QPR UNDER 18s produced a scintillating display to beat Barnet 6-1 on Saturday afternoon at the Bees’ ‘Hive’ training ground, with Conor Hubble grabbing himself a first-half hat-trick.
It has been a mixed start to the U18 Professional Development League Two (South) campaign for Steve Gallen’s men, with defeats to Charlton (2-3) and Millwall (1-2) in the first two fixtures before a recent victory (1-0) over Cardiff.
Rangers continued where they left off against the Bluebirds and stormed out of the blocks against Barnet, nearly taking the lead on 32 seconds with a David Fitzpatrick strike which cannoned off the post.
Less than a minute later, Peter Skapetis had his effort cleared off the line as QPR went in search of an early goal. And they didn’t have to wait much longer for it.
In the third minute, Hubble’s corner was headed home by Manny Monthe and from this point on, the R’s never looked back.
Controlling the tempo of the game, the visitors doubled their lead moments later with a stunning free-kick from Hubble who curled the ball home from the edge of the area.
Barnet briefly got themselves back into the game in the 15th minute when Jake Downes failed to clear the danger, and the Bees capitalised to make it 2-1.
But any hope the hosts had of building on that strike were dashed within two minutes as Hubble bagged his second of the afternoon to restore Rangers’ two-goal cushion, casually side-footing the ball home from 18 yards.
Hubble completed his hat-trick on the half-hour mark with the goal of the game. After neat play at the back by Rangers, they eventually got the ball to the feet of Hubble and he advanced before slamming home from 25 yards, giving the Barnet keeper no chance.
Five minutes before the end of the first half, there was still time for another QPR goal. This time Fitzpatrick was on hand to slot home Rangers’ fifth of the afternoon following a Skapetis corner.
With the game won, QPR took their foot off the gas in the second half but added a sixth through Fitzpatrick to complete the rout.