QPR’s under 18’s were finally crowned league champions on Saturday morning as Joe Gallen’s side saw off Brighton 2-1 in the last game of the season.

With the sides above us having completed their fixtures last weekend, Rangers knew that a single point would be enough to take the title, as it was we took all three to finish the campaign with four successive victories.  

There was only one change to the side that won at Northampton last weekend, Chris Goodchild was in goal with Billy Coyne, Aaron Goode, skipper Andrew Howell and Lee Brown making up the back four.  Danny Maguire, Kieron St. Aimie, Matt O’Brien and Chris Arthur were in midfield with James Folkes paired with Angelo Balanta upfront.  

Following a goalless first half, and an early disallowed strike from St. Aimie after the break, Rangers finally hit the front around the hour mark when a Balanta strike was deflected home off an unfortunate Albion defender. That looked to be enough to secure the victory but Brighton earned an equaliser as the game moved into stoppage time.

The point was still enough to win the title but Rangers weren’t going to settle for the draw and, straight from kick off, they surged up the other end to restore our lead. Arthur took the ball forward and his cross was finished, once again, by Balanta for his sixth goal of the season and his fourth in consecutive games. 

And with that the game was over and the celebrations could begin, Rangers win the league from Southend by two clear points and no one could deny them this achievement. They have been forced to chase Southend and Gillingham each and every week and, aside from a little slip up at Rushden, have never stopped breathing down their necks. Our congratulations go out to all the lads for this season’s accomplishments.  

Joe Gallen will no doubt be delighted with the win, but I reckon he might be even more pleased to have watched on as many players he has worked through the ranks start to make an impact on the first team.  

Andrew Howell and Ray Jones both made their full senior debuts this season, Patrick Kanyuka got his first decent run in the side whilst Stefan Bailey and Shabazz Baidoo have also been involved at one point or another.  

As Rangers continue to struggle financially it’s fantastic to see good young players start to come through. The hard work is beginning to pay off and hopefully we will continue to see more and more home grown talents at Loftus Road in years to come.  

Well done everyone.

QPR: Goodchild, Coyne, Goode, Howell, Brown, St. Aimie, O’Brien, Maguire, Arthur, Folkes, Balanta. Subs not used: Crowther, Ford, Vanterpool.