Premier League Cup
Team: Warren, Adamson, Putman, Smith, Akindileni, Aoraha, Sanyaolu, Dyke, Bennie, O’Brien, Pearman
Subs: Taylor, Street, Alemayehu, Coomes, Hassan
The match was switched to the TSG Training Centre as Hanwell’s pitch was deemed unplayable.
So, on a mild evening, the cup tie went ahead at 7pm under the lights on the first team’s training pitch.
Rangers took the lead after just three minutes following a Stockport corner. A swift counter-attack was spearheaded by Kaleb Dyke.
With the away side appealing for offside, he then squared the ball to Daniel Bennie, who proceeded to drive it home.
As Philip Sanyaolu was put through on goal, Cian O’Shea ended up grounded and in need of some attention.
Although there had appeared to be little contact, the Stockport keeper wasn’t able to continue, and he was eventually replaced.
Stockport’s first shot on target was comfortably saved by Charlie Warren.
At the other end, Philip Sanyaolu, set himself up in the ‘D’, before shooting just over the crossbar.
Mr Merchant booked Sam Lennon on 39 minutes after a blatant tug of an opponent’s shirt.
Rangers were awarded a corner in the closing stages, which was followed by a second one, but this time the County keeper grabbed hold of the ball.
The half-time whistle was blown after six added minutes.
A few minutes into the second-half and Sam Lennon’s shot was comfortable saved by the R’s keeper.
As Rangers looked to double their lead, Archie O’Brien fired the ball just over the crossbar.
Then, following a good passage of play down the right-flank, the move concluded with Daniel Bennie forcing a very good save from the keeper.
The first change was made after 58 minutes, when Jake Coomes came on for Philip Sanyaolu.
The R’s substitute was soon in the thick of the action. After cutting in from the wing, Jake Coomes forced a superb full-length block by a defender.
Stockport equalised against the run of play just after the hour-mark, courtesy of Bruno Cina’s strike into the far corner. This goal undoubtedly lifted the away side.
In the 64th minute, Isak Alemayehu was introduced at the expense of Jaylan Pearman.
Charlie Warren was shown a yellow card after the R’s keeper had brought down Collins Nino.
Joe Hillary stepped up to take the free kick but then fired well over the crossbar.
Stockport went close to taking the lead on 74 minutes when Bruno Cina’s header bounced off the bar.
Tylon Smith was the next player to be booked.
The final change was made on 79 minutes when Ridwan Hassan replaced Kaleb Dyke.
Following Jake Coomes’ attempt near the far post, the follow up was thwarted by a Hatters defender’s block, when he somehow slid full-length to keep it out!
Ridwan Hassan was the final Rangers player to be cautioned.
The R’s substitute set-up Kealey Adamson, whose close-range attempt came off the crossbar.
The QPR winner arrived deep into stoppage time after Alex Aoraha had threaded the ball to Daniel Bennie. The Rangers No.9 then rounded the keeper before tapping it in.
Mr Merchant blew the final whistle a minute or so later.
This win put the R’s back to the top of the group with two games to play.
Steve Russell
