QPR Development Squad (2) – Burnley U21 (0)
Premier League Cup Semi-Final
Team: Shepperd, Putman, Da Silva, McDowell, Wilkie, Tuck, Bennie, Morgan, Kolli, Murphy, Sutton
Subs: Halliday, Leahy, Dillon, Petrie, O’Brien
After knocking out West Brom in the previous round, Rangers then faced Burnley in the semi-final at Loftus Road.
Ninety seconds or so in and with nearly 1,000 fans in attendance, Rangers were awarded a free kick after Rayan Kolli was impeded. Harry Murphy’s free kick was floated into the box, but it came to nothing.
Then, after five minutes, Rayan Kolli’s shot was blocked before going behind. From the subsequent corner, Alex Wilkie’s header was stopped on the line.
Following another corner three minutes later, Jack McDowell’s header was palmed away by the keeper.
At the other end, Julian Vetro danced his way into the penalty area before winning a corner.
The visitors were beginning to grow into the game and after an infringement wasn’t awarded, Nathan Shepperd made an excellent one-handed save before the flag eventually went up.
Jack McDowell was clearly vexed about something, which led to a number of players getting involved and pushing and barging each other. After it had all calmed down, Mr Mackey booked Kieran Morgan and one of the Burnley players.
A free kick into the box after 19 minutes resulted in Tommy McDermott’s volley being knocked away by the Rangers keeper.
Nathan Shepperd was called upon again eight minutes later when his flying-save kept out Troy Savage’s 25-yard drive.
For the R’s, Joao Da Silva’s low shot from just outside the box was comfortably held by Charlie Casper.
After some nice interplay around the penalty area, the Burnley keeper managed to hold on to Kieran Morgan’s powerful strike.
A great ball to the onrushing Emmerson Sutton resulted in the R’s winger’s shot coming off the upright. After one added minute it remained goalless at the break.
For the start of the second-half, Paul Furlong brought on Cian Dillon at the expense of Rayan Kolli.
Three minutes in, and Daniel Bennie’s shot from the corner of the box was well saved by Charlie Casper.
On 63 minutes, after Julian Vetro had weaved his way goalwards, his subsequent effort forced Nathan Shepperd down to smother the ball.
Mr Mackey booked Daniel Bennie seven minutes later following a shove on an opponent.
Then, shortly after, a succession of blocks could well have averted a goal for the home side as the ball pinballed around the penalty area.
QPR did take the lead on 75 minutes after Cian Dillon was pulled down in the box. Harry Murphy then stepped up and smashed the ball into the roof of the net via the underside of the crossbar.
Cue the Rangers players mimicking the Burnley goal celebrations just a few days earlier!
Five minutes or so later, Harry Murphy curled his shot just wide of the target. And shortly after that, the Rangers captain was booked following a tug on an opponent.
For the Clarets, substitute Charlie Veevers’ shot dipped just over the crossbar.
And on 88 minutes, Emmerson Sutton’s attempt rose late as it continued to just clear the target.
The next change came a minute later when Kieran Petrie replaced Daniel Bennie.
Six added minutes were then indicated, and two minutes in, Kieran Morgan made way for Archie O’Brien.
And two minutes after that, Jake Leahy was introduced at the expense of Jack McDowell who had been struggling with cramp.
There was just enough time for the R’s to add a second goal. Harry Murphy set-up an unmarked Kieran Petrie who directed his shot past Charlie Casper.
Well done to Paul Furlong and all his players on reaching the final.
Steve Russell