The sound of the wind blowing against the stand and mobile phones going off was the only noise around Loftus Road during the minute's silence for the victims of the New York disaster last week as QPR and Port Vale fans paid our respects to that terrible tragedy.

I'll leave others to debate whether games should go ahead or not but I for one was pleased to be at a football match rather than sitting at home worrying about what happens next to the world.

After the well observed minutes silence the game kicked off but the atmosphere was very subdued. Ian Holloway had made a few changes to the team and formation.

We played a 3-4-1-2 formation, which I think suits the players best. Chris Day started in goal whilst Terrell Forbes switched to centre half as Aziz Ben Askar was suspended. Paul Bruce and Steve Palmer also played in the middle and Matthew Rose returned to the team alongside Alex Bonnot in midfield. Marcus Bignot played wide on the right with Connolly on the left and Robert Taylor was just behind the front two of Thomson and Griffiths.

The system seemed to work pretty well as it was versatile enough to turn into a back four when we were being attacked as Bignot came back to right back and Bruce went to the left.

It was good to see a Rangers side working like this, as we looked stronger going forward and still pretty tight at the back. We created some good chances, as Andy Thomson should have done better when clean through before he headed over later in the half. Leroy was looking hungry but choose to shoot at times when others were in a better position.

The chances were few and far between though and although we looked pretty solid the game was pretty dull to watch and to often we choose to play along ball to Taylor rather than use the midfield. Half time couldn't come quick enough and was met with a few boos but you could see us scoring as few goals in the second half against a very poor Port Vale side if we started to play the ball on the floor.

As the half started we began to do that as Thomson and Griffiths began to link well and a goal looked on the cards, several good moves were almost finished off as we came forward looking for a goal before disaster struck.

Simon Osborn threaded a ball through to Steve Brooker and Terrell Forbes was caught out as the big striker ran through and finished well shooting into the bottom corner. Cue mass celebrations from the 175 Port Vale Supporters and for the next five minutes Port Vale looked alright. It took some excellent defending by Terrell Forbes to keep us in the game and Holloway knew it was time for a change.

Robert Taylor was the man to come off, much to the supporters delight, and on came Dou Dou to play behind the front two and from them on the game was changed. Straight away we began passing the ball and Dou Dou was everywhere winning tackles, taking people on and getting the crowd excited. You could sense a goal was coming but as we got another corner I sat down thinking to myself We never score from corners what's the point of getting excited.

Of course when this thought goes through your head you immediately convince yourself you've given up hope so we are bound to score and feel twice as pissed off when it goes straight at the keeper and sure enough a decent corner was cleared. My brain was on overdrive now as I was fuming thinking "why do we never score from……"oh hang on ball back in the box falls to Palmer 1-1, oh ye of little faith, I knew we'd score really.

Palmer took it well as I've seen many strikers in Blue and white miss those chances over the last few years but we were back in the game and Port Vale completely collapsed. Leroy and Thomson were working very well together and some of the football we were playing was a joy to watch. We got our reward with a wonderful second goal.

Terrell Forbes intercepted a pass and sensed we were on a counter attack, we ran with the ball over the halfway line as Leroy spun away from his markers to get wide, this saw the Vale defence open up following Leroy and Andy Thomson pointed to the space in front of him. Terrell found him superbly and Thomson hit it first time to round off a good move and he ran straight over to Leroy as his movement allowed the space to open up for Thomson.

Within minutes we were coming forward again, Leroy was put through and he went round the keeper before being pulled down for a clear penalty, the ref played the advantage as Dou Dou was also sent tumbling and the ref gave the penalty. Bignot and Holloway went mad as Marcus scored after the ball ran free and this gave Port Vale a chance to keep it at 2-1.

The keeper was sent off and a long delay began as they got the sub keeper ready. The Rangers fans chanted Leroy's name as he gave the Loft a wave and Andy Thomson stepped up to take one of the coolest penalties you'll ever see and win the game for us. After that it could easily have been 5 or 6 as we tore Port Vale apart.

Leroy, Dou Dou and Thomson were outstanding and it was great to see the team try and get Thomson his hat trick as Leroy passed to Thomson several times when he might have scored himself. Connolly also came to life running at players and it had turned into an enjoyable day. The game ended with a fantastic goal, which hopefully television highlights will show the whole move.

Rangers passed the ball about through midfield with some great one touch stuff and a lovely flick by Leroy saw Thomson nip in for his hat trick. Words cannot do the goal justice, you have to see it to fully appreciate the quality of the move.

The final whistle was met with huge cheers and the players received a standing ovation. It took a while to get going but in the end it was an excellent afternoons work by Rangers and at last some goals to cheer about.

Man of the Match: Terrell Forbes

Players Ratings

1. Chris Day: Didn't have a lot to do, should have done better with the goal though. 6/10

17. Terrell Forbes: Was caught out for the goal but defended superbly throughout and saved us a few times in the second half, his run for the second goal won us the match in my opinion. 9/10

4. Steve Palmer: Read the game well and always tried to help those around him with an arm around the shoulder or a bollocking when needed. 8/10

3. Paul Bruce: Woeful at times as he was caught out when people ran at him and constantly gave the ball away, the left side of defence is a problem but if we continue with the 3-4-1-2 formation then I don't think Bruce will be in the side on Tuesday. 6/10

12. Matthew Rose: Played an anchor role in midfield and did it well, like the rest of the midfield he seemed to gain a lot of confidence after we scored. 7/10

11. Marcus Bignot: Very quiet for the first hour or so but then came to life as the game wore on and was back to his best. 7/10

10. Karl Connolly: Like Bignot he was very quiet for most of the game but came to life after we scored using the ball well and creating a few chances for the forwards. 7/10

26. Alex Bonnot: Kept things ticking over in midfield trying to open up the Vale defence, one of those players you don't always notice but we miss him when he's not playing. 7/10

18. Robert Taylor: Tried to link the forwards to the midfield and did OK but we do tend to hit it long when he plays which means we look poor at times and doesn't have the pace to worry anyone behind the front two. 6/10

14. Leroy Griffiths: His looks very eager up front chasing lost causes like the one which got us the penalty and he produced a few superb cross field passes for Forbes and Bignot. He still has a lot to learn and can be quite erratic at times but he looks like a player of some potential 7/10

27. Andy Thomson: What can you say about Thomson. Reminds me of Gary Bannister in that he takes his chances when they come to him and even if he misses a few he doesn't let it get to him. If we create chances this man will score goals, a very well deserved hat trick. 9/10

Subs

29: Dou Dou: A crowd favourite and he changed the game when he came on, He showed how much better he is in the middle than on the wing and I hope he gets a long run in the side. 7/10