QPR Development Squad – Premier League Cup Winners after a 3-1 Win Over Brentford 

Premier League Cup Final 

Team: Salamon, Putman, Da Silva, McDowell, Wilkie, Tuck, Dillon, Morgan, Bennie, Murphy, Sutton 

Subs: Halliday, McCann, Petrie, O’Brien, Vaughan 

After disposing of Burnley in the semi-final, Paul Furlong’s side then faced Brentford at Loftus Road. 

With many fans still taking their seats, the first shot of the evening was provided by Harry Murphy on five minutes. 

And the R’s took the lead four minutes later following a move involving Harry Murphy and Emmerson Sutton. The latter’s cross found Kieran Morgan in the box, who proceeded to drill the ball into the bottom corner.  

However, the visitors equalised after 14 minutes when an unmarked Benjamin Fredrick headed home from a corner. 

A minute or so later, Daniel Bennie was grounded for some time and in need of some attention. 

The Bees almost took the lead on 18 minutes. After Matteo Salamon had pushed away Benjamin Arthur’s header on the goal-line, the R’s keeper then made an outstanding save, tipping the ball over the bar from Max Dickov’s powerful follow-up. 

Daniel Bennie wasn’t able to continue, and Kieran Petrie came on to replace him.  

The hosts than began to take hold of the game and on the half-hour mark, a great ball dissected two Brentford defenders to find Kieran Petrie. But the R’s substitute couldn’t quite control the ball from the corner of the six-yard box. 

Jaiden Putman shot wide of the target a minute later. 

Mr Eley showed the Bees head coach, Neil MacFarlane, a yellow card on 36 minutes. 

Rangers re-took the lead a couple of minutes later, when Alfie Tuck’s corner found Harry Murphy, who then superbly smashed the ball into the net. 

The kick-off was delayed as Alfie Tuck was down by the dug-out being treated by the physio. 

Ten added minutes were indicated and three minutes in, a ball into the box resulted in the Brentford keeper and two QPR players being floored.  

And a couple of minutes later, Alfie Tuck curled his 25-yard strike just wide of the upright. Half-time: 2-1.

The R’s were straight out the blocks for the second-half. Jack McDowell headed just over from Harry Murphy’s corner and minutes later, the Rangers captain fired his free kick just wide of the target. 

On 53 minutes, Emmerson Sutton’s pass to Harry Murphy on the edge of the box, resulted in him turning, before firing narrowly wide of the post.  

Mr Eley booked Benjamin Fredrick following a naughty challenge on Kieran Morgan. 

After some patient build-up play, the ball was played to Kieran Petrie in space, but the R’s winger mis-cued his attempt on goal.  

At the other end, Ashley Hay belted the ball over the crossbar. 

There was a terrific atmosphere from a crowd approaching the 8,000-mark. Amongst the array of songs, there was also a chant for Paul Furlong who turned round to clap the R’s fans. 

The home side came very close to extending their lead just after the hour mark. Kieran Morgan seized upon a loose ball before setting up Kieran Petrie, whose shot was initially parried way by Julian Eyestone, before somehow keeping it out from Cian Dillon close to the goal-line. 

For the Bees, a couple of minutes later, a widish strike forced a flying save from Matteo Salamon.  

The Brentford captain, Ethan Brierley was cautioned on 71 minutes.  

The away side continued to look for an equaliser, and Iwan Morgan, in space, shot wide of the goal.  

The pendulum swung back in favour of the hosts and as Emmerson Sutton stormed upfield, he was cynically pushed over by, I think, Vonnte Willams and not surprisingly, was shown a yellow card.  

The R’s winger was fouled again on 80 minutes and just before Harry Murphy took the free kick, Alfie Tuck made way for Archie O’Brien. 

A few minutes later, Kieran Petrie was the next player to be cautioned. 

Rangers sealed the win in the 90th minute after Emmerson Sutton had won a free kick. Harry Murphy stepped up and crossed into the box, where Alex Wilkie was well-placed to head home at the Loft End. Wild scenes on two sides of the ground followed. 

Four minutes into added time, Paul Furlong introduced Rohan Vaughan and Noah McCann at the expense of Joao Da Silva and Cion Dillon respectively.  

The celebrations intensified at the final whistle and hobbling onto the pitch to join in was Daniel Bennie. 

Before collecting their winner’s medals, the R’s players clapped their opponents, but this was not reciprocated, the Bees players just stood there glaring! 

Silverware! A great night to end the season. 

Well done to Paul Furlong, his squad and everyone connected to the QPR Development Squad. 

Steve Russell 

(The above photo was taken by Ian Randall who kindly gave me permission to use it)