Sunderland 2-1 QPR
Despite a plucky, battling performance, Rangers left the Stadium of Light empty handed as a late winner eased the Sunderland fans nerves and ultimately, gave them the points.
Well, I really do hope that the Black Cats get promotion to the Premiership. The main reason being that we don't have to make that mammoth journey again for a while! Myself, PK an Al M all got up in what seemed, the middle of the night to make the long trek up to the North East. Myself and PK shared the driving duties... okay, okay - so my contribution may only have been to reverse into the tight space just outside the Stadium! Thanks must go to the Policeman who moved the traffic cone for us to get into it ;-). Seriously, a big thanks and well done to PK - nice one mate!
After a catch up and the usual banter with friends beforehand, it was onto the game and a first half which largely belonged to the home side. It took just 7 minutes before the first goal came as Whitehead got behind Bignot and made no mistake. But as in recent games, Rangers continued to battle and on 22 minutes, we were level. Moore fed the ball through to Blackstock who touched the ball round the keeper, only to be brought down and the ref pointed to the spot. Blackstock was clearly denied a goalscoring opportunity and in any other game, the keeper would have been given his marching orders... BUT, this is Super Sunderland we are talking about and he wasn't even booked!?!
However, it mattered little shortly after as Rowlands sent the keeper the wrong way to level the scores and cue wild celebrations in the away end. Well, with the exception of the two that just couldn't hang on any longer for a visit to the toilet - sorry Vix and Joe ;-). Credit must yet again go to PK who started the chant 'that's why we're staying up!' shortly after.
Onto the second half and Rangers were more than a match for their high flying opponents. So much so that the near 40,000 crowd were so very quiet and obviously becoming very nervous. But, in the 76th minute and just as it was looking like we would hold out, Sunderland made the breakthrough - Leadbitter drilled home from the edge of the box after a free kick and the home fans suddenly woke up again!
QPR: Camp, Bignot, Cullip (Kanyuka 43), Bolder, Rowlands, Lomas (Idiakez 83), Moore (Furlong 69), Stewart, Timoska, Blackstock, Smith. Subs: Cole, Nygaard.
Lofty's Man of the Match - Damion Stewart
This was always going to be one of our toughest games in the run in and despite a narrow defeat, we were very close to winning a valuable point. The heart and passion was again there for all to see and was reflected in the ovation from the travelling faithful at the end of the game. So why Inigo Idiakez and Jimmy Smith felt the need to trudge of the field without acknowledging the fans is beyond me. Yes, we know you must be gutted, but hey, we have just travelled hundreds of miles to see you and give you tremendous support!!
The long journey home was pretty upbeat with all things considered and we were joined at the Watford gap service station by disappointed Watford fans after their 4-1 Cup Semi Final defeat against Man United. Al did however try to console them by reminding them that they could now concentrate on the league...
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