U21 Professional Development League 2
Team: Halliday, Manufor, Da Silva, Shann, Balogun, Neill, Petrie, Talla, Vaughan, O’Brien, trialist
Subs: Loades, Friel, Street, Neziri, Sanyaolu
On a lovely Spring afternoon in Heston, it was Lorent Talla who provided the first shot on target after four minutes. The R’s No.8’s attempt forced the keeper down to successfully grab the ball.
Two minutes later, Kieran Petrie cut in from the wing and his shot was then deflected behind for a corner.
At the other end, a swift attack initiated by Ibrihim Fullah, resulted in Joao Da Silva’s superb sliding tackle to nullify the danger.
The Addicks first attempt on target came after 34 minutes but Joel Halliday was equal to it.
As the ball was going behind for a corner, Fraser Neill was clearly taken out on the edge of the box! Two further successive corners followed, but they all came to nothing.
For the visitors, Ibrihim Fullah’s strike curled wide of the target.
After being put down for the third time, the Rangers trialist was withdrawn and Philip Sanyaolu replaced him on the wing.
The home side almost took the lead close to the interval when Lorent Talla’s attempt from the edge of the box, struck the upright. Half-time: 0-0.
Into the second-half, and Jacob Safa got away with a naughty challenge on Isaiah Balogun, with Mr Laflin preferring to just issue a warning to the Charlton substitute!
Joel Halliday did well to get down to grab Henry Rylah’s close-range shot.
Charlton took the lead in the 58th minute after Henry Rylah’s shot had rebounded off the crossbar. The Addicks striker was well placed to then steer the ball into an empty net.
The visitors doubled their lead just two minutes later when Ibrihim Fullah seized upon a loose ball. The Charlton No.11 went on to knock the ball home after rounding the R’s keeper.
The R’s pulled a goal back after Kieran Petrie had been fouled in the box. The Rangers No.7 then stepped up and after his initial spot-kick was saved, he was on hand to finish with his second attempt.
In his anger, Lennon MacLorg booted the ball away and Mr Laflin booked him.
Paul Furlong’s next change was made after 74 minutes, which saw Isaiah Balogun making way for Charlie Street.
The hosts equaliser came on 83 minutes when a pass out from the keeper was intercepted. Rohan Vaughan took full advantage and was able to pick his spot.
Five minutes or so later, Fraser Neill’s solid but fair challenge, left the R’s No.6 down and requiring some treatment, with Mr Laflin hovering with a yellow card!
Rocco Friel was introduced at the expense of Sam Manufor in the closing stages.
It finished all-square after seven-and-a-half added minutes.
Games were coming thick and fast as Rangers then took on Fleetwood Town four days later at the SkyEx Community Stadium.
Steve Russell