It was a new experience for QPR as we travelled to Sheffield United for the Carling Cup second round. It was the first time we had been in this stage of the competition since Ray Harford QPR lost to Charlton in 1998. With so much pressure on us to do well in the league it was a welcome diversion to go into this game with no pressure on us and a chance to relax.

I have to admit going to the game I had low expectations of the game. I expected us to put up a good fight and make it difficult for Sheffield United but I was resigned to us losing by a couple of goals. Still it was going to be interesting to see how we coped against one of the best sides in division one.

Once again as it was a midweek game I choose to get the supporters club coach which flew down the M1 and arrived in Sheffield by half five. Unfortunately the police had decided to give us an escort to the ground and we had to wait until 6.15 for him to turn up.

Bit of a shame as we sat around twiddling our thumbs but once we arrived at the ground the locals were pretty friendly and the police told us we could get food and a beer in the ground.

After a few beers and a very nice burger I had my weekly bet on Danny Shittu to get the first goal before Juzza pointed out his bet of £2 on Martin Rowlands who was an amazing 25/1. I was tempted but used my last £2.50 to have another pint instead.

Juzza also showed me the team sheet and it provided a shock. Steve Palmer had been dropped for the first time in 2 years. Marc Bircham replaced him and Kevin Gallen was made captain.

Only other change was expected as Forbes returned to play in central defence alongside Danny Shittu. The team looked pretty strong but so did Sheffield United’s who had Michael Brown, Michael Tonge, Jack Lester and Wayne Allision in the line up.

We made our way to our seats and the view was pretty spectacular although a bit high for anyone scared of heights like Carly is. She soon forgot about all that though once the game started.

Around 4-500 Rangers fans had made the trip and we were in good vice to start with. We attacked towards the far end of the ground and despite being massive underdogs we started the more confident side.

We passes the ball through midfield with a slickness we haven’t seen for a while and Rowlands found himself in space to whip in an early dangerous cross and we won our first corner. My Shittu bet was looking good but Dan couldn’t get on the end of it and the chance as gone.

It was a great start by Rangers though as we passed the ball well in midfield with the front two linking well with the wide players and the back four were looking solid. Forbes and Shittu looked a very impressive partnership at the back and they looked like they had been together for a long time.

Our first chance came after a good cross in found Gallen at the far post and his header was weak but almost bet the debutant keeper who palmed it wide for a corner. It had been a great first 20 minutes but I was waiting for the backlash to start and Sheffield United to get ahead but it just never happened. They had a few breaks forward but a quality tackle by Bean prevented one burst into the box and Day comfortably saved the one shot they had on target.

At the other end we continued to play some quality football and create chances. McLeod had an effort blocked whilst Furlong could have done better with one chance he blasted over the bar.

The atmosphere in the away end was excellent with the QPR fans making all the noise. With the United fans sat in silence throughout the game songs such as “Shit fans give us a song” and “You’ve got the worst supporters in the land” summing up our feelings on the fast asleep 9,000 home fans.

A goal would be the icing on a very nice cake of a first half and we got it after half an hour. McLeod again did well down the left and played the ball into Gallen. Gallen seemed to take an age on the ball whilst many called for him to shoot, he took his time and rolled it wide to Rowlands who had cut inside and fired and unstoppable shot into the back of the net. 1-0 to the Superhoops and we were loving it. Last years league cup semi finalist were being out played by us and although I still waited for the backlash from them we were looking as good as I have seen us in a long time.

A couple of bookings finished the half as McLeod went in for a stupid tackle he was never going to win and was given a yellow card whilst Shittu was hacked down by Lester who was booked and was having no joy against the QPR defence.

It could have been 2-0 after a great run and cross by McLeod found Gallen totally unmarked in the middle but he fired over when he really should have done better.

We continued to look solid and as the board came up with 3 minutes injury time we all hoped that we could hang on and go in 1 goal ahead at half time.

