Blackstock and Two Smokin Barrels...

QPR 2-1 Charlton

QPR got back to winning ways as a brace from Dexter Blackstock secured a 2-1 win over Charlton at a very cold Loftus Road last night - The match was dedicated to the memory of Kiyan Prince and The Kiyan Prince Foundation - Kiyan would have been celebrating his 18th birthday. Prince, a former QPR player, was tragically stabbed to death at the age of 15 following an altercation with another student outside the gates of the London Academy in Edgware in May 2006.



Following the debacle at Watford at the weekend, the mood was somewhat downbeat and subdued around Loftus Road before kick off. There were only probably two positive people amongst the gang before kick off, one who was Glenn, a Spurs fan and guest for the night - why he would want to come and watch QPR with the upturn in fortunes at White Hart Lane, surprised everyone - and Corp, of who we met briefly before the game who had enjoyed more Corporate Hospitality. He had great pleasure in describing his excellent meal after we had just paid a visit to the fish shop. PK unfortunately, got home from work too late too attend and listened in the warmth of his home.

Onto the game and after the presentation of Paulo Sousa to the home supporters, it took a while to get going, but on 17 minutes, Damiano Tomassi fired in a low cross from the left which found Blackstock unmarked seven yards out, the striker made no mistake to claim his eighth goal of the season. If the Charlton defending was bad enough for the goal, the R's more than made up for it on 30 minutes when Therry Racon arrived unmarked to slide home Hameur Bouazza's fiercely driven cross.

The second half was a more lively affair and Sousa had introduced Patrick Agyemang in place of Di Carmine, but it was Charlton who made the more encouraging start. Rangers had decent 20 minutes spell but it was Charlton who were looking the more likely in front of goal and nearly snatched the lead with 15 minutes remaining when skipper Mark Hudson glanced debutant Keith Gillespie's cross narrowly wide.But this miss was to prove costly, as moments later QPR broke up the other end and Hogan Ephraim crossed for Blackstock, who steered a fantastic header into the top corner. Blackstock should have had his hat trick as minutes later, Ephraim's pin-point cross picked out Blackstock, but this time he could only head the ball agonisingly wide.

QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Leigertwood, Parejo (Ledesma 73), Blackstock, Gorkss, Ramage, Tommasi (Mahon 61), Di Carmine (Agyemang 46), Ephraim. Subs: Cole, Oastler.

Lofty's Man of the Match - despite two good goals and an very hard working performance from Blackstock, the award goes to Patrick Agyemang who made a massive impact up front when he came on for the second half.

Well, in summary, this was not the best performance by any means but it was a massive improvement on the disgrace at Watford and you have to say, that a win is a win and it was three very welcome points. Let's not forget that we were also without Fitz Hall, Lee Cook, Martin Rowlands, Matt Connolly and long term absentees, Akos Buszaky and Rowan Vine. Personally, I was very disappointed AGAIN, with Daniel Parejo, who's theatrics were not only annoying last night, but extremely unconvincing. There is a great player in there somewhere, let's just hope we get to see it soon.

And finally, for those who sit in the Loftus Road Stand, I can highly recommend the soup sold at the bagel bar, which used to be the Ladbrokes booth in the Lower Loft - SUPERB!! - and definitely just the job on a very cold night!