Premier League Cup
Team: Warren, Friel, Agbude, Akindileni, Street, Neill, Scarlett, O’Brien, Obikwu, Sutton, Brunson
Subs: Taylor, Pullella, Wiles, Kennedy, Wright
On a very hot evening at Loftus Road, an enforced change was made in the 7th minute, when Kobe Agbude was helped off and Tom Wiles replaced him.
The first opportunity fell to the visitors when a dangerous cross from the right was bravely grabbed by Charlie Warren.
At the other end, after Rocco Friel had played the ball back, the resulting strike narrowly cleared the bar.
Then, a couple of minutes later, some nice play by Leon Scarlett saw the winger cut-in, go past a defender and shoot just over.
Twenty-three minutes in, Kalen Brunson curled one into the keeper’s gloves, and this was followed by Luke Hutchinson getting down and saving Justin Obikwu’s touch from a low ball into the six-yard box.
Rangers had the ball in the net on 27 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside.
It was Justin Obikwu who gave the R’s a deserved lead a couple of minutes later. Looking like he could lose control of the ball he continued to force himself through three defenders before finishing.
Charlie Warren momentarily lost control of a low strike, but then quickly recovered and got down to grab the ball.
The visitors really should have equalised on 34 minutes when, with the goal at his mercy, Tom King shot wide of the upright.
Into the two added minutes, and Charlie Street made a superb block in the box. Half-time: 1-0.
One change was made after the interval when Josh Wright was introduced at the expense of Justin Obikwu.
Bolton were having the best of the early stages with the R’s guilty of giving the ball away on several occasions.
In the 51st minute, Christian Pullella came on for Kalen Brunson.
Rangers then grew back into the game and doubled their lead in the 57th minute when Fraser Neill ran almost the length of the pitch, before letting fly from around the edge of the box.
Emmerson Sutton added a third goal from close range two minutes later following Leon Scarlett’s cross from the right.
Mr Norton booked Max Lott after he had impeded Leon Scarlett, and shortly after the Bolton No.11’s attempt came off the crossbar.
Christian Pullella was the next player to be shown a yellow card.
With Fraser Neill receiving some attention, the players took a drinks break. Eventually, after 75 minutes, Rico Kennedy replaced him.
A few minutes later, Max Lott’s attempt was tipped onto the bar before going behind.
Bolton pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute. Charlie Warren lost possession 40 yards out and substitute, Denver Clement, then chipped the ball into an empty net.
The R’s keeper did really well when he managed to grab the ball as the Whites player was about to walk it into the net.
Emmerson Sutton scored his second of the night in the 92nd minute, when he fired the ball into the bottom corner.
Mr Norton blew the final whistle after six added minutes.
It was an impressive performance by Max Lott. The 19-year-old was released by Aston Villa during the summer.
The other two sides in Group ‘A’ are Southampton and Blackburn Rovers.
Steve Russell