Boro Gone in Ten Minutes...

QPR 3-0 Middlesbrough

Lofty would like to welcome you all back after an International Break and what a pleasure it is to be be reporting on yet another superb Rangers performance, as the league leaders simply swept one of the promotion favourites away with a devastating second half showing...



I am not sure just how Lee has managed to talk me out of retirement, but done so he has as I will be reporting on the home games, but with performances such as yesterday's to report on, it won't be any great hardship that's for sure. Well, after two weeks away, the gang was at almost full strength at the Springbok for the pre match rituals, with only Jenson missing, still sunning himself in sunny Cyprus. Although, I am sure he is having a great time away, it must be a bit of a wrench to miss an R's game at the moment.

After discussing a possible wedding between two of the gang members and also, having to listen to, what was first quite pleasant, but turned into a quite annoying Brazillian/Samba type precession outside the pub, we made our way to our seats and actually missed a few minutes of the game due to a larger than average queue outside the Loft Upper entrance - it seems Rangers recent successes is bringing in/back a few more faces than normal and long may it continue...

Moving onto matters on the pitch and it was quite an entertaining first half with both sides creating a few chances, but the talking point at half time was the two Rangers penalty shouts - the first was nothing more than that really, as Taraabt went over in the box. But the second, just before half time, looked nailed on to me, as Helguson has his legs simply taken from under him by a Boro defender.

After a few choice words from Neil Warnock, the R's came out for the second half like a train and killed the game within 10 breathtaking second half minutes. On 49, the referee, albeit linesman assisted, finally awarded Rangers a penalty when Helguson was felled by Barry Robson. The Iceman himself stepped up and cooly slotted home...

Four minutes later and the R's doubled their lead in some fashion - the impressive Adel Taraabt floated a cross into the Boro area and Hogan Ephraim superbly guided in a shot and Loftus Road was now rocking. It was 3-0 six minutes later when Jamie Mackie got reward for another tireless performance, pouncing from close range after a Kaspars Gorkss shot was blocked.

Middlesbrough were now dead and buried and it was maybe just a little disappointing that more goals didn't come, but Hogan Ephraim was unlucky to see a fine curling shout come back off the crossbar late on.

QPR: Kenny, Orr (Ramage 69), Hill, Derry, Taarabt (Buzsaky 70), Helguson, Faurlin, Mackie (Smith 81), Gorkss, Connolly, Ephraim. Subs: Cerny, Leigertwood, Agyemang, Parker.

Lofty's Man of the Match - plenty of contenders here once again, but during our after match discussions at the British Queen, we had wittled it down to just two, Hogan Ephraim was one, but mine and California Hoop's choice, who will be given the award today simply as it's me that's writing the report, is Shaun Derry, who simply bossed the game from start to finish!!



The R's now take the road for two tough looking away games at Ipswich and Leicester. The Lofty Heights team will be represented at both games and maybe, there will be a new prediction winner next time out? We shall see...

Come on You R'sssss!!!!!!!!