QPR (U21s) 2-1 Millwall (U21s)

QPR (U21s) 2-1 Millwall (U21s)

Professional Development League

Tuesday 5th March 2024

Every so often a game at U21s level can be refreshing to watch and this was certainly one of those.

On a cold night where the dropping temperature made it feel bitingly cold by the full-time whistle, the football on show was decent and the intensity within the game was really good from start to finish.

QPR got the win thanks to two first half goals by Joseph Ajose and Micah Anthony before Nana Boateng’s penalty for Millwall early in the second half, but what was good about the game was there was an edge to things. It was feisty at times. It was competitive. There was lots of tenacity, physicality and high work-rate on show and it was tight and tense right until the end.

Both QPR and Millwall are amongst the better teams in the southern section of the Professional Development League (one look at the league table shows that) and with home advantage, the R’s were probably the better team overall in the first half and deserved their lead.

Having started well, they took the lead around the midway point in the half when Raff Pedder whipped in a sweet cross from the left which was pinpoint for Joseph Ajose who headed in at the near-post. Simple and clinical.

Aside from a spell of territorial pressure a few minutes either side of the half-hour mark, Millwall didn’t offer too much - Matteo Salamon in goal for QPR certainly didn’t have a save to make as the Lions were kept at bay by a defence organised and marshalled very well by Henry Hawkins, and then only a minute or so before half-time QPR made it 2-0 thanks to a spectacular effort by Micah Anthony who cut in from the left, looked up, picked his spot and then unleashed one straight into the top!

BANG! BOOM! Goal of the Month material - nothing the ‘keeper could do about it as it was just a top class strike and one of those where you smile and soak up the applause knowing you’ve just done very well indeed.

If the first half was decent, the second half proved to be even better as Millwall came out looking more focused and quite quickly pulled a goal back when Nana Boateng converted from the penalty spot after the QPR ‘keeper fouled him in his efforts to claim a drilled ball into his goalmouth.

That goal set the tone for an absorbing last 30 minutes with all the qualities that I mentioned at the start of this piece.

QPR created a few bits as they sought to double their lead - Alfie Tuck went close with one shot that caught a wicked deflection and had George Evans scrambling across to the other side of his goal to keep it out, but as the game entered the last 20-25 minutes, Millwall really started to come on strong at the other end.

Trent Rendall made a massively important goal-line clearance from one close-range attempt as the Lions came VERY close to making it 2-2, soon after that Henry Hawkins made a vital clearance inside his own six-yard box, whilst Matteo Salamon was also called into actions a couple of times with QPR hanging on as it all got a bit tense and nervous.

A fourth goal looked possible; whether it be Millwall pushing that hard and finding it themselves or QPR catching them on the break, and in the end the busier ‘keeper in the 5-6 minutes of injury-time was George Evans because he made two big saves.

The first was at his near-post from Micah Anthony’s effort after scampering back into position when the R’s broke in a counter-attack that was three-on-one at one point, then his second save right at the very end was top quality because Raff Pedder danced his way into the box, shouted ‘LEAVE IT’, pulled the trigger and was only denied by a full-stretch fingertip save which was clawed away from the top corner for which the ball was heading.

And that was that - no fourth goal on the night, but what a refreshing game with such a good intensity!

Individually, there were lots of good players in a game of high standards for U21s football and I thought the best three players overall were Henry Hawkins and Trent Rendall for QPR and George Evans for Millwall with his top class saves!

Henry Hawkins won everything in the first half, dominated in the air, was vocal, good with his feet - both in playing with it and clearances, and he showed all the qualities you’d want in a centre-back. His reading, understanding and anticipation was all good and, having not watched him play before, it’s not a surprise to check his name on Google and find out he’s been out on loan and got vital experience in mens football already. Being 6ft6 (just about the tallest player on the pitch) is good for those managers who’ll see height as all-important, and the clearance he made inside his own box in the second half was impressive too. Good decision-making throughout the game and I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on his career from this point onwards.

Trent Rendall, also at the back, was quiet in the first half but really came into his own when QPR were put under intense pressure in the second half. To say he was carrying a niggle from about the hour mark onwards (his own words) was even more remarkable because he was epitomised the art of being a good defender by being full-blooded, physical, solid, committed all the time (especially in his tackling) and putting his body on the line - quite literally in the case of his goal-line clearance which ultimately helped QPR win. I despair that he got booked for his hard (but fair) tackle - especially because I know if he made the same one in a first team environment, managers would absolutely love it, but even on a yellow card, his commitment, attitude and application to make two more solid tackles was quality. Nothing but huge respect for his performance and a worthy winner of any Man Of The Match award.

Then, up at the other end, it’s hard not to have respect for Millwall’s ‘keeper, George Evans. He couldn’t do anything about the two goals (brilliant assist and headed finish, followed by just a brilliant strike) but he gave a good account of himself. His kicking was good, when he did shank the one near the end which led to the shot from halfway which swerved away and stayed in play, he redeemed himself by getting back quickly, recovering, and then making a vital save. His other two saves I’ve already mentioned were good too in different respects as well. It’s hard for ‘keepers playing for just one spot and trying to find an opening/opportunity somewhere but he can be really pleased with his performance as it’s the type that wins admirers and anyone who saw this game will have been impressed by him and how reliable he looked. A good ‘keeper! Bravo!

There were other good players as well. I’ve seen Nana Boateng play in the past and he found pockets of space really well at times in this game, George Walker was decent at full-back, looked sharp and had quite a bit of success in one-on-one situations when he pushed high and looked threatening, Henry Hearn put in a right old shift up top for Millwall and worked tirelessly until the end (showing effort levels that can only be applauded and if he does that all the time then what a player he could be). For QPR, Raff Pedder showed good feet a few times; tidy and technical, got a brilliant assist (lovely cross) and he’s a baller alright with the potential to have such a positive impact in games. If you look for a spark or flash of quality, he’s got it in his locker and it’s obvious to see it.

Alfie Tuck wearing the No.6 shirt was decent and made some good contributions including a few clearances at good times, and Harry Murphy was alright in midfield doing the work which sometimes doesn’t always get the credit it deserves. He picks up good positions and seems decent and it’s easy to pick up on good little things.

Overall, a very good game between two good teams at this level, plenty learned by myself and a good way to spend a Tuesday night.

A special mention to Hanwell Town for having a double decker bus with padded seating in their ground. It’s bloody fantastic and it gave me a quality view of Micah Anthony’s sumptuous strike just before half-time!