Heston was the first port of call where the U18’s took on Exeter City in a Friday afternoon friendly. Although they lost 1-3, there were a number of excellent performances.
Team: Loades, Street, trialist, Balogun, Adjetey-Brew, Cody, Tarbotton, Hayati, McAvoy, trialist, Hassam
Rangers had by far the best of the first-half.
One of the trialists was retained for the second-half, when as expected, wholesale changes were made. The players brought on were; Fittal in goal, plus Blantz, Oshinaike, Cuthbert, Zerrout, Moore, Zygmunt, Stones, Neziri and a trialist.
The Rangers goal was scored by a trialist.
At the final whistle we set off for Hitchin where the Develpment Squad were to take on Bedford Town.
Despite the heavy traffic we managed to arrive at the Top Field Stadium in good time. The 7pm kick-off was put back 15 minutes due to the later than expected arrival of the Rangers team. The players had disembarked from the coach at around 6.40.
Team: Jones, Putman, Manufor, McDowell, Leahy, Morgan, trialist, Sutton, Coomes, trialist, Vaughan
Kieran Morgan went on a great run through the centre of midfield, but it came to nothing. Then, one of the trialist’s curled his shot just wide of the target.
On eight minutes, it was the home side who took the lead when Leon Lobjoit scored following a poor attempted clearance.
At the other end, Rohan Vaughan’s angled strike just evaded the far post.
Lee Bircham’s side went further ahead after 20 minutes, when Ben Baker capitalised on a very poor back-pass.
Then, a ball into the box fell to Kieran Morgan around ten yards out, who then shot over the crossbar.
The Eagles made it three when Ben Baker’s deep free kick was headed in by Carl Mensah from close range.
Rangers went close to reducing the deficit when a 25-yard lob just evaded the crossbar. Half-time: 0-3.
Emmerson Sutton pulled a goal back three minutes after the interval.
Bedford really should have scored a fourth when, following a low cross from the right, the No.11 somehow shot wide from close range.
The R’s No.16 fired past the target, with Rico Kennedy waiting in anticipation in acres of space.
No match programme or team sheet were available.
Paul Furlong made five changes during the course of the second-half, which saw Luka Radojevic and Rico Kennedy come on for Jake Coomes and Jack McDowell respectively.
Later, Hassan Hamid, Fraser Neill and Lorenzo Strachan replaced Kieran Morgan, Rohan Vaughan and one of the trialists.
The Development Squad, together with the U18’s, later set off for Finland.
Thanks to Sammy for the lift.
Steve Russell
