U21 Professional Development League 2
Team: Warren, Friel, Smith, McCann, Adjetey-Brew, Dyke, Alemayehu, Dillon, Pearman, Brunson, Sanyaolu
Subs: Taylor, Pullella, Neill, O’Brien, Hassan
On a sunny afternoon at the TSG Training Centre, prior to kick-off, we looked on as some of the U18’s players boarded the coach ahead of their trip to Fleetwood.
The first Rangers attempt against third-placed AFC Bournemouth, came as early as the first minute. Following a corner, the ball ended up going over the crossbar.
The hosts went on to take the lead in the 8th minute after Philip Sanyaolu had cut in before firing the ball into the bottom corner.
At the other end, a close-range shot was stopped by Noah McCann’s outstretched boot, and the R’s captain then cleared the ball to safety.
For the Cherries. Jonny Day’s low drive forced Charlie Warren down and smother the ball.
Some excellent defending from Kaleb Dyke saw the R’s No.6 cut across the six-yard box and close down an opponent as he was about to shoot.
After Tylon Smith had cleared one off the line, Rangers doubled their lead on 25 minutes.
Following an excellent build-up, good movement, and after Philip Sanyaolu’s back-heel and Jaylan Pearman’s cross, Cian Dillon then fired the ball into the roof of the net.
Bournemouth pulled a goal back around the half-hour mark after Jonny Day had closed down Charlie Warren.
For the R’s, Kaleb Dyke set-up Kalen Brunson who then got to the bye-line and his attempt evaded Mack Allan before clipping the outside of the upright.
Rangers went further ahead in the closing stages. Rocco Friel’s cross picked out Jaylan Pearman, who then smashed the ball into the net. Half-time: 3-1.
Into the second-half and the visitors came close to narrowing the deficit after the ball had been given away.
Charlie Warren made a flying save, and Cory Adjetey-Brew was well placed to clear the ball to safety.
Then, Jaylan Pearman’s strike came off the post following good work by Cian Dillon.
It soon became 4-1. Following Rocco Friel’s cross, Isak Alemayehu, standing side-on close to the near post, knocked it up, before his acrobatic strike ended up inside the far post!
As the R’s looked to increase their lead, Kalen Brunson went on a run through the middle, before knocking the ball on to Jaylan Pearman, who then let fly, forcing Mack Allan to tip it over the bar.
For the Cherries, Finn Tonks’ ball in from the right found Charlie Stevens who shot wide of the target.
It became 4-2 in the 61st minute following Remy Rees-Dottin’s tap-in from close range.
A nice touch from Cory Adjetey-Brew to an overlapping Philip Sanyaolu who proceeded to square the ball, which somehow evaded everyone in the box.
Two changes were made on 71 minutes, which saw the introduction of Fraser Neill and Archie O’Brien at the expense of Kaleb Dyke and Philip Sanyaolu respectively.
Rangers’ fifth goal came after Isak Alemayeho had knocked the ball to Jaylan Pearman in a widish position, who then curled it into the back of the net.
On 83 minutes, Ridwan Hassan and Christian Pullella replaced Cian Dillon and Kalen Brunson respectively.
After Michael Dacosta Gonzalez had been fouled just outside the penalty area, Charlie Stevens’s free kick was headed away to safety.
And shortly after that, Charlie Warren made a superb finger-tip save from Eugene Nyarko’s header.
The Development Squad travelled to Crewe the following week for their final league game of the season.
Steve Russell