QPR youngsters bow out of FA Youth Cup at the hands of Burnley
QPR under-18s (0) 0
Burnley under-18s (1) 2 Vaughan 45+2’, Campbell 47’
QPR were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup at the fourth round stage after falling to a 2-0 loss against Burnley at Loftus Road on Monday night.
Scrappy goals either side of half-time condemned Rangers to defeat as they were unable to build on their dramatic penalty shootout win at Wolves in the last round.
Rangers had plenty of chances to get back into the game throughout the second half, with substitute Rico Kennedy particularly impressive on the right wing, but the focus of Micah Hyde’s side now returns to league action.
A lively start to the game failed to bring a goal for either side, as both prioritised keeping hold of possession and building attacks from deep.
It was the visitors who had the first shot in anger, with lively winger Vernon Masara cutting inside from the left flank and testing Rangers keeper Conor Clark at his near post after 20 minutes.
With Tyler Young – son of former England international Ashley – gliding through midfield, the home side soon began to cause problems of their own.
They made hard work of testing the Burnley goal though, with the first effort on target only arriving on 37 minutes as Jake Leahy fired a shot into the hands of Lewis Forshaw.
Leahy did have a hand in the game’s opening goal, but to his and QPR’s misfortune, it was Burnley who scored it.
After brilliantly bringing a ball down out of the sky, the left back beat one man in his own half before being robbed of possession.
Midfielder Lucas Wane drove into the penalty area before Rohan Vaughan took advantage of the loose ball and found the net.
Burnley doubled their lead moments into the second half as defender Murray Campbell turned home at the back post after QPR had failed to clear a corner.
It was only then that Rangers truly came to life, with half-time substitute Kennedy having a major impact down the right flank.
Youssef Yahyaoui drew the first good save from Forshaw with a shot from the edge of the box, and moments later the keeper reacted well to turn an effort from Kennedy on to the post.
Some brilliant wing play from Kennedy then set up striker Ridwanullahi Hassan to shoot wide from a glorious opening.
Putman continued to prove a menace in wide areas, dancing beyond Burnley left back Oli Pimlott on more than once occasion, and also working a shooting position in a central area from which he steered wide.
Hassan tried to atone for his miss by setting up Ramy Bouhiaoui down the QPR left, but the substitute lacked conviction in his effort when faced by Forshaw.
With those chances coming and going without yielding a goal, belief in a comeback started to fade and Burnley saw out the tie to secure a trip to either Bristol City or Charlton in the next round.
