Stoke came for a cup final and left disappointed. It’s probably not right to titter at another team’s misfortune but with Stoke it’s hard not to – especially if you happened to be in The Prince before the match. Those there will know what I’m talking about.
While Stoke’s finest went to work on the Goldhawk Road, Stoke’s manager Tony Pulis came into this must win game with a strangely defensive line up. Apart from Hendrie, Fuller and Sidibe everybody in their line up looked like a defensively minded player to me – the selection of Dominic Matteo, who was never any ood in his prime, in midfield when they needed to better the results of the teams above them seemed ridiculous.
QPR came into the game hoping to end the season on a high and deny a team they’ve developed a recent feud with a place in the end of season play offs. Gregory was unable to select Lee Cook because on injury but Dexter Blackstock did return to the line up up fron with Marc Nygaard.
QPR started the game brilliantly, scoring inside five minutes to silence Stoke’s biggest ever following of fans to Loftus Road. Diao fouled Bolder on the corner of the penalty area and Martin Rowlands made the most of Lee Hendrie’s laziness in the wall and Steve Simonsen’s lack of concentration in goal to hammer a low shot in at the near post.
Stoke tried to hit back straight away but Sam Timoska cleared Ricardo Fuller’s goalbound shot off the goal line. Things got worse for the visitors when Lee Hendrie hobbled off following a tackle by Martin Rowlands for which he was booked. He was replaced by Lee Martin who went even closer than Fuller to opening the scoring when he cracked a long range shot off the top of the post. He also tried to seize on Dom Shimmin’s poor back pass but Cole rushed out and saved at his feet.
At the School End Nygaard skipped past Broomes after being played in by Blackstock but Simonsen beat him to the ball. He also fired over the bar after Martin Rowlands cut the ball back to him.
Pulis finally decided that attacking ambiion was the order of the day after half time and Stoke started to look like a side chasing a victory. Southampton were only drawing with Southend at half time so at this stage a win would have been good enough for Stoke but when Matteo spooned over from less than a yard out under no pressure you sensed it might not be their day.
Fuller had a bullet header easily saved by Cole who later denied Griffin when the defender tried his luck from distance. Higginbotham had a headed goal disallowed for offside and the only thing that succeeded in stopping the relentless waves of pressure for any length of time was referee Trevor Kettle.
The man in black handed out cards like they were going out of fashion. Easily the worst official we’ve had at Loftus Road this season he completely lost control of the game in the second half and found himself handing out one card after another for very little. This culminated in Timoska being sent off for two trips on Martin who went to ground very easily.
Once Timoska had gone off Bailey went to right back for Rangers but immediately Griffin sent a ball agonisingly across the face of goal and then just after Bircham replaced Bolder Fuller set up Sidibe for a simple tap in.
By this time the visitors knew the game was up and other results were not going their way. QPR looked to exploit holes in their defence and in injury time substitute Paul Furlong raced through on goal trying to finish his QPR career in style but Simonsen denied him.
The players finished with the traditional lap of honour while the visiting players slumped to the ground knowing their big day had fallen completely flat. Shame that.
Player Ratings
Jake Cole 7
Good saves from Martin and Griffin, no chance with the goal.
Sam Timoska 8
Probably a good bet for the star man award until his sending off.
Damion Stewart 8
Massive performance at the back, led a backs to the wall effort in the second half.
Dom Shimmin 7
Poor back pass almost cost us a goal in the first half but settled down and played well after that.
Marcus Bignot 7
Another captain’s knock from our most consistent player.
Martin Rowlands 8
Tireless display on the right wing, great goal, fantastic passing all day, good to see him fit and back to his best.
Adam Bolder 8
Star man
Stefan Bailey 6
Was going brilliantly until his booking, less so afterward but still promising. Must work on his passing.
Jimmy Smith 6
Did his best and worked hard wide left but it’s not his position. If he’s coming back it must be as a central player, not a winger.
Marc Nygaard 7
Excellent range of passing throughout the game, led the line well, unlucky not to score.
Dexter Blackstock 7
Worked hard for little reward, linked up well with Nygaard which is encouraging for next season.
Paul Furlong 7
Oh if only he’d scored that goal, he’s been a real legend in his time at Rangers. Sorry to see him go.
Marc Bircham 6
Came on for a final performance in Hoops, had a big lunge at Martin and set Furlong up for his big chance at the end.