U21 Professional Development League 2
Team: Halliday, Putman, trialist, Manufor, McDowell, Tuck, Bennie, Talla, Vaughan, trialist, Petrie
Subs: Clark, Leahy, Sutton, Murphy, Dillon
In a blustery, rain-swept afternoon at the TSG Training Centre, it was one of the QPR trialists who forced a flying save from Dandre Abraham.
Then, after 15 minutes, a good move down the right-flank, concluded with Kieran Petrie’s strike hitting the crossbar.
Rangers took a deserved lead on 21 minutes. Lorent Talla passed to Daniel Bennie who then set-up trialist B to finish.
Daniel Bennie, complete with a head-band and socks rolled down, crossed into the box, but somehow the ball evaded two team mates!
The visitors had little to offer and Alfie Tuck’s low shot was held by the keeper at the second attempt.
It was no surprise when the R’s doubled their lead on 32 minutes, courtesy of trialist B, who finished at the far-post.
The U’s had their first attempt on goal in the closing stages with a low shot that bobbled fairly harmlessly towards Joel Halliday.
On 38 minutes, Lorent Talla’s free kick came off the keeper’s chest before going behind for a corner.
Judah Tawiah collided with the referee and knocking Ms Heaslip over.
Rangers increased their lead on the stroke of half-time, when Lorent Talla belted the ball into the bottom corner after it had come off the keeper, making it 3-0 at the break.
Minutes into the second-half, Daniel Bennie nodded in Alfie Tuck’s cross.
Paul Furlong’s first change came on 52 minutes when Harry Murphy replaced Lorent Talla.
And the R’s substitute made it five just before the hour mark.
Sam Manufor made way for Jake Leahy after 63 minutes.
Rangers went 6-0 up on 66 minutes when Rohan Vaughan’s shot evaded Dondre Abraham at the near-post.
The final two changes were made on 75 minutes, when Emmerson Sutton and Cian Dillon were introduced at the expense of Daniel Bennie and Rohan Vaughan respectively.
Cian Dillon had a couple of attempts at goal. One was blocked and another flashed just wide of the post.
Harry Murphy scored the goal of the match after 81 minutes following a free kick, when he took hold of the ball just outside the box before curling it into the top right-hand corner.
It finished 7-0 and could well have been more, with three goals being ruled out for offside.
Paul Furlong’s side then travelled to the Lancashire FA County ground to take on Blackburn Rovers for the final group-stage game.
Steve Russell