Hat-trick hero Antonio German
Antonio German hit a hat-trick, as QPR Under-16s produced a five-star show to thrash Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Despite Steve Gallen admitting that his team were second best at the start of both halves, Rangers ran out worthy 5-1 winners at Harlington.
Brighton dominated the opening minutes of the first half, forcing Liam O'Brien into two smart saves.
Buoyed by their reprieve, Rangers settled down thereafter and took the lead on 13 minutes, when Michael Wright headed home after Cyrus Sylvan-Vanterpool had cleverly nodded the ball back into his path.
German opened his account for the afternoon seven minutes later, when his flicked header from a Taylor Morgan cross deceived the Seagulls' keeper.
Brighton once again started the second half in determined fashion, but as in the first period, they failed to find a way through the resolute Rangers defence.
The R's were restricted to counter attacks at best, but their improved display paid dividends midway through the half when substitute Tashan Jordan's 40-yard run culminated with a pin-point cross, which German swept home in style.
Brighton pulled a goal back shortly afterwards, but Myles Tang restored Rangers three goal advantage almost immediately; heading a Terry Smith corner in at the near post.
Myles Tang
It was left to German to have the final say, completing his hat-trick by heading in Max Ehmer's cross at the far post, to the delight of manager Steve Gallen.
"I was pleasantly surprised with the final score and in all honesty it probably didn't reflect the amount of possession they had at times, especially at the start of both halves when they were by far the better team.
"We're getting a pretty settled team together now and the understanding between them has improved and our performances have got better as a result.
"We scored a couple of great goals from moves we have been working on in training, so it's nice to see an end product and the boys taking all the information we're giving them on board.''
