FA Youth Cup
Team: Fittall, Street, Adjetey-Brew, Balogun, Akindileni, Wiles, Sanyaolu, Tarbotton, Hassan, Neill, Trujillo
Subs: Taylor, Cuthbert, Moore, Brunson, Scarlett, Neziri, Oluwabusola
Under the lights at Loftus Road, the R’s took the lead in the 10th minute after winning a corner.
And following an excellent stop, captain, Teddy Tarbotton found the top corner after letting fly from around 25 yards.
At the other end two minutes later, Georgios Tzengko’s header forced Alfie Fittall into a diving save, and the ball then went behind for a corner.
City, (aka the Hoops), almost gave another goal away, when trying to play it from the back, but eventually they managed to clear the ball to safety.
After 23 minutes, Cory Adjetey-Brew’s ball into the box from the bye-line, was belted over the bar by Ridwan Hassan.
This passage of play left two players grounded and in need of some attention, which then led to a drinks break.
Around the half-hour mark, Philip Sanyaolu’s attempt from around 20 yards rattled the crossbar.
Mr Osborn booked Cory Adjetey-Brew after tripping an opponent.
The visitors went close to an equaliser after 37 minutes. Their first attempt was knocked away by Alfie Fittall, and Jacob Parker-Hunt’s follow-up was then blocked by Tim Akindileni.
On 40 minutes, Tom Wiles was the next player to be shown a yellow card.
City’s equaliser came in the 44th minute from the penalty spot, following Isaiah Balogun’s challenge on Kauan Bitencourt de Oliveira in the box. The Brazilian then stepped up and shot past Allfie Fittall.
Mr Osborn blew the half-time whistle after five added minutes.
On the re-start, a through-ball provoked Alfie Fittall to charge out from his area and clear it to safety.
Rangers went 2-1 up in the 50th minute after Ridwan Hassan knocked in Fraser Neill’s low cross.
Six minutes later, after a number of touches around the box, the ball came off the underside of the bar, and Max Tremi then successfully grabbed it.
A City player was booked just before the first change was made around the hour-mark, when Ashley Trujillo made way for Kalen Brunson.
Shortly after, the R’s substitute got himself to the bye-line, and a great ball across the six-yard box somehow evaded everyone!
The home side increased their lead in the 65th minute. Cory Adjetey-Brew’s cross was tapped in by the onrushing Fraser Neill.
It became four after 70 minutes when Fraser Neill headed home, Cory Adjetey-Brew’s centre. He was then withdrawn, and Enis Neziri replaced him.
Piotr Fornal became the second Oxford player to be cautioned on 79 minutes, and shortly after Georgios Tzengko followed suit.
Ridwan Hassan took hold of a through-ball and made no mistake with a powerful strike to complete the scoring.
On 85 minutes, Tom Charles introduced Gabriel Cuthbert, Leon Scarlett and Gabriel Oluwabusola at the expense of Isaiah Balogun, Philip Sanyaolu and Ridwan Hassan respectively.
A convincing win, which will see Rangers facing Brighton & Hove Albion in the 4th round.
Steve Russell