QPR U18 (0) – Mansfield Town (U18) (2)

U18 Professional Development League Cup 

Team: Fittall, trialist, trialist, Cuthbert, Sandiford, Wiles, McAvoy, Whitehead, Oluwabusola, Trujillo, Kennedy 

Subs: Scarlett, Edouard-Marisson, Majesty, Brunson, Gnanalingam 

It’s always windy at the training ground, but prior to kick-off it had certainly gone up to strong gusty proportions! 

A great pass in the early stages found James McAvoy, and as he moved forward, Milla Shore advanced before diving to put the ball behind. 

Then, Gabriel Oluwabusola, through on goal, screwed the ball wide of the post. 

The visitor’s first attempt was provided by Josh Walters, but his attempt didn’t trouble Alfie Fittall. 

Around the half-hour mark, TJ Grimes hooked the ball wide of the target. 

Then about a minute later, Tom Wiles’ powerful strike bounced off the corner of the crossbar. 

At the other end, Alfie Fittall did well to grab the ball after the shot was deflected off a Rangers defender.  

Just seconds later, Mansfield’s Josh Nicholls fired the ball just wide of the upright. 

Mr Tingey booked Jacob Stubbs after impeding James McAvoy.  

The game-changing moment came on 43 minutes when Gabriel Cuthbert was sent off after pulling over Joseph Grant in the box. 

Josh Walters then stepped up and belted the ball into the top right-hand corner. Half-time: 0-1. 

Both dugouts blew over during the interval after players and staff had moved away. 

Tom Wiles made way for Nkhai Majesty for the commencement of the second-half. 

A ball into the Mansfield box resulted in a clash of heads, which left defender Jacob Stubbs coming off worse and in need of some treatment.  

As the R’s looked for an equaliser, on 56 minutes, Rico Kennedy got through the Mansfield defence, but Milla Shore came off his line to grab the ball. 

Four minutes or so later, after being set-up by Josh Cappin, danger-man Josh Walters shot over the bar. 

Three changes were made around the 64-minute mark, which saw the introduction of Kemuel Edouard-Marisson, Kalen Brunson and Reyess Gnanalingam, at the expense of Gabriel Oluwabusola, Will Whitehead and the No.2 trialist, respectively. 

Alfie Fittall had begun to intermittently advance 40 yards or so, to support his outfield team-mates. 

Josh Walters got into a good position, but his shot was aimed directly at the R’s keeper. 

After substitute Reyess Gnanalingam had knocked the ball to Rico Kennedy inside the box, the Rangers winger shot over the bar. 

Leon Scarlett replaced Rico Kennedy after 76 minutes. 

A superb ball from Kalen Brunson picked out Kemuel Edouard-Marisson, who then let fly from close range, which brought out an outstanding save from Milla Shore. 

After the ball had been given away from a free kick, the Rangers keeper did well to stick out a leg and deny Josh Walters adding a second goal.  

Into added time and after substitute Kalen Brunson was shown a yellow card for a heavy challenge on TJ Grimes, the resulting free kick was hit over towards Bobby Hassall at the back-post. 

His header was initially kept out by Alfie Fittall, but the ball ended up in the net after coming off a Rangers player. 

Mr Tingey blew the final whistle shortly after. 

Steve Russell