Tommy Hughes netted a hat-trick and Tawanda Chirewa scored once as Town’s U23s came from behind to beat QPR 4-2 at Playford Road this afternoon.

The 21-year-old, who made three sub appearances in cup games for the first team in 2019/20, was handed his first start for the U23s having made his return as a sub in November after 16 months out injured and after turning last week’s 2-0 win at Cardiff’s Town’s way having come off the bench.

QPR, whose side included former Blues midfielder Andre Dozzell, went ahead in the 14th minute from the penalty spot.

However, Town levelled via the Hughes’s first goal in the 34th minute, the midfielder finishing from Tawanda Chirewa’s pass.

Two minutes later, Hughes gave the Blues the lead with his second, rebounding after Matt Ward’s initial shot was saved.

Four minutes after the restart, the visitors levelled, but Chirewa restored the Blues’ lead in the 51st minute with a low shot from the edge of the box, his seventh league goal of the season.

Hughes completed his hat-trick on the hour with a right-footed shot from a Chirewa pass.

The young Blues, who are managed by Kieron Dyer and John McGreal, remain third in Professional Development League Two South.

U23s: Bort, Agbaje, Stewart, Bradshaw, Smith, Alexander, Humphreys, Chirewa, Ward, Hughes, Curtis. Subs: Ridd, Andoh, Siziba, Yengi, Valentine.

Photo: Matchday Images

runningout added 15:05 - Jan 17 rock-on Tommy!!!
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RobITFC added 15:37 - Jan 17 Why Dozzell playing, has he been injured ?
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PortmanTerrorist added 15:52 - Jan 17 What's happened with Yengi to end up on the bench?! This team needs to look at the 1st team and realize our season could end in a month or so and opportunities to play could arise, so well done Tommy, keep this up and you will deserve a shot !
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PhilTWTD added 16:10 - Jan 17 PortmanTerrorist It's a big U23s squad so there is some squad rotation to get everyone games.
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budgieplucker added 16:52 - Jan 17 I wasn't at the match, but saw the impact the lad Hughes had when he came on against Cardiff U23's last week. His short sharp pass and move aggressive style might just fit the McKenna style to a tee. Yengi I have seen a couple of times and despite his height at 6'5” needs to physically do more for me, but to be fair he may be finding his feet being 11,000 miles or such away from home and may need some time to settle in and get to grips with the English game. Other than Yengi we do seem to lack physical strength in the younger ranks but lots of promise - I know some of these lads have just come out of the U18's so room for growing and need for more gym work. But sounds a good result against the hoops.

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Nesspointrunner added 16:55 - Jan 17 Good for Tommy. One to watch.
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Linkboy13 added 17:12 - Jan 17 Dozydell got sent off for QPR the other day not sure if he's allowed to play u23 games.
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