradley Mayo did make a superb save from an R’s substitute trialist when he tipped the ball behind.
City secured the match five minutes later after O’Shea Ellis had set up Junior Dixon from the bye-line.
Earlier Jaiden Putman had come on for Sam Manufor.
Paul Furlong’s side then travelled to the SMH Group Stadium, the home of Chesterfield FC, to take on Sheffield United.
Steve Russell