Match Report v QPR

Much a development side, the R’s still showed glimmers of Football League to overcome The Reds, despite going behind early in the first half. Matty Cooper rifled one in for the hosts before goals from Stephen Duke-McKenna and Alex Ahora settled the score in front of 389 fans.
It must be said that lot of the early possession was for the visitors, but Leighton did well to get a foothold on the counter. Matty Cooper was up with the attack and found himself with the ball on the edge 12 minutes in. Marked tightly, a drop of the shoulder made enough space, and he struck the ball sweetly with his left. It was a rasping effort that stunned Matteo Salamon in the R’s goal and pinged off the post in the top left corner.
QPR utilised catalysts Ady Alfa, Stephen Duke-McKenna and Faysal Bettache to get inside yet the Town defence stood strong – Luke Pyman performed the first of several great recovery tackles on ‘20.
Up the other end, Lewis Toomey could’ve made it 2-0. A cruel combination of turf and touch took the ball away from the ex-Berkhamsted man and the keeper gathered easily. Minutes later, the target man would have another go. Ben Spaul’s cross was on a plate, but Toomey headed over.
The second half would end with Town’s greatest fear – a QPR goal. Joe Fitzgerald put an end to a powerful Ady Alfa drive without getting the ball and Duke-McKenna was cool from the penalty to level with the last kick of the first half.
Although QPR got one back, Town opened the second half undeterred. Leon Lobjoit hit one straight at the keeper on ’47 after great link up with Jack Harvey and Toomey on the right. A mere two minutes later QPR were back in attack. Duke-McKenna was ever present and flashed wide with Xavi Comas full stretch in the Leighton goal. The Spaniard would be called in to action with a fine stop shortly after – tipping over acrobatically on ’52.
Substitute Dillon De Silva was making waves down the left wing and after a few tries finally bested Joe Fitzgerald. His low cross was a tempting one and was bundled in by fellow substitute Alex Ahora on ’65. The Hoops made it a tricky end for Town as further chances fell to De Silva again late on, yet they’d have to settle for the one goal difference.
A good game all round, QPR were just that different level but offered a great finale to Town’s preseason campaign. Next up for Leighton is Tuesday night’s league opener against newly promoted Stotfold.

Report by Max Bradfield