QUEENS Park Rangers were looking to pick up some much-needed points after an indifferent start in the newly non-regionalised Third Division.
Queens Park Rangers were looking to pick up some much-needed points after an indifferent start in the newly non-regionalised Third Division.
Teams: Queens Park Rangers v Doncaster Rovers
Date: Monday September 15, 1958
Competition: Football League Third Division
Venue: Loftus Road, London
Rangers had managed to scrape through to the Third Division after finishing tenth in the southern section the season previous – with only the top half able to secure their place in the non-regionalised division.
They faced a side they had never done before at this level in Doncaster Rovers. Six years had passed since the sides’ previous meeting in 1952 in the Second Division.
Since their relegation Rangers were steadily attempted to rebuild their progress under Jack Taylor, and steady improvements season on season saw the R’s boss build a prospering side.
Jack Crayston’s Rovers were playing off the back of their recent relegation from the second tier and were looking a good bet to bounce back judging by their early results.
Doncaster had won four of their opening six games, beating Brentford twice in the process. This was accompanied by the home thrashing of Stockport County (4-1) as Rovers sought to climb back into the top flight.
Indeed Rovers last game prior to the clash at Loftus Road was a 2-0 victory over QPR at Belle Vue, a feat they looked to repeat just six days later.
Rangers meanwhile were in the midst of a rather mediocre run with a run of three defeats against Tranmere Rovers (0-2), Bournemouth (0-2) and the aforementioned Doncaster (0-2) stemmed by a useful win over Norwich City (2-1).
The man in form was R’s front-man Arthur Longbottom – netting four goals in Rangers’ opening seven games, including a brace on the opening day in a 2-2 draw against Reading.
Rangers made one change with Michael Tomkys replaced by Alec Dawson at number seven as the hosts looked to record back to back wins.
Indeed Longbottom set the ball rolling at Loftus Road and further goals by Scotsman Bobby Cameron and Pat Kerrins helped secure a comfortable 3-1 win for Rangers.
The result was defining for Doncaster’s season with Rovers losing seven successive games, and indeed only recording one win in 15 in a dismal season for the afternoon’s visitors.
Doncaster’s demise was complete as they were relegated with 33 points, and even the following season they struggled in the fourth division.
Rangers meanwhile finished 13th as Jack Taylor brought down his seven year reign at Loftus Road by leaving for Leeds United – Alec Stock would be his replacement for the new season.
Final Score: Queens Park Rangers 3-1 Doncaster Rovers
Attendance: 10,118
Queens Park Rangers: Drinkwater, Woods, Ingham, Petchey, Rutter, Angell, Dawson, Longbottom, Kerrins, Cameron, Locke.
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