RICKY FROM THE SPOT BUT WYCOMBE TOO HOT

Rangers’ under 18’s are all but out of the Youth Alliance Cup following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Wycombe Wanderers.

After last weeks victory against Portsmouth The R’s could settle for nothing less than three points this weekend if we were to retain any hope of progressing to the knock out stages. Joe Gallen made two changes to the side that saw off Pompey and shuffled his pack a little in the process.

Chris Goodchild started in goal with Billy Coyne at right back, Aaron Goode was partnered by Alex Sethi at centre back whilst Lee Brown reverted to his favoured left back spot after starting last week on the wing.

In midfield Ramon Rose played down the right, Dean Parrett and Matt O’Brien were the central duo whilst Louis Howell came in for his first start on the left. Upfront Ricky Sappleton was once again paired with former Tottenham striker, James Foulkes.

After starting well, Rangers found themselves in front after fifteen minutes, Howell cut in from the left and was felled just inside the box, it was so tight that for a while it seemed we only had a free kick, however it soon became clear that a penalty was the decision given and Ricky The Hitman made no mistake from the spot to chalk up his fifth of the season.

Rangers held onto the lead until shortly after the break when a Wycombe corner was bundled home to make it 1-1. Goodchild came for it, got nowhere near and, despite many protests of handball from the R’s players, the goal stood.

The Chairboys' winner came five minutes from time and was actually set up from a Rangers free kick! Brown’s ball found Parrett in space and he absolutely creamed it towards goal, but it hit Sappleton’s chest and from the rebound Wycombe were able to break quickly and slot home against the exposed defence.

The defeat means Rangers are now six points off Brentford in second in the group stage table with two games to play, crucially though The Bee’s have an eleven goal advantage on us, meaning only a mathematical miracle can see us through.

Next week the lads are back in league action though as the travel to face Luton Town. We’ll have a report on that one online next Monday.

QPR team: Goodchild, Coyne, Goode, Sethi, Brown, Rose (Smart), Parrett, O’Brien, Louis Howell (Arthur), Sappleton, Foulkes. Subs not used: Vanterpool