FOOTBALL: RYAN Haynes made his injury comeback as a second half substitute Coventry City Under 23s 1-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers.
Haynes, who picked up a knee injury during the Sky Blues’ opening pre-season fixture at Sutton United, came on in the 60th minute of the Under 23s Professional Development League encounter.
Kwame Thomas appeared for the Sky Blues for the first time since returning from his loan spell at Sutton while Jordan Ponticelli also featured up front.
Tom Davies and Dominic Hyam both got valuable game time too.
It took 17 minutes for the first meaningful attempt on goal to be executed. Chris Camwell forced QPR’s keeper into a low save to his left.
The home side took the lead of 34 minutes when a cross from the right by Kakay was spilled by Corey Addai, and the ball dropped to QPR striker Shodipo to put the home side into the lead.
Leading as the second half started, QPR looked to extend their lead when Kakay almost struck on 54 minutes as Tom Davies cleared the ball from the line.
The Sky Blues started to keep possession well as Haynes replaced Camwell and Tom Bayliss came on for Jordan Shipley, before Bilal Sayoud entered the fray for Ben Stevenson.
Entering the final 15 minutes, Farndon’s side continued to search for an equaliser.
Dion Kelly-Evans, Callum Maycock and Tom Bayliss all had half chances from outside of the box but the goal required proved elusive.
Deep into stoppage time and good work from Haynes released Bayliss, who had been pressing forward at every opportunity.
Breaking into the box, it looked like he would get the chance to test the QPR keeper one last time.
But a strong block closed the door on the opportunity and the Sky Blues were to leave West London emptyhanded.
The Under 23s are next in action on Monday, October 16, when they face Bristol City at the Alan Higgs Centre. Kick off is at 1pm.