Match Report: Sheff Wed U21s 2, QPR Dev Squad 6

QPR Development Squad came from two goals down to thrash Sheffield Wednesday Under-21s 6-2 on Tuesday afternoon.

A brace from full-back Jaiden Putman, along with goals from Daniel Bennie, Jaylan Pearman, Philip Sanyaolu and Esquerdinha, secured the points in emphatic fashion.

Rangers arrived full of confidence following Thursday night’s 3-1 comeback win over Burnley U21s in the Premier League Cup, knowing that victory here would lift them into the top half of the Professional Development League.

However, it was the hosts who struck first. Devlan Moses beat the offside trap before slotting past an outstretched Charlie Warren to give Wednesday the lead just six minutes in.

The R’s pushed for an equaliser, with Ridwan Hassan going closest when his fierce strike was deflected narrowly wide of the left post.

But Wednesday soon doubled their advantage. William Grainger converted from close range with just over 20 minutes played.

The R’s rallied after falling two behind and piled on the pressure. Esquerdinha rifled a shot against the left post from a tight angle, while Hassan saw a well-placed effort smothered by goalkeeper Thomas Streets.

The R’s were to get a reward for their efforts though, as Kaleb Dyke’s pinpoint corner found Bennie who nodded a header past Streets and pulled one back before the break.

Rangers even managed to create one more chance before the half, with Jake Coomes firing narrowly over from close range.

The second half began with no substitutions, and Esquerdinha immediately tested Streets with a powerful drive. Pearman also went close on 53 minutes, seeing his strike saved as the R’s looked to level the game.

Moments later, Rangers’ persistence paid off. A superb team move ended with Pearman neatly finishing Coomes’ low cross in the 54th minute to bring the match level.

The R’s then looked to the bench, withdrawing Coomes, Hassan and captain Dyke just before the hour mark and introducing Putman, Sanyaolu and Alex Aoraha. Isak Alemayehu was replaced eight minutes later, with Archie O’Brien joining the action.

Pearman almost grabbed a second as we entered the final 20 minutes, but Streets produced a brilliant point-blank save to deny him. 

At the other end, Timmy Akindileni made a vital last-ditch tackle to stop Oghenemarho Akpobi, who was poised to shoot inside the box.

Rangers' third goal eventually came with the game entering the final 10 minutes. Putman broke the defensive line, dummied coolly, and sent Streets the wrong way to give the R’s the lead for the first time.

And he wasn’t finished. Moments later, fellow substitute O’Brien teed him up again, and Putman fired home to make it 4-2 — his second of the afternoon — effectively sealing the game with three minutes remaining.

From there, Rangers were rampant. Substitute Sanyaolu capitalised on a defensive mishap to pounce on a rebound and add a fifth as the match ticked into the 90th minute.

With only two minutes added on, it looked like that would be that — but Esquerdinha had other ideas. Picking up the ball on the halfway line, João went on a stunning solo run before unleashing a brilliant effort beyond a helpless Streets and into the far post to make it six.

A minute later, the final whistle blew - much to the relief of the hosts and the jubilation from the travelling R’s camp, who secured a 6-2 win at a freezing Sheffield Wednesday training ground.

QPR Dev Squad move up to 10th and into the top half of the Professional Development League, just two points off the play-offs. They are back in action on Friday night when they host Stockport County U21s at the Oliver Connell & Son Community Stadium (kick-off 7pm).

QPR: Warren, Adamson, Esquerdinha, Smith, Akindileni, Alemayehu (O’Brien 66), Dyke (Aoraha 58), Bennie, Pearman, Coomes (Putman 58), Hassan (Sanyaolu 58).

Images: John Shirras