HAPLESS Burnley travelled to Loftus Road more in hope than expectation as they faced a Rangers side intent on promotion.
Teams: Queens Park Rangers v Burnley
Date: Saturday 27th October, 1979
Competition: Football League Division Two
Venue: Loftus Road, London
Following a seven game unbeaten run the R`s succumbed to a home defeat against Sunderland, they were looking to inflict damage on a Burnley side that sat rock bottom of the second division.
The Clarets were yet to win in 12 games, drawing five and losing seven, most recently a 3-2 defeat by local rivals Preston North End, a result that would leave a bitter taste in the mouths of Burnley supporters.
Burnley`s regular stopper Alan Stevenson was unavailable for selection, which paved the way for 19 year old stopper Billy O`Rourke to be handed his debut in W12, a game indeed that he would never forget.
Paul Goddard opened the scoring after 18 minutes, and the lead was doubled courtesy of an Ian Brennan own goal in the 27th minute on a damp day in W12.
Rangers sealed the game on the stroke of half time as Goddard doubled his tally for the day, while midfielder David McCreery also got in on the act to make it four.
Under the watchful eye of Burnley Chairman Bob Lord, the Clarets continued to capitulate as soon after the break young forward Clive Allen notched for Rangers fifth. Burnley at last started to carve out some play and opportunities and kept Rangers at bay for a brief period, but not for long.
Allen doubled his tally from the spot before Glenn Roeder rounded off a sensational game a minute before the end for Rangers seventh. Despite the scoreline young Billy O`Rourke drew the plaudits for a solid performance, which could have been far worse but for some heroics between the sticks.
The stopper who passed away in 2002 aged 41, left the field in tears, but was nevertheless voted as man of the match by the Burnley Express. Rangers players stayed on to show their adulation for the young keeper.
Rangers finished in fifth place with 42 points, a mere six points off eventual winners Leicester City. Burnley finished second bottom as Charlton Athletic propped up the second division table.
Final Score: Queens Park Rangers v Burnley
Attendance: 11,261
QPR: Woods, Shanks, Gillard, McCreery, Roeder, Wicks, Bowles, Wallace, Allen, Goddard, Burke (Walsh 41).
Burnley: O`Rourke, Scott, Brennan, Noble, Thomson, Rodaway, James, Dobson, Fletcher, Young, Kindon.
To read the full catalogue from Rangers games in history, click here.
We want to know YOUR thoughts!
To have your say you can comment in the space provided below, or chat about it on the forum.
TOP STORIES
The Players Are Behind Ainsworth.
Burnley Clash Refereed By Woolmer.
Ainsworth Delighted With Fans.
