MATCH PREVIEW | QPR Development Squad (A)

The Greens make the short trip west to face QPRs Development Squad, in the Middlesex senior challenge cup, with Ben Bukowskis side looking to bounce back after a couple of unfortunate defeats. Kick off 7:45pm.

Need to know

Founded: 1882

Nickname: The Hoops

Manager: Paul Furlong

League: Premier League Professional Development League

Stadium: Hanwell Towns Reynolds Field

Capacity: 3000

Hendon

Following the 4-1 league defeat on Saturday at home to Bognor Regis, focus now turns to tonight's challenge against a tough, young crop of QPR development players. The defeat on the weekend was the first in the league in over a month, so there are plenty of positives to take into Wednesday nights encounter.

Going into this fixture The Greens have been hit with a few suspensions, so Hendon boss Ben Bukowski will have to manage his squad carefully with the fixtures coming thick and fast.

Ben touched on this issue in his post-match interview last Saturday, stating his concern that with many players out its going to be difficult. However, it is a huge boost that he has teasedWeve got one through the door, hopefully for Wednesday and Saturday. So, it is hoped the squad will be in a good shape to compete against QPR.

The main positive that came out of Saturday was again the sharpness of Florian Ada. The talented young striker has scored 2 in 2, since he has come back from injury, which will be something he will look to build on this coming Wednesday if he gets the nod.

Opposition

Todays hosts sit 14th in the league, with only 1 win, 4 draws and 2 losses so far.

The Hoops have had a mixed start to their league campaign, starting the 25/26 season with 2 losses in the opening games, but that form soon shifted to keeping a 6-game unbeaten streak going all the way up until the end of December, where they were dismantled by Swansea 4-0.

Despite showing a good run of form, a few of the games were in cup competitions, where they played much weaker sides than themselves. One of those results being an 11-0 thumping of Harefield United in the first round of tonights competition.

The West London outfit participated in a 1-1 score draw with Watford in their last outing, with a brilliant counter-attacking goal, created by skilful 17-year-old Cory Adjetey-Brew, which was expertly tucked away by substitute Gabriel Oluwabusola into the right-hand corner.

Watford were able to strike back immediately, courtesy of backup goalkeeper Charlie Warrens error as a weak shot trickled into the back of the QPR net.

Although QPR pushed for a winner and had a powerful Enis Neziri header saved later in the game, they had to settle for a draw that has improved their form slightly.

Opposition Gaffer

QPR are led by 57-year-old Paul Furlong, who has been in the position of Development Squad manager for over 4 years, after previously leading the u18s side.

Furlong was undoubtedly a fans-favourite at Loftus Road during his playing days, where he enjoyed two separate spells in W12 and was part of their campaign in 03/04 that saw The Hoops win League One. Scoring over 58 goals in 183 appearances, Furlong was one of the key figures that revived the clubs hopes, following their financial struggles in the early 2000s.

Whilst Furlong has experience of playing at the highest level in the Premier League, he started and ended his playing career in non-league, so he knows how to navigate difficult games against lower league opposition as a coach.

After his successful career, Furlong drifted into coaching and returned to QPR in 2012 to initially help the academy. Later, he rose up the coaching ranks and is now in the most senior management position in QPRs academy as manager of the Development Squad.

One to watch

21-year-old goalkeeper Matteo Salamon has been at The Hoops since he was 11, after being scouted in his home borough of Camden as a kid.

The decisive keeper has had an unconventional route; after being born in Brazil he came to England and made his way through grassroots football all the into the QPR academy.

Since then, Matteo has gone from strength to strength through all the youth levels in the academy. More recently he has gained invaluable experience at non-league level, with impressive spells in non-league with Uxbridge, Hampton & Richmond Borough and even a short stint with us last year.

Matteo was brought to us, as an emergency loan keeper and played 10 games during his spell with us. Making his debut in a 1-0 away loss to Lewes, Matteos only win for the club came in a game against Chichester City. In a difficult period for the club, he worked tirelessly to improve our defence

With his tall frame, Matteo commands his box very well and is able to use his agility to make any type of save at any moment in a game. A key strength of his is his distribution, which is an important facet of the way Paul Furlong wants his teams to play.

We wish Matteo the best for the rest of his career and we look forward to seeing and playing Matteo again in this fixture.

Written by Kyle Bodker