QPR 2-1 Barnsley
Fitz Hall scored twice and then missed a penalty as QPR came from behind to beat Barnsley, as the season started with a win at Loftus Road.
How good it is to be back!! Okay, well we had a sneak peek at the new look Loftus Road at last weeks friendly with Chievo, but gladly, things seemed a lot more organised today. For one reason or another, the gang all arrived at different times and at different places - with Corp in Majorca, but with persistant rain all afternoon, it seems he has made the right decision? But of course, he is missing football and we arrived at our seats eagerly awaiting the kick off and indeed, the new season.
Now, I will go back briefly to the increase in Season Ticket prices and with one of the so called sweeteners, being that our names would be put on our seats for the forthcoming season. Well, despite me requesting to the box office, not to do so, there was my name, gloriously standing out on a labelled piece of sticky tape. I along with many others will no doubt be rest assured, that the extra money was certainly put to good use...
Anyway, enough of that and onto the game and the expectant crowd were silenced when Iain Hume put Barnsley ahead after only four minutes. Rangers had started nervously, no more so than debutant keeper, Radek Cerny. But for a stupid minority of R's fans to start chanting 'there's only one Lee Camp' after only 12 minutes of the game was outrageous, if not disgraceful!!
After the shaky start, Rangers got themselves back on level terms on 29 minutes - Barnsley keeper Luke Steele parried Emmanuel Ledesma's free-kick into Hall's path and he bundled the ball home at the second attempt after his first effort came back off the bar.
Just two minutes later and Loftus Road erupted - after Barnsley failed to clear a Lee Cook corner, the ball dropped to Hall near the edge of the area and the centre-back brilliantly hooked it back over his shoulder and into the far corner of the net to give the R's the lead.
From there on in, it was pretty comfortable for Rangers and Agyemang spurred and opportunity to extend the lead early in the second half. This before Darren Moore brought down the hardworking Blackstock in the box to give the R's a penalty on 58 minutes. Now, whether or not it was a gesture from his team mates, to give Fitz Hall the chance to get his hat trick, remains to be seen. But Hall saw his penalty comfortably saved by Barnsley keeper, Luke Steele. Luckily, the miss didn't end up costing us...
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Mahon, Hall, Leigertwood, Blackstock, Agyemang (Parejo 71), Gorkss, Ramage, Cook, Ledesma (Alberti 83). Subs: Camp, Connolly, Balanta
Lofty's Man of the Match - despite two goals from Fitz Hall, today's award goes to Emmanuel Jorge Ledesma, who terrorised Barnsley all afternoon. It has nothing to do with the penalty miss, honest ;o)
So, the season starts with a win and a reasonably good performance. There were a good few negatives, especially in the first half but plenty of positives also, with Ledesma's performance, Hall's goals and a very solid display from Gavin Mahon in midfield. Daniel Parejo got a twenty minute run out, which is hard to judge any player, but enough was seen in that time to suggest he is a fantastic signing!!! It must also be remembered that the R's were starting the season without the injured Vine and Buzsaky, the suspended Stewart, Di Carmine and Captain, Martin Rowlands who was ridiculously sent off in the last game against West Brom last season. But I saw enough today to feel that this could be a very exciting season with a lot more to come from these players.
It's good to be back!!
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