Coca Cola Championship
Saturday December 15th  
   
Queens Park Rangers 0 Wolves 0
   

 

   
Team Line Up
   
         
   
1. Lee Camp
   
           
25. Bob Malcolm
28. Zesh Rehmann
5. Damion Stewart
3. Chris Barker
           
11. Gareth Ainsworth
32. Mikele Leigterwood
10. Akos Buzsacky

14. Martin Rowlands (c)

           
   
30. Marc Nygaard
9. Dexter Blackstock
   
   
Subs  
Scott Sinclair on for Dexter Blackstock  
Subs Not Used  
Jake Cole
Angelo Balanta  
Stefan Moore  
Simon Walton  

It was an early start on Saturday morning for many fans as the queues for Chelsea tickets started whilst most sane people were still in bed. We made our way to the ground and began queuing at half eight and by that stage the queue for upper tier tickets was already past the Springbok and the lower tier queue went from the box office back to the club shop. It was all well organised though and with the box office opening early the wait for a ticket was not as bad as I thought it would be.

A few hours later we were back at Loftus Road for the game itself against a Wolves side who have been struggling to get a win in recent weeks but still posses enough quality to sustain a push for the playoffs again. Rangers were forced into changes just days after the impressive win at Burnley. Dexter Blackstock returned to replace the suspended Rowan Vine whilst Akos Buzsacky came in for the also suspended Adam Bolder. There was also a return for Martin Rowlands wearing the captain's armband with Scott Sinclair dropping to the bench in his final game of his loan spell from Chelsea.

Wolves started the game the brighter of the two sides and as usual looked a well organised side under Mick McCarthy but lacked a little bit of flair to open up even the most generous of defences. Defender Neil Collins had the first chance of the game as he met a corner with a strong header but put his effort wide.

Both teams were playing a few too many high balls with Ainsworth's head being the main aim from Camps goal kicks but after the game settled down Rangers began to play some decent football. Ainsworth was our biggest threat and looked back at his very best with his swashbuckling ruins down the right, one of these should have produced a goal when he got round the back and played I across the six yard box but Blackstock bundled the ball past the post.

Blackstock was working hard but looked in dire need of a goal when he put a decent chance wide after a mistake by Collins. Rangers were dominating the half with Buzsacky in sublime form.

Martin Rowlands went close twice as he produced his best performance for a few weeks. He ran from deep on the left before curling a low shot towards the bottom corner which was well saved and he was again denied with a similar move minutes later after a run on the right.

Rangers had the ball in the back of the net before half time but it was rather harshly ruled out as Blackstock was adjudged to have fouled at the far post as he headed across goal for Ainsworth to tap it in.

Wolves had a few late chances before the break but at half time we looked in good shape to go on and win the game although at the back of my mind I had a horrible feeling that Wolves would end up nicking a winner.

The second half turned out to be similar to the first with Rangers playing most of the football but Wolves looked dangerous on the break.

Rangers missed a good early chance which I also missed as I was still making my back to my seat. Apparently Blackstock got clear but his shot beat the keeper and went just wide of the post.

The pressure continued when Stewart headed a dangerous Buzsacky corner just wide of the post whilst Nygaard had a header on target but comfortably saved.

The big Dane should have won us a penalty in the big moment of the game. A high ball into the box saw Nygaard try to get away from Foley but he was clearly pulled back and then pushed onto the floor. It was a blatant penalty and right in front of the keeper but somehow the referee waved play on and denied us the lead we had deserved.

Camp had seen little of the action up until this point but made a decent save from a Ward header, which dipped under the bar at the last minute and required a tip over the bar. Rangers began to drop deep and Wolves had a few chances to take the lead but at the back Rehmann and Stewart were defending very well and clearing any danger that came their way.

Wolves then had a glorious chance to win the game when a decent move saw Rangers pulled out of position and a low cross found Elliott unmarked from five yards out with an open goal in front of him. Camp was scrambling across but had no chance until much to everyone's amusement Elliot but the shot well wide and the score remained goalless.

Rangers then composed themselves and got through a difficult spell to dominate again and Wayne Hennessey denied us all three points with a great late save. Rowlands again was the man to test him with a powerful shot towards the top corner, it looked a goal as he left his boot but Hennessey flew through the air and pushed it over the bar.

De Canio brought on Scott Sinclair for the final game of his loan spell but again he failed to impress this time up front. Ainsworth was our star man and got into some good positions on the right but his low crosses along the six yard box were not read by anyone and some good chances went begging.

In the end it ended 0-0 and was a decent result for Rangers and an improved performance. Once again Zesh Rehmann had a good game at the heart of defence whilst Gareth Ainsworth was outstanding on the right wing. Buzsacky and Rowlands also looked good but the front two never really clicked together and we looked like we missed Vine's creative spark around the box.