RICKY RED CARDED BUT POMPEY PICKED OFF

Rangers’ under 18’s were back in Youth Alliance Cup action this weekend. After struggling so far in this competition a win against Portsmouth on Saturday was a must if they were to retain any hope of qualifying for the knock out stage.

A clutch of injuries meant Joe Gallen was forced to shuffle the pack for the trip to the South Coast. Chris Goodchild continued in goal behind a back four of Billy Coyne, Karl Yelland, Aaron Goode and Alex Sethi.

Ramon Rose, Matt O’Brien and Lee Brown lined up in midfield alongside Dean Parrett, who was making his first start at this level after his off-the-bench debut last week. Upfront Ricky Sappleton was paired with recent signing James Foulkes.

Fourteen year old prodigy and England under 16’s international, Parrett, was instrumental in helping Rangers  open the scoring, his quick free kick released Rose and a good cross for Sappleton saw The Hitman put the ball in the net for the fourth time this season.

Parrett continued to prove a menace from set pieces and forced a good save from the Pompey ‘keeper shortly before the R’s doubled their lead.

Brown’s corner found its way to defender Goode via a poor clearance and he made no mistake with a simple header to make it 2-0.

After looking comfortable for the first hour Rangers were reduced to ten men when a moment of madness from Sappleton saw him dismissed for pushing one of the Portsmouth players in the face after a foul.

Despite the extra man it took another twenty minutes for Portsmouth to find the net, and Rangers ten men hung on in the closing minutes to take the victory.

The win moves us up to fourth in the Group One table while Portsmouth fall to sixth. The two other group fixtures this weekend saw Brentford win away at Wycombe by two goals to nil whilst Yeovil humbled visitors Plymouth 5-1.

The group stage continues next week when Wycombe Wanderers visit Harlington. The Chairboys are one place above us in the table and another win will be needed to keep the chase for qualification going.

QPR team: Goodchild, Coyne, Goode, Yelland, Sethi (Arthur), Rose, Parrett, O’Brien, Brown, Sappleton, Foulkes