QPR Development Squad (0) – Bristol City U21 (1) 

U21 Professional Development League 2 

Team: Salamon, Friel, Putman, McDowell, Keita-Turay, Aoraha, Sanyaolu, Neill, Hassan, Tarbotton, Petrie 

Subs Not Used: Clark, Strachan 

The match at Loftus Road originally scheduled for a 1pm kick-off, was delayed due to the away side’s late arrival because of traffic problems. It eventually commenced at 1.45pm. 

It was Ridwan Hassan who posed the first real threat of the afternoon after just four minutes. The R’s striker turned direction outside the box, and his low shot was pushed away by the keeper.  

Hassan was also involved in the R’s next attempt when, approaching the goal, he, the keeper and a defender all ended up grounded as they went for the ball.  

Then, Kieran Petrie set-up Teddy Tarbotton in the box and the No.10’s effort was knocked behind. From the resulting corner, the same player shot over the crossbar. 

The Robins really should have taken the lead after Kai Churchley had passed the ball to the onrushing Charlie Filer, but from close range and in plenty of space, he shot over the bar! 

The visitors did go in front on 24 minutes in rather fortunate circumstances after Kai Churchley had got a lucky ricochet by the corner flag. He then proceeded down the bye-line and his cross/shot entered the far-corner via an unlucky Jack McDowell.  

At the other end, Kieran Petrie did well to reach a ball close to the corner flag. His looping cross was eventually struck by Alex Aoraha and Jose Casa-Grande pushed the ball behind for a corner. 

On 35 minutes, Kieran Petrie swung over a wonderful cross to an unmarked Jack McDowell, but the R’s centre-back headed over the bar from close range. Half-time: 0-1. 

Into the second-half and after Jose Casa-Grande had knocked up Alex Aoraha’s delivery, Rocco Friel’s header looped over the crossbar. 

As the R’s continued to look for an equaliser, Philip Sanyaolu’s powerful strike was palmed out by the Robins keeper.  

Then, following a defensive error, Matteo Salamon had to dive low to keep the ball out. 

Paul Furlong made two changes on the hour mark, which saw the introduction of Jake Coomes and Isaiah Balogun at the expense of Kemoko Keita-Turay and Philip Sanyaolu.  

Soon after, Teddy Tarbotton, in space, somehow shot wide of the upright from close range. 

Kai Churchley cynically tripped Jake Coomes as headed towards the penalty area, Mr Blair really should have waved play-on! Instead, he awarded a free kick from around 25-yards out. 

After Matteo Salamon had palmed the ball away, Josh Campbell-Slowey belted the ball into the Upper School End. 

Following a good move involving Fraser Neill and Jake Coomes, Alex Aoraha’s powerful drive from the edge of the box was aimed directly at the keeper. 

The final change came on 76 minutes, which saw Rocco Friel being replaced by Cory  Adjetey-Brew.  

Matteo Salamon’s flying save ended up going behind. The resulting corner towards the near-post then went behind for another one.  

Marley Rose was booked after a heavy challenge on Cory Adjetey-Brew. 

Another Robins player was booked and Mr Blair awarded a free kick instead of allowing the move to continue. 

Kai Churchley’s powerful strike forced another very good save from the R’s keeper and later, he was the next City player to be shown a yellow card following a naughty challenge. 

At the final whistle, the score remained 0-1 to the visitors. 

Next up for Paul Furlong’s side is a visit to the JobServe Community Stadium to take on Colchester United.  

Steve Russell