U21 Professional Development League 2
Team: Halliday, Putman, Da Silva, Balogun, Wilkie, trialist, Petrie, O’Brien, Vaughan, Murphy, Coomes
Subs: Loades, Shann, Talla, Neill, Hassan
There was a torrential downpour whilst enroute to the SkyEx Community Stadium, but by the time I got off the bus at ‘The Grapes’ it had brightened up.
At No.7 for the visitors was former ‘R’, Sam Sackey.
Although Fleetwood had plenty of possession in the opening stages, the first real attempt at goal came from the hosts on 11 minutes, after Kieran Petrie’s deep cross was fired over the bar by Jake Coomes.
The visitors took the lead eight minutes or so later, when Leo Thompson’s cross was nodded in by Rylee Wilkinson.
It wasn’t until just after the half-hour mark, when the R’s came close to forcing an equaliser. Joao Da Silva burst down the left-flank and looking like he had over-run the ball, he kept going before shooting just wide of the far-post.
At the other end, following a cross from the right, Fin Cross-Adair’s free header cleared the bar.
Then, just before the break, Jake Coomes ran over to the other side of the pitch to clear the danger. Half-time: 0-1.
Not for the first time this season, one of the floodlights went out. The referee appeared to consult both benches before play continued.
Elidon O’Boyle broke away to then shoot from inside the box. Joel Halliday managed to get a touch on the ball, which left him in need of some attention.
As the R’s pressed for an equaliser, it seemed that all crosses into the penalty area were comfortably cleared by the Fleetwood defenders.
Then, on 64 minutes, Rohan Vaughan skipped into the box and his strike narrowly evaded the far-post. It was noticeable that Mr Martland was generally turning a blind eye to the constant fouling on the R’s striker!
Paul Furlong made two changes a few minutes later, which saw the introduction of Ridwan Hassan and Casey Shann at the expense of Rohan Vaughan and the trialist.
Rangers got a deserved equaliser on 69 minutes. Kieran Petrie’s low ball in from the right was knocked home by Ridwan Hassan from close range.
On 74 minutes, Joao Da Silva’s superb 25-yard strike bounced off the crossbar.
A ball over from the right resulted in Luke Hewitson seemingly colliding with the upright and leaving him down to await the physio.
The Cods keeper was okay to continue, and he soon had to deal with Harry Murphy’s curling shot at goal, which forced him down to keep it out.
The hosts went close to a winner in the final stages. The Fleetwood keeper stopped Joao Da Silva’s initial attempt after the R’s full-back had got past Will Johnson and Harry Murphy’s follow-up was deflected behind for a corner.
Just before Mr Martland blew the final whistle, Archie O’Brien shot over the crossbar from close range.
The Development Squad then took on Cardiff City the following week at the TSG Elite Training Centre.
Steve Russell