QPR U18 (3) – Swindon Town U18 (1) 

FA Youth Cup 

Team: Loades, Putman, Adjetey-Brew, Street, Balogun, Tarbotton, Kennedy, Neill, Hassan, Sutton, Coomes 

Subs: Jones, Keita-Turay, Radojevic, Hamid, Sanyaolu, Neziri, Ashamu  

The Swindon team coach didn’t arrive until 6.10pm, and spotted entering reception were Ian Holloway and also assistant head-coach Marcus Bignot. 

The first shot of the evening was provided by the visitors, but Callum Loades was able to comfortably grab the ball.  

Just a minute or so later, and following good work by Ridwan Hassan, Jake Coomes was set-up and the ball hit the upright before going for a corner. 

The home side took the lead on eight minutes after Rico Kennedy had bombed down the right-wing. The QPR No.7 squared the ball to Emmerson Sutton who fired it into the back of the net. 

Then, Lucas Myers made a point-blank save from Ridwan Hassan after the R’s striker had twisted and turned in the box, following an excellent run by Fraser Neill.  

At the other end, Botan Ameen’s low-strike flashed just wide of the post. 

Following a swift counter-attack, a dangerous cross found Miles Obodo, who somehow shot wide of the target. 

For the R’s, a Jake Coomes free kick into the box was flicked wide by Ridwan Hassan. 

A Robins breakaway concluded when Callum Loades bravely grabbed the ball at the feet of Botan Ameen. 

The Rangers keeper then made a superb flying save. The ball was pushed wide, resulting in a cross being flicked past the target. 

This was a good period for the visitors. Harry Chard knocked the ball to Dani Gonzalez-Birchall, who shot inches wide. 

Following an excellent passing move, Jake Coomes shot forward and after his shot was blocked, the ball ended up going for a throw-in.  

As two added minutes went up, George Alston was booked.  

Just before the break, following a great run by Fraser Neill through the middle, Rico Kennedy’s shot went behind for a corner. Half-time: 1-0. 

A couple of minutes into the second-half, Botan Ameen forced a superb one-handed diving save from the R’s keeper. 

This was quickly followed by an unmarked Miles Obodo shooting wide of the upright and Liam Hutt firing past the target. 

It was no surprise when the Robins equalised on 65 minutes. Liam Hutt got on the end of a through-ball before lobbing over Callum Loades. 

Philip Sanyaolu was then brought on to replace Rico Kennedy. 

The visitors went close to taking the lead when Dani Gonzalez-Birchall’s shot bounced off the crossbar.  

However, after 72 minutes, the pendulum swung back to the home side, when Jake Coomes curled the ball into the top-corner.  

Two further changes were made on 85 minutes, which saw the introduction of Enis Neziri and Luka Radojevic at the expense of Teddy Tarbotton and Jake Coomes respectively. 

Charlie Street made a superb block, and Rangers wrapped it up after 87 minutes. Ridwan Hassan stabbed the ball home from close range. 

Hassan Hamid came on for Fraser Neill and after five added minutes the R’s had claimed a place in the next round. 

Steve Russell