QPR must feel a little hard done by with this result, having dominated much of the second half but without delivering the goods to reflect that control. Our side will have played better and lost, but all credit to the players – and to hat-trick man Morgan Bates in particular – for coming away with this creditable result against a decent opposition.
Our squad composition and substitutions reflected careful game management to allow a number of the team to get match play before the U18s PDL Cup Semi-Final at Luton on Wednesday. No places for Tom Woodward or Dan Watts this evening, so there were opportunities for Harlan Perry and Milo Robinson in midfield. Iestyn Jones took the captain’s armband. Aimar Govea was in the stand, although not ready to return just yet after his injury troubled loan spell with Girona B.
We set up as 4-3-3, although it was a fluid formation that had Harlan Perry operating deep in midfield.
Line-up: Joe Collins; Carter Heywood (s – Billy Clarke 46m), Iestyn Jones (captain), Blair McKenzie, Callum Deacon; Harlan Perry (s – Bobo Evans 62m), Milo Robinson (s – Bobby Lewis 46m), Yori Griffith; Josh Pescatore, Morgan Bates, Caleb Demery (s – Alfie Jones 67m).
Unused sub: Tom Wright (g/k)
For QPR, the truncated player names in the teamsheet were 7 Philip Hassan and 9 Ridwan Hassan.
Not too many chances for either side in a competitive first half, although QPR’s Philip Hassan did strike the post from distance after just 2 minutes, Carter Heywood doing well to block a further shot from the rebound. Bates had already lofted a shot over before heading home from a Perry cross only to be ruled out. In the Swans goal, Joe Collins couldn’t hold onto a high cross and the ball slipped through his hands into the net, but fortunately the offside flag had gone up. Iestyn Jones had a strong header saved from a corner but the sides were well-matched at the interval. We were neat, although perhaps missing the thrust normally provided by Watts and Woodward.
At half-time Heywood and Robinson were replaced by Billy Clarke and Bobby Lewis. Billy slotted in at right back, got booked almost immediately, then switched to the left wing when Caleb Demery came off the pitch. Josh Pescatore dropped to right back as we regrouped with further substitutions. QPR were looking more threatening and it was something of a surprise when Rangers keeper Warren spilled a Clarke cross for Morgan Bates to snap up on 56 minutes to put the Swans into a 1-0 lead.
Blair McKenzie made a cracking saving tackle at the other end immediately afterwards, but QPR weren’t to be denied – O’Brien driving home on 63 minutes after we were caught out and opened up by a long ball over the top that wasn’t dealt with.
While our younger substitutes were finding their feet, QPR took control and we were under the cosh for an extended period. Collins saved a strong shot from O’Brien, but Rangers couldn’t convert their domination into clear chances. In an isolated break, Morgan Bates stretched to reach a Pescatore cross but couldn’t keep his shot down.
Rangers somehow lost their way and their discipline, right back Friel needlessly tugging back Bates which allowed Pescatore to drive at goal from a free kick that was deflected wide. Pescatore’s subsequent corner was cleanly headed home by Bates to put Swansea back in front on 83 minutes. Into added time, Bates was tripped inside the area and decisively struck home the resulting penalty to give the Swans an unlikely but welcome 3-1 win.
Aside from his hat-trick, Morgan Bates impressed once more with his hold-up play and ability to relieve pressure off colleagues. Harlan Perry had a good hour, although it looked as though he picked up a knock early on – hopefully that won’t rule him out of Wednesday’s U18s match. The rest of the side worked hard to stay in the match to deliver the result.
For QPR, managed by Anthony Hayes, midfielders Pearman and Swedish recruit Alemayehu caught the eye.