| Monday April 21st | |
|
Queens Park Rangers 2 |
Notts County 0 |
| P.Furlong | |
| R.Langley | |
| Turn Up if you
Love Rangers 2 helped bring plenty of fans through the doors for this
must win game against Notts County. All three QPR ends were virtually
full as the atmosphere was euphoric after Saturdays win at Brentford.
Rangers were unchanged again as Stephen Kelly looked to continue his 100% record in a Rangers shirt. We started well and looked by far the better team from the start. Langley and Mcleod were looking dangerous down the wings whilst Gallen and Furlong were their usual strong selves up front. An early Padula free kick caused problems as the ball swung in and Notts County used more luck then judgement to get the ball clear. Langley then had a go on the left but his effort hit the side netting. A goal seemed inevitable as the visitors were looking in end of season mid table mode and a good break gave us the lead. Mcleod linked well with Gallen and broke clear down the left, his cross saw the keeper flap at it and totally miss time his jump leaving Furlong an easy header which cannoned back off the post for Furlong to convert the rebound. The sun was shining and Rangers were in the lead. This Easter couldn't get much better and Furlong was mobbed by the Rangers players celebrating as he looks to over take Kevin Gallen as Rangers top scorer this season. Notts County offered very little going forward apart from long balls to Allsopp which was well defended by Danny Shittu and Clarke Carlisle. We should have got a second from a Padula corner. Furlong had a free header but somehow managed to head the ball away from goal when it seemed certain he would score. Half time came and we looked very comfortable and news that Crewe were drawing gave us real hope that second place was still possible. Second half saw us continue to stay on top. The midfield were working hard for each other and the front two were running non stop to keep the pressure on. McLeod and Gallen had a few half chances to double our lead but the team seemed to look a little tired and we lost the momentum we had built up. The fans began to get nervous as we feared an equaliser and Allsopp should have put them level with a good chance on the hour mark but Day did well to save it. They still offered very little going forward but the nerves from the terraces was getting to the players and we began to hang onto our 1-0 lead rather than push on and kill the game off. A McLeod free kick from the same position where he scored against Luton almost got us that killer goal but the keeper saved again. Darren Caskey then ran through the Rangers defence but Shittu was on hand again to made a crucial tackle and keep the visitors out. The tension was mounting and calls for a change fell on deaf ears as Holloway kept things as they were for the final few minutes. Bircham then went on a run through midfield and was hacked down for a free kick on the corner of the box. Bircham was pulled away from getting himself into trouble by Steve Palmer as the fans sang "We Love you Bircham, because you've got blue hair, we love you Bircham cos your everywhere, we love you Bircham, Rangers through and through". Bircham himself looked suitably chuffed at this song and applauded the fans whilst we waited for the free kick to be taken. Suddenly all the nerves and tension was gone as Richard Langley stepped up and curled a stunning free kick into the top corner of the net and the three points were in the bag. The fans celebrated but news of Tranmere and Crewe winning was a bit of a let down. Still we move upto 4th in the league which has to be a great psychological boost for the team after being stuck in 6th place since January. It's a great time to be a QPR fan at the moment. This has to be the first season I can remember in 20 years where we have something to play for other than relegation with two games to go. Man of the Match: Marc Bircham Players Ratings 1. Chris Day: Another comfortable performance from Day. Made one good save but had very little else to do. Always gives his defence a bit more confidence though by coming off his line to sweep up balls over the top which was something Culkin didn't and usually saw us having to defend a lot deeper than we need to. 7/10 32. Another good performance from Kelly. He gets forward well and put in one good cross which Gallen was close to putting away. 7/10 3. Gino Padula: One drag back in the first half had the Rangers fans up on their feet as Gino decided to play his way out of danger rather than hoof it. His set pieces were once again a danger for the opposition and you have to wonder why he wasn't in the team earlier. 7/10 5. Clarke Carlisle: Another good game for Clarke who is getting back towards his best again. He's always talking to Shittu which seemed to help them work together as a strong unit . 7/10 6. Danny Shittu: Some excellent tackles to keep Notts County out and he was unlucky not to score again in the first half. 7/10 4. Steve Palmer: His 500th club game which is a great achievement. Worked hard as ever in midfield and had one mad moment when he won the ball, dragged it back then passed to Gallen. It was like watching Brazil. 7/10 8. Marc Bircham: Got my man of the match award for his non stop running and geeing up of his team mates. When we needed a lift during that nervous spell in the second half he drove the team forward and made sure Notts County never had any time on the ball. 8/10 9. Richard Langley: Stunning free kick yet again for the second goal. I can't remember the last time we scored so many goals from direct free kicks. He was unlucky with one effort in the second half as well where he beat his man and curled his shot just wide of the far post. 7/10 15. Kevin McLeod: Great cross for the first goal and was close to scoring again with a free kick. 7/10 10. Kevin Gallen: Gallen has been quiet recently but he looked knackered in the last 20 mins yesterday. The only good sign of seeing Gallen go off the boil a bit is players like Langley, Furlong and Padula stand up and make things happen rather than hoping that Gallen does something. Saying that Gallen didn't have a bad game just not as good as the incredibly high standards he has set himself this season. 7/10 29. Paul Furlong: Another goal and another excellent performance. Worked hard and was a nuisance for the County defence all afternoon. 7/10 |