A corner on the left was floated in and Rangers quickly cleared and broke away. Padula stuck the ball through Browns legs and Bircham sprinted onto it and found Gallen. Gallen ran forward and held onto the ball brilliantly before laying it off wide to Rowlands who powered his shot first time into the bottom corner and we were 2-0 up. The Rangers end went mental as we couldn’t quite believe how well we were playing and as the half time whistle went the team got a standing ovation off the pitch.

During the break I spoke to several other Rangers fans all stunned by how good it was all going, as we had absolutely no expectations about this game.

We just hoped that the team could hang on as United were bound to come out and give it a real go against us and just a few days ago they scored five times in the second half against Cardiff.

The players looked relaxed though as they came out for the second half and we started where we left off controlling the game in midfield and looking the better side although United were now more of a threat coming forward but we looked dangerous on the break with McLeod pace causing problems.

One low cross was just to far away from Gallen to convert but on McLeod’s next break forward he fired a shot towards the top corner and it took an excellent save to tip it over the bar.

United had chances as they piled forward but the QPR back four were magnificent catching them offside time and time again and dealing with any danger with the sort of quality which seemed to surprise the home side.

Bircham found himself booked for a foul on Tonge, which looked harsh to me as United best chance came when Day was beaten to the ball and from six yards out a shot was fired in but Padula cleared it off the line. The ref blew for a foul anyway though so it wouldn’t have counted.

We were looking comfortable and as the minutes ticked away we began to feel confident of victory against a very good Sheffield United side. Former Rangers striker Paul Peschisolido came on as they went with 3 up front but it made no difference and we cruised through the last twenty minutes.

Martin Rowlands limped off and gave the home crowd a chance to wake up and boo Gareth Ainsworth but the game was won and the Rangers fans made plenty of noise to celebrate a good victory. When the final whistle eventually went pig bag was being sung rather loudly by the travelling QPR fans who were rewarded for your loyalty with a stunning performance.

The first 45 minutes were as good as anything I’ve seen under Ian Holloway and the 2-0 scoreline flattered Sheffield United as it could have been more if we’d gone for goals in the second half.

So QPR go into the third round of the league cup for the first time since 1995. The QPR board will hope for a money spinning tie in the next round as the big Premiership clubs come into it.

Personally I don’t care who we get I’m just delighted that we’ve finally managed to go on some sort of cup run after years of under achievement in this competition.

Man of the Match: Danny Shittu

Players Ratings

1. Chris Day: Didn't have much to do in all honesty but dealt with crosses well. 8/10

23. Richard Edghill: Another very impressive performance as he played the ball out of defence well and defended very well. 8/10

3. Gino Padula: Different class at left back. His best game for a while and he looked at home at this level. 8/10

6. Danny Shittu: Outstanding at the back for Rangers. His way strong quick and hardly ever beaten in the air. He also talked to all the other defenders and organised the backline brilliantly. 9/10

2. Terrell Forbes: A nervous start but soon settled and had a very good game. We all now what a good defender he is and he could be a very good player for us in this position. 8/10

8. Marc Bircham: worked hard and showed plenty of ability on the ball with some good passes out wide to McLeod. 7/10

17. Marcus Bean: Another very impressive performance from the 18 year old. Won tackles, passed the ball well against a Premiership quality player in Michael Brown. 8/10

14. Martin Rowlands: Two great goals and another impressive display. Very clever on the ball and his late runs into the box were just what we needed. 8/10

22. Kevin McLeod: Had the beating of his full back and whipped in some lovely crosses. Shame his set pieces were poor but all in all a good performance,. 8/10

10. Kevin Gallen: Showed plenty of quality on the ball passing well and set up both the goals. Needs to get a goal though as he looks short of confidence when he gets chances. 8/10

29. Paul Furlong: The way he controls long balls with his chest or first time with his feet is a joy to watch. He was once again excellent holding the ball up and linking the play although he didn't get many chances to add to his six goals this season. 8/10

Subs:

11. Gareth Ainsworth: Not on for long but did a good job on the right 7/10