QPR Development Squad (1) – Fleetwood Town U21 (1)

U21 Professional Development League 2

Team: Halliday, Putman, Da Silva, Balogun, Wilkie, trialist, Petrie, O’Brien, Vaughan, Murphy, Coomes

Subs: Loades, Shann, Talla, Neill, and Hassan.

There was a torrential downpour on the way to the SkyEx Community Stadium, but it had cleared by the time I got off the bus at ‘The Grapes’.

Former ‘R’ Sam Sackey was ranked seventh among the visitors.

Although Fleetwood had plenty of possession in the early stages, the hosts’ first real attempt at goal came on 11 minutes, when Jake Coomes fired over the bar from Kieran Petrie’s deep cross.

Rylee Wilkinson nodded in Leo Thompson’s cross, giving the visitors the lead about eight minutes later.

It wasn’t until just after the half-hour mark that the Reds came close to equalising. Joao Da Silva burst down the left flank, appearing to have overrun the ball, but he continued on before shooting just wide of the far post.

At the other end, Fin Cross-Adair’s free header cleared the crossbar after a right-wing cross.

Then, just before the break, Jake Coomes dashed to the other side of the pitch to clear the threat. Half-time: 0–1.

Not for the first time this season, one of the floodlights failed. The referee appeared to consult with both benches before continuing play.

Elidon O’Boyle broke away and shot from inside the box. Joel Halliday managed to get a touch on the ball, putting him in need of some attention.

As the Reds pressed for an equaliser, it appeared that all crosses into the penalty area were easily cleared by Fleetwood’s defenders.

Then, on 64 minutes, Rohan Vaughan skipped into the box, but his shot narrowly missed the far post. Mr Martland was clearly turning a blind eye to the constant fouling on the R’s striker!

A few minutes later, Paul Furlong made two changes, bringing on Ridwan Hassan and Casey Shann instead of Rohan Vaughan and the trialist.

Rangers earned a deserved equaliser on 69 minutes. Ridwan Hassan scored from close range after Kieran Petrie sent in a low ball from the right.

On 74 minutes, Joao Da Silva’s superb 25-yard strike deflected off the crossbar.

Luke Hewitson appeared to collide with the upright after receiving a ball over from the right, leaving him down to await physio.

The Cods’ keeper was able to continue, but had to deal with Harry Murphy’s curling shot at goal, forcing him down to keep it out.

The hosts came close to winning in the final stages. The Fleetwood keeper stopped Joao Da Silva’s initial attempt after the R’s full-back had got past Will Johnson and Harry Murphy’s follow-up was deflected behind for a corner.

Archie O’Brien fired a close-range shot over the crossbar just before Mr Martland blew his final whistle.

The Development Squad then took on Cardiff City the following week at the TSG Elite Training Centre.

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