R'S CAN'T TOP HATTERS

A depleted under 18’s side lost 3-1 to Luton on Saturday morning in a game Joe Gallen admits he never expected to win.

Injuries and suspension robbed Gallen of six regular starters for this including Andrew Howell, Danny Maguire and top scorer Ricky Sappleton who is sidelined after his recent red card.

Chris Goodchild started in goal with a back four made up of Billy Coyne, Karl Yelland, Aaron Goode and under 16’s player Michael Wright.

In midfield Louis Howell made his second start of the season along with Matt O’Brien, Harry Smart and Matt O’Connell whilst Chris Arthur and James Foulkes provided the attacking options.

Rangers found themselves two down by the break, a first half penalty from Luton’s Rob Sinclair was followed by a second from Ashley Harrison-Baker just before the interval.

In the second half George Bevan made it three nil to the home side before Matt O’Brien provided Rangers with the consolation with his first goal at this level.

Three other under 16’s players including Cyrus Vanterpool saw action off the bench but Luton’s line up was always going to be too strong for a side this young.

The defeat leaves Rangers in fourth place in the South East Combination table but only two points off Wycombe who are currently top, the win moves Luton up to second place just ahead of Gillingham in third.  

Next week Rangers are on their travels again, this time to face Leyton Orient, who beat Rushden and Diamonds 2-0 on Saturday.
 

QPR: Goodchild, Coyne, Yelland, Goode, Wright, O’Connell, O’Brien, Smart, Howell, Foulkes, Arthur. Subs used: Vanterpool, Springer, Smith.