FA Youth Cup 4th Round
QPR Team: Loades, Putman, Adjetey-Brew, Keita-Turay, Street, Neill, Coomes, Tarbotton, Hassan, Neziri, Sutton
Subs: Jones, Friel, Cuthbert, Wiles, Kennedy, Ashamu, Sanyaolu
Arsenal Team: Porter, Julienne, Sweet, Onyekachukwu, Clarke, Ibrahim, Dowman, Copley, Harriman-Annous, Casey, O’Neill
Subs: Salmon, Ranson, Chapman, Murisa, Marciniak, Zecevic-John, Oyetunde
After knocking out Swindon Town, the R’s then took on Arsenal at Meadow Park, the home of Boreham Wood.
On a cold Saturday night, it was the away side who created the first goalscoring opportunity after six minutes, when Emmerson Sutton forced Jack Porter down to make a save.
A tame shot at the other end was followed by Emmerson Sutton looping the ball over the keeper, but then watched it being cleared by an overhead kick.
Good defensive play by Teddy Tarbotton after 12 minutes nullified the Arsenal threat.
But seconds later it was the home side who took the lead against the run of play when Andre Harriman-Annous tucked the ball under Callum Loades.
Mr Bloxham booked Dan Cassey after fouling Enis Neziri and this was followed by Kemoko Keita-Turay also being shown a yellow card.
And after 24 minutes, Teddy Tarbotton let fly from range, which forced Jack Porter into a flying finger-tip save to keep it out.
Rangers got a deserved equaliser around the half-hour mark when Emmerson Sutton volleyed in Ridwan Hassan’s cross.
The R’s almost took the lead a couple of minutes later. Following a good run down the wing, Emmerson Sutton’s effort flashed just wide of the upright.
And then, Ridwan Hassan’s volley closely evaded the target.
Corey Adjetey-Brew was the next player to be cautioned, seemingly for something he said to the referee?
After Ceadach O’Neill had rattled the crossbar, the follow-up was blasted over. Two minutes were added and at half-time it was a goal each.
Rangers got their noses in front after 55 minutes following a quick breakaway by Jake Coomes. The R’s winger then knocked the ball in to Sutton, who, after rounding the keeper, belted the ball into the roof of the net.
Teddy Tarbotton was booked for a heavy challenge on William Sweet, and after getting involved, Mr Bloxham also cautioned Brayden Clarke.
Later, after the referee had gone over to consult the lino, Mr Bloxham showed Jake Coomes a yellow card!
With around 20 minutes remaining, and once again against the run of play, the Gunners equalised. Following a defensive error, 15-year-old Max Dowman seized upon the ball, before cutting-inside and finding the corner of the net.
Following a mistake at the back, substitute Louis Zecevic-John, almost put the hosts in front, but his angled shot narrowly evaded the post.
As Callum Loades went up to push away the ball, Louie Copley ended up on the ground and in need of some attention. Eventually he was helped off and Teshaun Murisa replaced him.
Then, a few minutes later, Philip Sanyaolu was brought on to replace Jake Coomes.
As the game approached the 90-minute mark, Rico Kennedy was introduced at the expense of Fraser Neill, who appeared to be in some discomfort.
And during the nine added minutes, Gabriel Cuthbert came on for Kemoko Keita-Turay.
Mr Bloxham blew his whistle and the game would then move into extra time.
Jaiden Putman was the next player to be cautioned, and eight minutes after the restart, Arsenal took the lead, when Louis Zecevic-John tapped in Dan Casey’s cross.
And during the ensuing celebrations, Mr Bloxham booked Andre Harriman-Annous.
This was followed by Ceadach O’Neill also going the same way following his reckless challenge on Charlie Street.
Tom Charles’ next change came on 104 minutes, which saw Thomas Wiles replacing Teddy Tarbotton. The first period of extra time was brought to a halt after one added minute.
Into the second period, and Robin Ashamu replaced Cory Adjetey-Brew.
An Arsenal effort hit the crossbar and with four minutes remaining, Emmerson Sutton scored a dramatic equaliser when he bundled the ball over the line.
Ridwan Hassan was shown a yellow card after the R’s striker had knocked over Samuel Onyekachukwu.
After the completion of the three added minutes, the tie would be decided on a penalty shoot-out. I noted that it was now 7.45pm, the game had kicked off at 5pm!
1.Dan Casey fired the first spot-kick wide of the upright.
2. For the R’s, Jaiden Putman’s shot was saved.
3. Max Dowman made no mistake with the next one.
4. Jack Porter then saved from Ridwan Hassan
5. Alex Marciniak put the hosts further ahead.
6. Robin Ashamu then narrowed the deficit.
7. It then became 1-3 courtesy of Louis Zecevic-John.
8.Charlie Street brought it back to 2-3.
9. But substitute Daniel Oyetunde then sealed the tie for Arsenal.
I came away obviously disappointed, but at the same time proud of the team’s performance as Rangers had been the better side on the night.
A good turn-out of R’s fans and also looking on was Nigel Quashie.
Arsenal were drawn away to Fulham in the fifth round.
Steve Russell