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

U21 Professional Development League 2 

Team: Taylor, Adamson, Esquerdinha, Street, Wilkie, Dyke, Sanyaolu, Tarbotton, Hassan, O’Brien, Scarlett 

Subs: Friel, Adjetey-Brew, Neill, Neziri, Wright 

There was an early booking for Philip Sanyaolu after the R’s winger had clipped Jac Thomas from behind. 

Rangers’ first shot on target came in the 9th minute when Archie O’Brien’s strike was deflected into the keeper’s gloves. 

A minute or so later, Jake Davies’ angled attempt forced Kasey Taylor down to grab hold of the ball.  

On 21 minutes, Esquerdinha’s low cross into the box found Leon Scarlett, who then put the ball over the bar. 

At the other end, Kasey Taylor made a brave save at the feet of Sekou Kaba.  

The R’s first corner arrived in the 24th minute, but it came to nothing. 

However, the hosts took the lead a minute later. After Philip Sanyaolu’s initial strike had been saved, Ridwan Hassan was following up to knock it into an empty net. 

Jac Thomas’ 25-yard free kick in the 37th minute was well held at the near post. The Bluebirds No.3 was certainly a stand-out player for the visitors. 

Despite this, and with Kealey Adamson marking Sekou Kaba, Thomas was being given far too much space.  

On 41 minutes, Mr Morgan booked Jac Thomas for holding on to Philp Sanyaolu.  

Half-time: 1-0. 

For the start of the second-half, Rocco Friel replaced Charlie Street. This change saw Kealey Adamson move to centre-back and Rocco Friel fill-in at right-back. 

Ridwan Hassan’s diving header from Leon Scarlett’s cross forced Daniel Higgs down to grab the ball.  

After being grounded for some time, Kealey Adamson was forced off, and Cory Adjetey-Brew was brought on.  

Around the hour mark, Jac Thomas’ corner was tipped away, and the R’s keeper then made a superb finger-tip save.  

With Jack Kingdon down in the Rangers box, the Cardiff captain was helped off with his head bandaged. 

The visitors came close to an equaliser on 70 minutes, when Jack Sykes’ close range attempt narrowly evaded the upright. 

In the 75th minute, Anthony Hayes introduced Fraser Neill and Enis Neziri at the expense of Philip Sanyaolu and Esquerdinha respectively.  

Leon Scarlett, now on the right-flank, was causing constant problems for the Bluebirds defence.  

After intercepting a pass-out from the back, Jack Sykes’ strike somehow just evaded the far post.  

On 87 minutes, after a great ball had been knocked forward, Ridwan Hassan stretched to get a toe to Teddy Tarbotton’s cross, but Daniel Higgs managed to make the save. 

Two minutes later, Ridwan Hassan’s deft back-heel resulted in Leon Scarlett’s attempt going behind for a corner. 

Into the closing stages and Alex Wilkie was booked, which was soon followed by Mr Morgan showing a yellow card to Cardiff’s Rob Tankiewicz in added time, after he had impeded Leon Scarlett. 

Next up for Anthony Hayes’ side was a trip to the Robins High Performance Centre to take on Bristol City.      
Steve Russell