| 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.