Full-time: Chelmsford City 0-2 QPR XI
Chelmsford City were narrowly beaten by a QPR XI in a competitive pre-season friendly at the EMJ Community Stadium.
Both sides started brightly in the Essex heat, with Jack Barham striking the woodwork early on and QPR forward Rohan Vaughan flashing a shot just wide of Chris Haigh’s goal. Vaughan made no mistake moments later and turned home Lorent Talla’s dangerous delivery to open the scoring for the visitors.
City looked for a quick response and nearly found one through Kai Corbett, but goalkeeper Joel Halliday made another sharp save to keep his side’s lead intact after denying Taylor Clark earlier in the half.
Similarly to Tuesday night’s 0–0 draw with Brentwood Town, Angelo Harrop made wholesale changes at the break, with only Joe Grimwood and Taylor Clark remaining on the pitch for the second half.
The second period was a more low-key affair, though Trialist A, who replaced Haigh in goal, made a fine stop in the 57th minute to keep out a long-range effort. However, he could do little about a powerful strike from distance by the visitors in stoppage time, which sealed the result for QPR.
Despite the sweltering conditions, the match began at a high intensity, with Barham having two good chances in the 3rd and 4th minutes. He first headed just wide from a Ricky Holmes corner before hitting the post from a tight angle.
Vaughan had QPR’s first real opportunity in the 5th minute when he cut inside and curled a shot which was deflected behind for a corner by Kian Ronan.
City pressed again through Clark, whose volley from the edge of the box forced an excellent save from Halliday.
QPR’s breakthrough came in the 14th minute when Talla’s pinpoint cross bypassed the Clarets defence and found Vaughan at the back post for a simple tap-in.
Corbett, who completed his move to the club earlier this week, came close to netting an equaliser in the 18th minute after linking up nicely with Josh Hedges, but was denied by the in-form Halliday.
Hedges had a chance of his own just before half-time after getting on the end of Barham’s unselfish cross, but the QPR defence did enough to deny him a clear strike on goal.
At the restart, Harrop introduced several first-teamers and academy players, including Ben Tompkins, Josh Castiglione, Lester Ward, Jett Murphy and Kai Torres. Several trialists also featured in the second period.
Opportunities were limited after the break, but QPR went close again midway through the half, forcing a strong save from Trialist A. The visitors eventually added a second goal with the last kick of the game, when a Hoops trialist impressively found the net from range.
City now turn their attention to another friendly away at Maldon & Tiptree on Tuesday evening, before welcoming Brackley Town to the EMJ Community Stadium next Saturday. Buy your tickets for next weekend’s game here.
Chelmsford City first half starting XI: Haigh (GK); Ronan, Grimwood, Longe-King, Barbrook; Odusanya, Clark; Holmes, Hedges, Corbett; Barham.
Chelmsford City second half starting XI: Trialist A (GK); Castiglione, Tompkins, Grimwood (Tassell 64’), Ward; Clark (Camina 50’), Trialist B, Trialist C; Murphy, Torres, Trialist D.
Attendance: 575
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