U18 Professional Development League 2
Team: Fittall, Friel, Majesty, Street, Cuthbert, Tarbotton, Neziri, Neill, Sanyaolu, trialist, Strachan
Subs: Radojevic, Keita-Turay, Hamid, Ikoroha, Moore
Most of the regulars had decided to watch the Development Squad take on Cardiff City, whilst Chris Hewitt and I opted for the U18’s game on the adjacent pitch.
In the opening seconds, Alfie Fittall’s clearance rebounded off Philip Sanyaolu’s back to a Barnsley player, but it came to nothing.
Minutes later, Tom Senior received a straight red following his heavy follow-through on Fraser Neill.
The hosts went ahead on 12 minutes after the ball was squared to the No.10 trialist, who then slotted the ball home.
Fraser Neill doubled the R’s lead on 24 minutes.
As Rangers looked to increase their lead, a great pass out to Enis Neziri, then saw the No.7 cutting in and chipping the ball into Aston Wilson’s gloves.
Then, after taking a nice touch, Charlie Street lifted the ball, and his subsequent shot ended up just wide of the target.
Some excellent play in midfield by Fraser Neill when the QPR captain won the ball under pressure, before turning and laying it off.
Into the closing stages and Lorenzo Strachan’s low drive from close on 25-yards landed in the keeper’s gloves.
Enis Neziri was constantly having his shirt tugged and on the latest occasion Mr O’Meara awarded the free kick to the visitors!
Just before the interval, a Rangers corner resulted in two or three players grounded, including Teddy Tarbotton, who looked as if he had taken a knock to the head and was in need of some attention.
Half-time: 2-0. Meanwhile, the Development Squad were one down at the break, courtesy of Tanatswa Nyakuhwa’s penalty.
Kyreece Moore came on after Charlie Street had moved over to replace Isaiah Balogun for the commencement of the Development game, whilst collecting a pair of blue shorts.
As the away side looked to find a way back into the game, Robson Woodcock’s free kick whizzed just past the far-post.
Barnsley did reduce the deficit shortly after. Despite a foul on an R’s player in the build-up, Finley Hunt’s low drive found the back of the net.
On 13 minutes, following Rocco Friel’s excellent run, Philip Sanyaolu, stretching, just managed to get a toe to his first time ball into the six-yard box, but it wasn’t enough to trouble the keeper.
His next excursion upfield resulted in Lorenzo Strachan firing the ball just wide of the far-post from a widish position.
Philip Sanyaolu superbly made his way past two defenders and on towards the bye-line, where he pulled the trigger, forcing a good save from the keeper at the near-post.
On 69 minutes, Lorenzo Strachan made way for Giovanni Ikoroha.
Barnsley’s equaliser came on 76 minutes following a handball on the edge of the box. The resulting free kick was belted in by substitute, Maxymilian Gryncewicz.
Mr O’Meara booked Finley Hunt for a tug on an opponent’s shirt.
With around five minutes remaining, Philip Sanyaolu headed just over the crossbar.
The final piece of action came when Alfie Fittall made a superb save from a close-range header,
One other change was made during the course of the second-half, which saw the introduction of Luka Radojevic at the expense of the trialist.
At the final whistle we walked over to see the last few minutes of the Development game, and just in time to see Rohan Vaughan’s winner when he capitalised on Joao Da Silva’s initial effort.
Earlier, the R’s striker had netted the equaliser from the penalty spot.
Steve Russell