CUP contenders Queens Park Rangers hosted rivals Reading as the Third Division promotion race began to hot up.
Teams: Queens Park Rangers v Reading
Date: Saturday 14th January, 1967
Competition: Football League Division Three.
Venue: Loftus Road, London.
See Also: Reading 1-2 QPR – 1997-98.
Table topping QPR came into the first fixture of the New Year in rampant form. Rangers had only lost two games all season – the first game on the road against Watford, followed up with a home defeat against Oldham Athletic in November.
That marked only two defeats in 24 games for the R`s who came into the game in excellent form.
Reading themselves were in decent form, with only one defeat in eight. However only two wins in seven on the road was a worry for the Royals, as they made the trip to W12.
The visitors were bolstered by the strike force of 19 year old Peter Silvester and Rodney Thornhill. Thornhill will not have the fondest of memories of Queens Park Rangers as Mark Lazarus was given his marching orders at Elm Park for expertly landing a right hook on the Wokingham born forward.
The promotion challenge wasn`t the only rivalry on offer, as sibling rivalry between the clubs added some more spice to the fixture. Reading forward Denis Allen and Rangers` Clive Allen were going head to head in the clash in W12.
The R`s could call upon Les Allen and Rodney Marsh in attack, with Roger Morgan and Mark Lazarus supporting from the flanks, with Roger`s twin brother Ian taking a place on the bench.
Queens Park Rangers won the game by two goals to one, with Reading only able to muster one a solitary effort in reply to goals from Rodney Marsh and Roger Morgan.
Marsh ended up notching 30 goals for the campaign from 41 appearances as Alec Stock`s Rangers cantered to promotion from the third division. Their nearest rivals Middlesbrough finished 11 points behind the R`s.
Roy Bentley`s men finished a mere two points off second placed Boro` in fourth place, but it wasn`t enough to catch them or Rangers who climbed into the Second Division. It didn`t happen for Bentley the year after either as they finished fifth with two less points.
Final Score: Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Reading
QPR: Springett, Hazell, Keen, Hunt, Sibley, Lazarus, Allen, Marsh, Morgan R., Langley, Sanderson.
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
Striker Snubs Rangers Move.
Millwall Anticipate Bolder Deal.
January Signing To Move?.
