Season In Review – August

The first part of Vital QPR’s season in review as we cover another eventful season in W12.

QPR 1-1 Blackpool – 08-08-2009

Following a positive pre-season under the guidance of new boss Jim Magilton, Rangers went into the season in a positive attitude as they faced the return of Ian Holloway and Blackpool.

Despite impressing early on Rangers were a goal down when useful play from Gary Taylor-Fletcher found Ben Burgess, and the man-mountain forward rolled home.

The pressing continued into the second half, with Pool holding firm for their new boss. Step forward Peter Ramage who buried a cross-come-shot into the top left hand corner.

Goals: Ramage 86; Burgess 37
Team: Radek Cerny, Peter Ramage, Gavin Mahon, Fitz Hall, Wayne Routledge, Heidar Helguson (Rowan Vine 56), Kaspars Gorkss, Martin Rowlands (Patrick Agyemang 60), Angelo Balanta (Akos Buzsaky 56), Gary Borrowdale, Adel Taarabt.

Exeter City 0-5 QPR – 11-08-2009

The first of Rangers’ West Country trio as Rangers played Exeter for the first time in 43 years. It was a glorious summer’s eve in Devon but a mediocre first half had R’s fans worried.

Needless to say their fears were unfounded as a neatly taken hatrick from Wayne Routledge – culminating from the penalty spot saw Rangers into a commanding position.

Further goals from Alessandro Pellicori and a Hogan Ephraim wonder-strike saw Rangers canter to victory at St James’ Park and coast into the next round.

Goals: Routledge 53, 61, 66pen, Pellicori 85, Ephraim 89
Team: Radek Cerny, Damion Stewart, Mikele Leigertwood, Wayne Routledge (Gareth Ainsworth 65), Rowan Vine (Alessandro Pellicori 65), Akos Buzsaky, Patrick Agyemang (Gavin Mahon 71), Kaspars Gorkss, Matthew Connolly, Hogan Ephraim, Gary Borrowdale.

Plymouth Argyle 1-1 QPR – 15-08-2009

Magilton’s Rangers were looking useful as they headed further into the West Country to face Plymouth Argyle, and they struck what appeared to be a decisive blow before half time.

Adel Taarabt saw his effort cannon back off David McNamee before Helguson was able to show great poachers instinct and nod home on the stroke of half time.

It appeared that Rangers were about to claim their first win of the season, but a hopeful long throw saw Fitz Hall cut a ponderous figure and unfortunate Kaspars Gorkss knocked the ball home in the melee.

Goals: Gorkss 90og; Helguson 43
Team: Radek Cerny, Peter Ramage, Fitz Hall, Kaspars Gorkss, Gary Borrowdale, Wayne Routledge, Gavin Mahon, Mikele Leigertwood, Akos Buzsaky (Hogan Ephraim 73), Adel Taarabt (Rowan Vine 77), Heidar Helguson (Patrick Agyemang 60).

Bristol City 1-0 QPR – 18-08-2009

Despite being without a victory in the league, Rangers were still undefeated as they travelled to Ashton Gate in a bid to kick-start their Championship campaign.

A peculiar decision that saw Patrick Agyemang play off presumably nobody as both he and Adel Taarabt sat deep of the strikers role, and the formation was rapidly picked open by the Robins.

Danny Haynes was finding all manner of space and but for some woeful finishing City would have been out of sight. The game was ultimately settled by a moment of sheer class.

Nicky Maynard picked up the ball outside the area before thundering past Radek Cerny, and despite an excellent second half showing from Rangers they had only Leigertwood last gasp miss to show for their efforts.

Goals: Maynard 78
Team: Radek Cerny, Peter Ramage, Fitz Hall, Damion Stewart, Gary Borrowdale, Wayne Routledge, Mikele Leigertwood, Alejandro Damián Faurlín (Heidar Helguson 85), Akos Buzsaky, Adel Taarabt (Rowan Vine 66), Patrick Agyemang (Alessandro Pellicori 67).

QPR 1-1 Nottingham Forest – 22-08-2009

The pressure was beginning to mount as the win still was not forthcoming despite a useful second half showing at Ashton Gate – Mikele Leigertwood clearly took something from the clash however.

After a disappointing late miss and seeing Maynard hit a stunning effort, Leigertwood produced an incredible effort of his own, cutting in from the right and firing into the top corner.

Then out of nothing in the second half, Nottingham Forest were level as Adebola’s flick-on found David McGoldrick who flicked past Cerny from close range.

Goals: Leigertwood 25, McGoldrick 57
Team: Radek Cerny, Peter Ramage, Fitz Hall (Kaspars Gorkss 46), Damion Stewart, Gary Borrowdale, Wayne Routledge, Alejandro Damián Faurlín, Mikele Leigertwood, Adel Taarabt (Akos Buzsaky 66), Heidar Helguson, Alessandro Pellicori (Rowan Vine 61).

QPR 2-1 Accrington Stanley – 25-08-2009

Rangers could take a break from their league woes and enjoy themselves in Carling Cup competition, but the hangover from the first-half at St James’ Park seemed to manifest itself at Loftus Road.

After a truly forgettable first half in which Accrington, cheered on by their buoyant travelling army, dominated the chances and Jim Magilton made two half time changes.

Adel Taarabt was one of the changes and his bright running helped spur the R’s on to the eventual win. The deadlock was broken when Peter Ramage’s cross fell to Hogan Ephraim who expertly lobbed the ‘keeper.

One quickly became two as substitute Wayne Routledge rounded seemingly endless men before slamming in off the cross-bar, less cheers but sighs of relief.

Accrington picked up a deserved consolation as former Everton youth product Michael Symes poked home from close range and drew the applause of the Loftus Road crowd.

Goals: Ephraim 68, Routledge 90; Symes 90
Team: Tom Heaton, Peter Ramage, Damion Stewart, Kaspars Gorkss (Gary Borrowdale 46), Matthew Connolly, Akos Buzsaky, Gavin Mahon (Wayne Routledge 68), Mikele Leigertwood, Hogan Ephraim, Rowan Vine, Patrick Agyemang (Adel Taarabt 46).

Scunthorpe United 0-1 QPR – 29-08-2009

Scunthorpe were next up for Rangers as they looked to round off a mediocre August with a much-needed win, but the Iron had other ideas in their battle for survival.

Despite Fitz Hall being sick in the centre circle seconds before the game, he and his defensive partners were able to hold firm after an early Rangers goal.

Adel Taarabt linked up nicely with Alejandro Faurlín before surging through the home rearguard and rolling past the onrushing Joe Murphy, as early as the third minute.

That rounded off the month with their first Championship win of the campaign, a gritty one but nevertheless the importance couldn’t be understated.

Goals: Taarabt 3
Team: Radek Cerny, Peter Ramage, Matthew Connolly, Fitz Hall, Gary Borrowdale, Wayne Routledge, Mikele Leigertwood, Alejandro Faurlín (Gavin Mahon 81), Hogan Ephraim, Adel Taarabt (Rowan Vine 56), Jay Simpson (Heidar Helguson 70).

Stay tuned for the next installment! – Coming soon!




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