QPR Reserves cruised to a 6-0 win over Lewes..mm great!
An Angelo Balanta-inspired QPR Reserves cruised to a 6-0 victory over their Lewes counterparts at a wet and windy Loftus Road.
The Colombian bagged a brace and made the second for Romone Rose who tapped into an empty net. Reserve Manager Gareth Ainsworth added a third before Balanta's brilliance led to his second and Rangers' fourth.
With the game well and truly safe there was just time for Chris Flood to cap off a fine personal performance with a fifth and fine sixth.
For the visit of Lewes, Ainsworth selected himself at right back, whilst also handing starts to first teamers Adam Bolder, Balanta and Samuel Di Carmine.
Jake Cole, returning from injury, started in goal.
Under the watchful eye of Iain Dowie in the stands, the R's started brightly despite the overcast conditions and nearly took an early lead but Rose could only drag his shot wide.
Rangers next shot was on target this time and it was striker Balanta who tested visiting keeper Seb Barton from 20 yards.
Balanta tried again seconds later when, after picking up Rose's infield pass, he jinked his way into the area before firing a left foot shot that needed another smart stop from Barton. From the resultant corner, Ed Harris headed over.
With constant Rangers pressure the deadlock was finally broken just before the half hour mark. Rose escaped down the right, left the Lewes full back for dead, cut back a pass for Balanta who took a touch to steady and switch to his left foot before firing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.
The game settled and began to simmer after the goal with the R's dominating possession, but could only fabricate a few half chances for first Chris Arthur, and then Captain Joe Oastler, to show for their efforts.
However, in first half injury time, Rangers added second. Lewes won a free-kick on the edge of the R's penalty area and, in clearing the danger, substitute Flood was set free down the right. His brilliant early cross found an unmarked Balanta who took the ball into the box, rounded keeper Barton who managed to get a touch to the ball and knock it away from the forward. Unfortunately for him, he knocked it into the path of Rose who tapped into an empty net.
The second half opened with a bang and it was the gaffer himself who got the third. Good trickery from Femi Ilesanmi to get out of danger allowed the left back to feed Flood who turned and sent a searching ball out to Ainsworth on the right. The winger cut inside, jinked past another defender before accurately firing past Barton.
Flood, who'd been impressing since coming on, was almost rewarded for his efforts but his overhead kick landed on top of the net instead of inside it.
Minutes later, the moment of the match. Brilliant build up play all over the park, in particular involving Bolder and Balanta, saw the former send an excellent ball into the feet of the latter on the edge of the six-yard box, who dragged the ball away from the despairing dive of the defender, swivelled round towards goal and picked his spot into the roof of the net.
Rangers were strolling towards the finishing line and a one-two between Flood and Damiano Tommasi in the area, saw the former Italy international curl an effort wide of the left and post.
With quarter of an hour left to play, Balanta should've sealed his hat-trick. A wonderful cross-field pass from Arthur found him in space and as he set himself he forced the keeper to commit one way but couldn't squeeze his shot through the retreating Lewes defence. His follow up was even worse, flying high over the bar.
Rangers did add a fifth and it was the hardworking Flood who held off a defender after picking up Bolder's through ball before sliding a shot under the onrushing Barton to score a well-deserved goal.
Not content with just one, Flood then let rip from the edge of the box to make the score 6-0 - and see the R's well and truly high and dry.
QPR Reserves: Cole, Ainsworth, Oastler, Ilesamni, Harris, Bolder, Balanta, Rose (Maguire), Arthur, Di Carmine (Flood), Tommasi.
Subs: Crowther.
Lewes Reserves: Barton, Hall, Storrie, Beda, Sappleton, Sackey, Wheeler, Elliott (Foreman), Koroma (Rivers), Fenelon, Bell.
Subs: Essam, Osborn.
