RANGERS were back down in the second division after a torrid time at the top level, they travelled to Watford with an atrocious away record.
Teams: Watford v Queens Park Rangers
Date: Wednesday 20th August 1969
Competition: Football League Division Two
Venue: Vicarage Road, Watford
Queens Park Rangers came into the game at Vicarage Road with a torrid away record having not won on the road in the previous Division One campaign, which culminated in relegation.
Their previous away win was over Aston Villa in the Second Division in April 1968, 16 months prior to this game. Rangers had earlier this campaign stormed to a home win over Hull City, 3-0, before a goalless draw away at Preston North End.
Watford by contrast were riding the crest of a wave having been promoted to the second division from the third tier. In their opening game they were defeat by the odd goal, 1-0, away at Ashton Gate against Bristol City before a goalless draw at home to Bolton.
The Hornets were out of the blocks flying creating several chances and creating a lot of pressure epitomising their continual confidence following promotion. Watford were playing above their ability, which soon showed as class took hold at Vicarage Road.
Tony Hazell and Ron Hunt held firm at the back to deal with the early barrage of attacks that the Hornets had to offer, following this Rangers turned the screw on the opponents that were two divisions apart the previous season.
Mick Leach and Frank Sibley came in for Clive Clark and Ian Morgan as Rangers swept away their opponents with relative ease following the R`s solitary goal by Barry Bridges.
Rangers continued to grow in confidence throughout the fixture and could have had several goals to display their dominance, but the two points were secured by the just the one goal as Rangers could celebrate a rarity of an away victory.
Watford went on to finish just two points off the drop zone as Aston Villa and Preston North End were sent plummeting to the third tier. While Rangers finished a disappointing eight points and seven places off promoted Blackpool and champions Huddersfield Town.
Final Score: Watford 0-1 Queens Park Rangers
Attendance: 27,968
Burnley: Walker, Welbourne, Williams, Eddy, Lees (Green 47), Wally, Scullion, Hale, Sinclair, Endean, Lewis.
QPR: Kelly, Watson, Clement, Venables, Hunt, Hazell, Bridges, Sibley (Harris 80), Clarke, Marsh, Leach.
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