Sunday May 5th
Wolves 1 Q.P.R. 1
   
J.Lescott P.Bruce
   

The last game of the season and a chance to put an end to the most depressing and miserable season in living memory. Traveling up to Wolves the pressure was off and it was time to just sit back and enjoy a game. Many fans turned up in fancy dress.

On arrival at the ground some R's fans were playing the bagpipes whilst others were dressed as Dennis the Menace, a gorilla, the bloke from scream and many other costumes were on view. Whilst queuing for an under cooked burger I saw Tracy dressed as a ghost, on the back of her and her kids costumes read the following "We are the ghosts of mergers past, Brentford 1967".

Yes the merger with Wimbledon was the main topic of conversation and many supporters had writing on their t-shirts showing their opposition to the proposed merger.

The Rangers fans were loud and gave the team a huge ovations as they came onto the field.

Holloway made a few changes to the side that lost last week. Karl Ready, Peter Crouch, Paul Bruce and Terry Mcflynn all came into the side as the expense of Warren, Perry, Pacquette and Bignot.

Rangers started quite well passing the ball around and Leon Knight seemed to enjoy himself in a pressure free match. Wolves had two early chances, one Andy Sinton shot curled just wide of the corner flag and a couple of corners almost brought a goal. Rangers did have a few chances though, Leon Knight fired wide with a great shot when we all thought he was going to score and then Karl Ready met Paul Bruces corner but his header was cleared off the line.

We were not playing brilliant but looked better than Wolves and the R's fans were making all the noise trying to enjoy the last game of the season and make it clear that a merger with Wimbledon was not what we wanted. Both aims seemed to be achieved.

Still it wouldn't be an away game if we didn't concede a sloppy goal and it soon came. Harper seemed to be fouled after a corner but nothing was given and a ball back into the box found Lescott who's header crossed the line before Harper could get a hold of the ball. A typically poor goal to give away close to half time.

Thankfully though we didn't give up and continued to play some decent stuff going forward mostly through Leon Knight. Second half started much the same with Crouch going close with a header which was saved before Leon Knight was kicked one time to many and had to be taken off.

Wolves missed an amazing chance as Branch found himself clean through and went round the keeper before falling over the ball and shooting at Harper much to our amusement. We finally got a goal back and what a cracker it was. A free kick from 25 yards and Paul Bruce lined it up and hit a screamer of a goal into the bottom corner. The Rangers fans celebrated as if it was the winning goal in a cup final but it was good to see such excellent team spirit.

Jermaine Darlington almost scored a brilliant winner after a good run and curling shot which flew jut wide. Wolves then brought on goalkeeper Mike Stowell for his last game with the club. He received a huge ovation from the home fans and Rangers fans seemed confused by this and joined in the cheers as if we had scored a goal.

Rangers fans were in fine voice signing "We're White, we're blue song, we're in division two QPR, QPR" and "Que Sara sara, whatever will be will be, we're going to LDV, Que sara sara". Quite a lot of anti merger stuff, We hate Chris Wright he's a ... well it rhymed with Punt and stick your rugby/merger up your arse and no surrender to the judas Wright. It was a lot louder by the bar at half time but it may be because I am old fashioned but I prefer to sit behind the goal at away games, always creates more noise under a roof.

Back to the game and Crouch went close again with a header as Alvin Bubb and Alex Higgins came on for their debuts. Higgins made an immediate impression with a crunching tackle and showed some amazing determination in the time he was on. Higgins almost set up a late winner when his corner was headed goal bound by Crouch and Chris Plummer missed a great chance as he flicked it straight at the keeper.

So a 1-1 draw was how it finished and all the players came over to throw shirts into the Rangers end and show their appreciation for our support. Alex Higgins was going mad, celebrating the fact that he is a footballer by the look of it but great to see. Leaving the ground a few fans had tears in their eyes, the depression of relegation was lifted for a few hours as we enjoyed an away day for once but the harsh reality of what awaits us next August has yet to sink in with most of us.

Players Ratings

13. Lee Harper : Should have done better with the goal but didn't have much more to do. 6/10

3. Ian Baraclough : Decent performance, almost tripped over the ball as he walked off. 6/10

17. Plummer : Defended well and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. 6/10

5. Karl Ready: Probably his last game for the club, gave his all as he always does. 6/10

22. Darlington : Better going forward and almost scored a screamer near the end 7/10

14. Leon Knight : Very skillful and out most creative player. 7/10

27. Stuart Wardley : Like Ready will always give his all and had a decent game in midfield. 6/10

35. Terry Mcflynn : Solid yet unspectacular debut. Always looked for the ball and tried to keep things simple. Is worth keeping on as he has the potential to improve 7/10

26. Peter Crouch : Last game of the season and probably his last for the club and he had a decent game 6/10

36. Andy Thomson : Didn't really do a lot and was taken off. 5/10

Subs

Mark Perry : Came on for the injured Knight and did ok. 6/10

Alvin Bubb : Looked lively up front with bundles of energy and pace. 6/10

Alex Higgins : worked very hard when he came on and became an instant hit with the supporters after that tackle.