QPR Development Squad (2) – Peterborough United U21 (0) 

U21 Professional Development League 2 

Team: Salamon, Putman, Da Silva, McCann, Wilkie, Tuck, Petrie, Morgan, Bennie, Murphy, Vaughan 

Subs: Halliday, Leahy, McDowell, Sutton, Dillon 

Following a big drop in the temperature, but on a bright afternoon at Loftus Road, it was Kieran Petrie’s pass to Harry Murphy that provided the first goal attempt in the opening minutes. 

The Rangers captain’s subsequent shot from all of 25-yards flashed just past the upright  

Then, Kieran Petrie’s cross from the right closely evaded a team-mate in the penalty area. 

The hosts were certainly having the best of it and on 21 minutes, Harry Murphy’s strike at goal, went one bounce into Bastian Smith’s gloves. 

It was no surprise when the R’s took the lead on 33 minutes. Rohan Vaughan’s cross from the left-flank was met by Daniel Bennie’s side-foot volley at the far-post.  

And four minutes later, despite being impeded enroute, Daniel Bennie’s shot was saved by the keeper. 

Whilst at the other end, Jaiden Putman’s excellent interception from just outside the box prevented a possible Posh goal. The Rangers full-back then cleared the ball away to safety. Half-time: 1-0.  

Paul Furlong made two changes for the commencement of the second-half, which saw Cian Dillon and Jack McDowell replace Rohan Vaughan and Noah McCann respectively.  

Mr Jackson booked Alfie Tuck after committing a number of fouls within a short period. 

Daniel Bennie did well to force his way to the bye-line, where his shot at the near-post was finger-tipped away by the keeper. 

On 51 minutes, Alfie Tuck had to change his bloodied No.6 shirt to an un-numbered one. 

Six minutes later, Lucca Menoonca was shown a yellow card after fouling Joao Da Silva. From which, Harry Murphy’s free kick in a widish position on the edge of the box, was heading for the top-corner, but Bastian Smith managed to push it behind for a corner. 

On the hour mark, Joao Da Silva made way for Jake Leahy. 

Following a collision involving Jack McDowell and Lucca Menoonca in the Peterborough box, the Posh No.2 was left down for some time in need of attention. 

The final change came around 70 minutes when Kieran Morgan made way for Emmerson Sutton.  

The visitors had offered very little and on 81 minutes, Ma’Kel Campbell’s attempt on goal ended up wide of the target. 

Some excellent defending was provided by Alex Wilkie when the centre-back superbly controlled the ball in the air, before taking it down and away from an opponent to safety. 

Into the closing stages, and Daniel Bennie’s low ball to an unmarked Emmerson Sutton was put wide by the R’s substitute.  

Mr Jackson booked George Holley on 88 minutes. 

Rangers doubled their lead in added time following good work by Kieran Petrie. Cian Dillon then had the easy task of tapping the ball into an empty net. 

Paul Furlong’s side then looked forward to the arrival of Brentford for the Premier League Cup Final.  

Steve Russell