U21 Professional Development League 2
Team: Shepperd, Putman, Adjetey-Brew, Cuthbert, Wilkie, Wiles, trialist, Neill, Sanyaolu, O’Brien, Coomes
Subs: Loades, Friel, Radojevic, Neziri, Vaughan
On a very warm afternoon at Loftus Road, it was the hosts who had the first attempt at goal when Fraser Neill got the ball to Jakes Coomes, but the R’s No. 11 shot wide of the target.
Watford’s first corner arrived on 7 minutes, which Nathan Shepperd eventually punched away. The Hornets were just edging it during the early stages.
After Luigi Gaspar had fouled Archie O’Brien, the free kick from 30-yards out came to nothing.
On 19 minutes, Jake Coomes was set up just inside the box by Archie O’Brien and his strike at goal flew over the crossbar.
Shortly after, Albert Eames fired his attempt well over the bar.
Then, Mr Mitchell booked the Rangers trialist.
A long ball to the trialist resulted in the Watford keeper bringing him down outside the box and, after receiving some attention, the free kick came to nothing.
Whilst at the other end, Gabrial Cuthbert made a superb block in the penalty area.
Following a collision in the box, Cory Adjetey-Brew wasn’t able to continue, so Rocco Friel came on to replace him after 42 minutes. Half-time: 0-0.
Paul Furlong introduced Rohan Vaughan for the start of the second-half.
Good defending by Gabriel Cuthbert when the R’s defender just managed to get his foot to the ball the moment an opponent was about to pull the trigger.
The Hornets went close to opening the scoring on 53 minutes when Zavier Massiah-Edwards let fly, and after the ball had rebounded off the crossbar, Emmanuel Adeyemo’s follow up went over from close range.
For the R’s, Rohan Vaughan ran almost the length of the pitch before his low shot whizzed past the upright.
Enis Neziri replaced Jaiden Putman around the hour-mark
Two minutes later, Joshua Keyes’ drive closely evaded the target.
The final change came on 76 minutes when Archie O’Brien made way for Luka Radojevic.
Pretty much the last piece of action came when Albert Eames’ shot was well held by Nathan Shepperd.
Full-time: 0-0.
Paul Furlong’s side then took on Ipswich Town at the TSG Training Centre.
Steve Russell