U21 Professional Development League 2
Team: Fittall, Petrie, Adjetey-Brew, Balogun, Majesty, Dyke, Scarlett, Neziri, Oluwabusola, trialist, Coomes
Subs: Taylor, Cuthbert, Boddy, Neill, O’Brien
After the U18’s had lost 1-2 earlier in the day, we waited in the car park again for the commencement of the Development Squad game at 2pm.
With no Paul Furlong and a number of youngsters en route to Plymouth, the team sheet revealed some 16-year-olds in the starting line-up along with a trialist at No.10.
Also Kasey Taylor moved over to the bench after playing in goal for the U18’s earlier.
After a fairly even opening, Mr Hathway booked Isaiah Balogun following a wild challenge just outside the Rangers penalty area.
The visitors had a good opportunity to take the lead after Tristen Batanni had got to the bye-line, where he squared the ball, but somehow it evaded everyone, before going behind for a goal-kick.
Rangers’ first real attempt came after Kaleb Dyke’s excellent cross-field ball over to Jake Coomes on the left-wing. The R’s No. 11’s shot ended up in the keeper’s gloves.
Coventry went on to score two goals in the first 20 minutes or so. The first scorer was unmarked when he picked his spot, and the second one came after Rangers had lost possession whilst attempting to play it from the back.
At the other end, excellent play by Leon Scarlett, saw the No.7 weave his way through the box. His angled shot was then cleared off the line at the far-post.
Following Jake Coomes’ run down the left-flank, the Rangers trialist’s deflected attempt forced Oscar Varney down to palm the ball away.
As the R’s continued to look to reduce the deficit, Leon Scarlett’s cross into the box found the trialist, who after turning, saw his attempt blocked. This was followed by a drinks break.
The home side got the goal they deserved on 36 minutes courtesy of the trialist’s close range shot.
Rangers went close to conceding a third goal when Alfie Fittall was almost caught out with a sudden back-pass.
Closing in on the interval, and the players went off for more drinks.
Just before the break, Tristen Batanni was left grounded for some time following a corner. Half-time: 1-2.
Into the second-half, and the Sky Blues went close to increasing their lead on two occasions. Firstly, the R’s keeper made a good save from a corner, and then just after that, a shot narrowly evaded the crossbar.
Charlie Finney scored the visitors third goal on 54 minutes. And then just after, following a breakaway, Alfie Fittall did really well to keep out Jack James’ strike at goal.
With two R’s players down for different reasons in the Coventry penalty area, the players headed for the dugouts for drinks. Isaiah Balogun had to eventually leave the field on a buggy.
Also departing were Enis Neziri and Gabriel Oluwabusola, and the three players were replaced by Gabriel Cuthbert, Fraser Neill and Archie O’Brien respectively.
Rangers reduced the deficit on 67 minutes when Archie O’Brien let fly from a good 20-odd yards.
Mr Hathway not surprisingly booked David Mantle following an arm in the face of a Rangers player, and this prompted another pause for drinks.
The R’s trialist bombed forward before belting his attempt into the side-netting.
The away side added a fourth goal after 82 minutes when Elliot Betjemann waltzed his way forward before shooting into the corner.
A superb opportunist goal from Jake Coomes a minute or so later made it 3-4. The R’s winger’s drive from 25-yards certainly caught out Oscar Varney.
Some excellent play from Cory Adjetey-Brew saw the QPR full-back twist and turn whilst under pressure, before laying the ball off.
And in the closing stages Alfie Fittall made a great save with his legs.
Next up for the Development Squad is a trip next week to the Idverde training ground to take on Peterborough United.
Steve Russell