QPR Scrape Past Stanley...

QPR 2-1 Accrington Stanley

Second half goals from Hogan Eprhaim and Wayne Routledge ensured progress in the Carling Cup, as Rangers literally scraped through against brave, Accrington Stanley.



Well, I am sure we have all seen the milk advert years ago and there have been many quotes of 'who are they?... exactly!!!', since the draw was made, but Stanley completely out fought and out played Rangers in the first half and would have had their reward had it not been for debutant, Tom Heaton in the R's goal. The R's fans showed their frustrations at half time as the players left the pitch to a chorus of booing!

After the break, two substitutions saw the R's improve slightly in the second half with Adel Taarabt having a real go and almost single handedly attacked the Stanley back line. Rowan Vine and Damion Stewart both missed good chances for Rangers within minutes of the restart as Taarabt's pace and trickery lifted the home supporters.

The deadlock was finally broken on 68 minutes when Ephraim received the ball just inside the box, let it bounce before calmly placing it past keeper Alan Martin. In the dying minutes, Rangers made the game safe, following a corner which went almost all the way back before coming forward again and ended with substitute, Wayne Routledge crashing his shot off the crossbar.

Symes pulled one back for Stanley with just seconds left and it was no more than they deserved on the night - firing low and hard into the net to the delight of the excellent 150 odd Stanley fans, who sang their hearts out from the moment the game kicked off. They seriously, did not shut up throughout the night and are probably still singing now during their long journey home!! Well done to all of them!!

QPR: Heaton, Ramage, Stewart, Mahon (Routledge 68), Leigertwood, Vine, Buzsaky, Agyemang (Taarabt 46), Gorkss (Borrowdale 46), Connolly, Ephraim. Subs: Helguson, Pellicori, Balanta, Cerny.

Lofty's Man of the Match - Adel Taarabt for QPR but the award must go to Accrington Stanley to a man, for an excellent display on the night. Credit also to Peter Ramage once more, who yet again, was the ONLY QPR player to acknowledge the supporters at the final whistle. I will continue to mention this as I am finding this more and more upsetting as a lot of the R's players are quickly turning into prima donnas, or maybe they are just sulking at being booed...

In summary, I mentioned that Saturday's draw with Forest was our worst performance of the season so far, I stand corrected. With so many negatives, I will end with tonight's positives - QPR are in the next round of the Carling Cup - the performance of Accrington Stanley and their supporters - and finally, myself and PK got in for nothing as a reward for last season's loyalty points. Strange though, as I still feel rather cheated...