U18 Professional Development League 2
Team: Fittall, Sandiford, Moore, Cuthbert, Balogun, Neill, Scarlett, Neziri, Oluwabusola, Boddy, Trujillo
Subs: Taylor, Ikoraha, Edouard-Marisson, Majesty, McAvoy
A good start by the young R’s at a cloudy, but very warm Heston, commenced with a lovely deft touch by Leon Scarlett, which then found Harvey Boddy, but the move broke down before a shot could be produced.
Then, the Huddersfield keeper did well to stop the ball on the line with his legs.
Rangers took the lead on 10 minutes after a good move down the left which saw Kyreece Moore set up Ashley Trujillo, who proceeded to pick his spot.
This was soon followed by Alexander Walpole making a brave save, when he went down to take possession of a low cross from the left-flank.
The Terriers equalised a few minutes later after Zac Bowker’s low strike found the bottom corner.
At the other end, Gabriel Oluwabusola’s shot was comfortably saved by the keeper.
Following James Spencer’s free kick into the box, Patrick Key scrambled the ball into the net, but it was ruled out for offside.
Rangers regained the lead on 37 minutes after Ashley Trujillo had got to the bye-line, and the R’s No.11’s cross received the slightest of touches from Gabriel Oluwabusola.
The visitors went close to drawing level again, when Zac Bowker side-footed the ball just past the upright. Half-time: 2-1.
Behind us, the U16’s were playing Bristol Rovers, and over on the pitch to our left, a training session was underway.
Two changes were made for the start of the second-half, which saw the introduction of Kemuel Edouard-Marisson and James McAvoy, at the expense of Gabriel Oluwabusola and Leon Scarlett respectively.
Ashley Trujillo’s shot lacked power, and the keeper was able to make a comfortable save.
His next attempt was a low strike from a corner, which Alexander Walpole managed to hold.
Whilst Patrick Key was receiving some attention, the players took a drinks break.
After Enis Neziri had swept forward, the R’s No.8’s shot from 20-odd yards narrowly evaded the crossbar.
On 72 minutes, Giovanni Ikoraha came on for Fraser Neill.
Huddersfield brought it back to 2-2 on 78 minutes, when a cross from Zac Bowker found an unmarked team-mate, who then fired the ball into the net.
Both teams took a drinks break, after Isaiah Balogun had been forced off. Nkhai Majesty replaced him.
Alfie Fittall made an outstanding save after the ball had been knocked into the box.
The Terriers went close again to taking the lead when Zac Bowker’s side-footed lob just cleared the bar.
For the R’s, Kyreece Moore found Ashley Trujillo whose low shot hit the outside of the upright.
Into added time, and Mr Martin booked Luke Schofield for ridiculously booting the ball upfield!
A minute or so from the final whistle, Michael Onyeka’s received a second yellow card following an awful challenge on Harvey Boddy.
Steve Russell