QPR B (3) – Swansea City U21 (1)
U21 Professional Development League 2
Team: Salamon, Jude-Boyd, Harrack, Woodman, Hawkins, Owens, De Silva, Aoraha, Kargbo, Pedder, Dougui
Subs: Cant, Rossi, Hamid, Murphy, Flaherty
Under the lights at the Powerday Stadium and it was Dillon De Silva who did really well to reach a loose ball ahead of Ben Hughes. The R’s No.7 then managed to get his shot in, which the keeper saved, and the ball went behind.
Following good work by Rafferty Pedder, Hamzad Kargbo belted the ball low and goalwards. Ben Hughes made the save and the ball went out for a corner.
Mr Claussen booked Kai Ludvigsen for a foul on Dillon De Silva 25-yards or so out. Charlie Owens took the free kick, which forced a flying save from Ben Hughes.
The R’s took a deserved lead after De Silva, whilst under pressure, got to the bye-line and his cross was headed home by Adam Dougui.
At the other end, a dangerous low-cross was superbly cut-out by Deon Woodman and the R’s captain then put the ball out for a corner. Josh Thomas was shown a yellow card following an infringement. Half-time: 1-0.
Rangers doubled their lead two minutes or so after the break. Rafferty Pedder’s corner got to Adam Dougui in a widish position and the R’s No.11’s shot was stopped after a deflection and Kayden Harrack successfully followed-up.
The visitors reduced the deficit minutes later after Corey Hurford was brought down in the box. Tivonge Rushesha made no mistake with his spot-kick.
QPR were reduced to ten men on the hour-mark after Arkell Jude-Boyd was shown a second yellow card.
The R’s were awarded a free kick in a good position just outside the box. Stan Flaherty then fired the ball low at the target, which Ben Hughes did well to smother.
Mr Claussen then sent off Josh Thomas after he had fouled Matteo Salamon. The R’s keeper stayed down and in need of some attention.
Rafferty Pedder got through into the box, went past a defender, and his shot was saved by Ben Hughes.
Charlie Owens’ free kick was knocked over for Hamzad Kargbo, who was then harshly ruled offside.
Iwan Morgan broke away for the Swans which resulted in Matteo Salamon being forced down to make a very good save.
Into added time and Rafferty Pedder sealed the win with a well-deserved goal. The R’s No.10 ran across the penalty area, beat two defenders before firing the ball through the Swansea keeper.
Two changes were made during the second-half, which saw Harun Hamid replace Adam Dougui on 62 minutes and Stan Flaherty come on for Dillon De Silva three minutes later.
Steve Russell