Saturday February 12th

Q.P.R. 1

Stockport 1

   
C.Kiwomya R.Matthews

New Loan signing Mikkel Beck began on the bench in an unchanged line up for QPR. The first time QPR have been unchanged since October 27th.

Rangers looked very disorganised early on allowing Stockport to control midfield in a very scrappy game. He ball spent mote time in the air than on the floor as one long ball was returned with another before a game of head tennis began between both teams.

Rangers hardly managed an attack of note early on, as Stockport looked more dangerous. Lee Harper almost found himself in trouble when he looked to have brought down a Stockport forward but the referee waved play on. A couple of long range efforts followed from County before they took the lead.

Rangers were cut open on the left and a cross found Rob Matthews unmarked to tap in a simple goal.

This seemed to wake QPR up and Gavin Peacock almost got Rangers level with a run into the box but his claims for a penalty after being obstructed were turned down. Slade then shot wide before a series of corners which saw a moment of panic with the Stockport keeper. His mistake should have seen Rangers score but we couldn't manage a worthy effort on goal.

Rangers were looking to play the long ball too often against a very tall Stockport defence leaving Slade and Kiwomya with no chance of success. Richard Langley was the exception. His range of passing was superb and he looked a class above everyone else on the pitch. Peacock again had a shot saved by the keeper as the half ended with a few boos from the Rangers fans.

The second half saw an immediate change with Darren Ward replaced by Mikkel Beck. Rangers switched to 4-3-3 in an attempt to get back in the game. Beck's first touch saw him turn into space and look for a team-mate. He played a nice ball through to Kiwomya but the Stockport defence held off the Rangers attack comfortably.

Despite the change, Rangers created very little but did improve as the half wore on. Richard Langley was again the main man in midfield opening up Stockport with his passing and working hard back in defence. The game seemed to be heading for a 1-0 when Gerry made two more substitutions. Kevin Gallen replaced Steve Slade and Richard Langley was withdrawn for Keith Rowland, a substitution I can not understand.

Gallen played his usual game up front, holding up the ball and bringing others into play well but still very few chances were created with the long ball being preferred to passing football. Stockport were well organised but by no means unbeatable and all they offered in attack was some long range efforts and a few corners as they seemed happy to sit back and defend.

On the few occasions that Rangers passed it we looked good. One move started from the corner flag with Harper and Baraclough playing a one two and feeding Gallen. His turn and pass found Peacock and Rangers spread the play quickly for Beck to run through but his cross evaded the on rushing Kiwomya and Wardley.

Wardley then made his one and only contribution to the game. He ran onto a loose ball and knocked the ball wide before curling an excellent cross into the box. Chris Kiwomya met the cross with a diving header into the bottom corner to give Rangers a point.

Rangers then looked for a winner and should have got it when Kiwomya turned in the box and was hacked down for a certain penalty. The ref played on but from my view (admittedly I was at the other end of the stadium) it looked a certain penalty. That looked to be our last chance with a few corners collected by the keeper before the game took a dramatic twist in the last minute.

A free kick on the left was curled in by Stockport and headed over Lee Harper as the keeper slipped at the crucial moment. Stockport celebrated but the referee disallowed the goal for a push on Ready? I use the question mark as I saw nothing wrong with the goal and get the feeling that the ref was making up for the penalty that wasn't a few minutes before. So another point for Rangers but a disappointing performance and a very dull game.

Man of the Match: Richard Langley

PLAYERS RATINGS

13. Lee Harper : At fault for the goal that never was but had little else to do. 6/10

22. Jermaine Darlington : Not one of his better games, his defending was average and he struggled to beat his man going forward. He does need more support from teamates when he runs down the wing as he had very few options other that to play for a corner yesterday. 6/10

3. Ian Baraclough : He looks to be struggling at left wing back and looks a lot better in the middle. Had an average game and can play so much better.

5, Karl Ready : Typical Ready, done some good things and some bad things. 6/10

32. Darren Ward : Struggled a little again and looks to be doing mover covering in the last two weeks than he was last month. 6/10

27. Stuart Wardley : Touched the ball; about 5 times but set up the goal. He needs to realise he has more time on the ball and not rush all the time.

8. Gavin Peacock : can play better, too many long balls saw him ruining more than creating. 6/10

21. Richard Langley : Great visions and skill plus the ability to tackle well, why he was taken off is a mystery 9/10

18. Steve Slade : No service again but need to work harder to create chances for himself. 6/10

11. Chris Kiwomya : Got a lot of stick from the QPR supporters but he kept going and got his reward with his ninth goal of the season. 7/10

Subs

36. Mikkel Beck : A couple of nice flicks and touches but hard to judge as he hasn't trained with the team much yet. 6/10

10. Kevin Gallen : Good to see him back, had an average game 6/10

16. Keith Rowland : Ran around a lot and passed well but nothing special. 6/10