Cray Valley (PM) (3) – QPR Development Squad (7)
London Senior Cup 2nd Round
Team: Salamon, Putman, Smith, Akindileni, Street, Aoraha, Alemayehu, Sanyaolu, Bennie, Pearman, Coomes
Subs: Warren, Moore, Dyke, O’Brien, Hassan
Attendance: 125
Very heavy rain descended upon the Artic Stadium before kick-off, and it pretty much continued throughout the match. I really did think that the game may well be postponed or eventually abandoned!
The home side won two successive corners in the opening minutes, but it was the R’s who took the lead in the 6th minute with their first attempt on goal, when Alex Aoraha’s low strike from the edge of the box beat Shaun Peart-Rowley.
However, the home side equalised five minutes or so later, after Ibrahim Akanbi’s attempt from twenty-odd yards, skidded into the corner.
The R’s got their noses in front three minutes later courtesy of Philip Sanyaolu’s close range follow-up shot.
It was soon 3-1 when he added his second in the 20th minute. Under pressure, he kept going, before smashing the ball into the roof of the net.
Then, after out-running the Millers defender, Jake Coomes’ chip narrowly cleared the crossbar.
Just before the interval, Isaiah Harvey, from just inside the box, curled his shot away from the target. Half-time: 3-1.
As the rain briefly eased off, four minutes after the break, Philip Sanyaolu cut in and his strike at goal was pushed away by the keeper for a throw-in.
Rangers were dominating possession and after 56 minutes, Daniel Bennie’s spot-kick made it 4-1.
The first change was made a minute later when Archie O’Brien replaced Jaylan Pearman.
And shortly after, Alex Aoraha’s shot was deflected onto the crossbar before going behind for a corner.
Around the hour-mark, an unmarked Ibrahim Akanbi pulled a goal back for the Millers.
Mr Conn booked Charlie Street following a heavy challenge.
It became 5-2 on 67 minutes, after Daniel Bennie took hold of a superb through-ball. He then continued his run before slotting it home.
After Philip Sanyaolu had bombed down the right-wing, his pace took him past two defenders. Despite being clipped a couple of times, he kept going and made his way into the box, where he shot past the keeper to complete his hat-trick.
On 71 minutes, Kaleb Dyke and Ridwan Hassan were introduced at the expense of Philip Sanyaolu and Jake Coomes respectively.
This was followed nine minutes later, when Daniel Bennie made way for Kyreece Moore.
The second hat-trick of the evening was provided by Ibrahim Akanbi on 86 minutes, following Fumni Shomotun’s pacy run down the wing.
As the R’s looked to increase their lead further, Shaun Peart-Rowley put Kaleb Dyke’s low drive behind for a corner.
The final goal came in the 89th minute when Tylon Smith’s header found its way inside the post.
The 20-year-old defender had been named in South Africa’s final squad for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
Mr Conn blew the final whistle after four added minutes.
As we made our way out, the rain suddenly stopped!
I must mention Millers substitute Fumni Shomotun, who made an instant impression when he was brought on after 68 minutes.
Lastly, well done to Cray Valley (PM) on producing such an excellent match programme, at just £1.50!
Steve Russell