U21 Professional Development League 2
Team: Trialist, Friel, Leahy, Street, Cuthbert, trialist, Scarlett, Neill, Wright, Moore, Neziri
Subs: Loades, Skeete, Balogun, Edouard-Marisson, Ikoraha
Following the Premier League Cup win the night before against West Brom, a very young R’s side, which also included two trialists, then took on Birmingham City at the SkyEx Community Stadium.
The first real attempt on a very windy evening was provided by the visitors, when Menzi Mazwi’s close range shot was well blocked.
Blues took the lead on 15 minutes after the R’s had lost possession. This led to O’Shea Ellis setting up Briar Bateman, who then slotted the ball inside the near-post.
Briar Bateman then had two goalscoring opportunities. His first effort was held by the keeper, which was followed by the striker shooting well over the bar.
At the other end, after 25 minutes, Fraser Neill’s attempt was blocked in the box.
Then around five minutes later, a great ball out to Leon Scarlett resulted in the R’s No.7’s cross somehow evading everyone. Mr Conn booked Joshua Wright.
Gabriel Cuthbert set-off upfield, beating opponents as he went, but it came to nothing.
Just before the interval, Daniel Isichei’s close range effort forced the R’s keeper down to grab the ball. Half-time: 0-1.
Paul Furlong made two changes for the commencement of the second-half when he introduced Isaiah Balogun and Kemuel Edouard-Marisson at the expense of Jake Leahy and the outfield trialist. Rocco Friel took the captain’s armband.
The visitors could well have doubled their lead just a few minutes in. Daniel Isichei’s dangerous ball aimed at Kurtis Havenhand at the back-post was well intercepted by an R’s defender.
Rocco Friel received a powerful strike to the head, which left him down for some time in need of some attention, but he was able to continue.
Birmingham’s second goal came on 72 minutes after Briar Bateman had set-up Daniel Isichei.
Gabriel Cuthbert was grounded when he headed the ball wide. He had to be helped off, but the R’s centre-back was able to come back on again.
After Kemuel Edouard-Marisson had taken the ball down the left, he beat two defenders, and the Rangers substitute, then cut in to the bye-line before shooting into the side-netting.
Giovanni Ikoraha replaced Kyreece Moore on 83 minutes.
Birmingham successfully saw out the final minutes of the game.
Rangers then travelled to Yorkshire the following week to face Sheffield Wednesday.
Steve Russell