In what is unchartered territory for QPR in recent years, QPR's reward for beating Carlisle in Round 2, is a trip to Premier League, Aston Villa in Round Three.
Villa enter the competition at this stage owing to their involvement in the UEFA Cup and the game will be played week commencing 22nd September.
As mentioned, I thought I would try something different yesterday by attempting to write a brief report of Rangers excellent point at Bristol City, whilst on the way home from Ashton Gate and no SB, it wasn't me doing the driving, hehe. The thing with doing that is, that there are no pictures etc and also, finer detail maybe missed. So, by now we have all reflected, read the papers and seen the Championship on ITV, so there is little more I can fill you in on but a few pics and bits and pieces... On the result, R's Boss, Iain Dowie said;
I thought we shaded it in the first half. I know it's only a point but it's an important point. It was two good football sides and they'll cause you problems but other than Dele Adebola's header we were fairly comfortable. I thought our defending was outstanding. We know we have quality players, but you also need resilience in the Championship.
The sending off of Emmanuel Ledesma;
I don't know why he got booked in the first half. He throws the ball to the man; the man lets it go and its Ledesma's fault. I'll be having a look at the video. Their player deliberately jumped out of the way of the ball to make it look worse than it was. After that Emmanuel showed his inexperience with a silly tackle to get himself sent off.
And on striker and Lofty's Man of the Match, Dexter Blackstock's performance;
Dexter has been on his deathbed all week but he did very well and worked very hard up top on his own.
This is a lofty heights first as I am writing this in the car on the way home, so apologies in advance for any mistakes. In fact, this won't be a full report as I already have had this system crash on me once. Anyway, moving swiftly on...
Rangers came away from Ashton Gate with a creditable point with a more that creditable performance. This despite playing the last half an hour with ten men following the sending off of Emmanuel Ledesma. Dexter Blackstock gave Rangers a deserved lead in the firt half and a well deserved goal it was too from the R's striker. City levelled it up before the break through yet another striker who seems to score customary goals against QPR, Dele Adebola. But, in truth, City would have been the happier of the two sides to be going in at half time at 1-1. The second half started lively enough, but the final outcome was probably determined when the referee, who was without a doubt the worst we have encountered this season, decided to give midweek hat trick hero, Emmanuel Ledesma a second yellow card, leaving the R's to play the last 30 minutes or so with ten men. Although, Rangers held their own and continued to try and play football, City, as you would expect put us under pressure towards the end and would have claimed all three points but for a world class save from Radek Cerny, from Adebola's header.
Lofty's Man of the Match - Dexter Blackstock
In summary, this was a very good result and performance from Rangers and I think most R's fans would have taken a point before the game. Well, I hope this has come out okay but for now, I am calling it a day. More detail and photos will follow tomorrow...
Goals from Damion Stewart and a stunning hat-trick from Emmanuel Ledesma, saw Rangers storm into Round 3 of the Carling Cup and I think, that this now definately, can be considered as a Cup Run...
With Corp still on his sick bed (get well soon mate) and PK deciding against rushing around after a hard day's graft, it was just myself, California Hoop and Mrs California Hoop in attendance tonight and boy, I bet PK had wished he had made the extra effort now!!
Rangers played some good stuff and created many chances against their high flying opponents in the first half, but both teams went in level at the break. Onto the second half and cue Emmanuel Ledesma...
The Argentinian midfielders corner was headed home by Damion Stewart on 48 minutes to give the R's a deserved lead. Ledesma doubled the lead on 56 minutes after turning his marker before firing a left-foot rocket into the corner.
From there on, it was the Emmanuel Ledesma show and on 63 minutes, Parejo's lay off found the hitman in space and he lashed it past despairing keeper Williams to make it 3-0. Ledesma completed the rout on 85 minutes after he cleverly chipped Williams following great work from Balanta, to complete a superb hat-trick.
Lofty's Man of the Match - Emmanuel Ledesma, if you hadn't guessed already ;o)
There is not a lot more I can add this evening after witnessing a great second half's worth of football and one of the best hat-tricks I have seen at Loftus Road. It's four wins out of five for Iain Dowie and QPR now and a place in the 3rd Round of the Carling Cup - Happy Days!!!
Today marks the first anniversary of the death of QPR striker Ray Jones, who was tragically killed in a motor accident 12 months ago, after his car was involved in an accident in East Ham. He was just 18.
Formely of Dog Chewed The Handle, Lee Van Sargeant and our very own, Gareth Ainsworth performed their own song as a tribute and in honour of Ray. I managed to catch the moving moment on video at a gig in Ruislip and would again, like to share with you all. New Star
I and indeed all friends and readers of Lofty Heights extends their deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Ray at this sad time.
'THOSE WE HAVE HELD CLOSE TO OUR HEARTS, WILL BE THERE FOREVER...'
QPR did the memory of Ray Jones proud with a comfortable 2-0 win over newly promoted Doncaster Rovers. Dexter Blackstock and Emmanuel Ledesma were the scorers in the game that marked the year anniversary of the death of striker Jones who was tragically killed in a car accident.
Before I continue, I must just say a big GET WELL SOON!!! to Corp, who suffered a nasty neck injury whilst on holiday and couldn't be at the game today - can't wait to see you back mate! His and indeed, PK's nephew Craig took his place today, but I won't mention who he actually supports at this time...
Anyway, onto the game which was a complete carbon copy of last weeks showing at Sheffied United as QPR turned in their best performance of the season so far. The visit to Bramall Lane will soon become just a distant memory, I'm sure. Rangers were ahead on just 5 minutes - Daniel Parejo floated over a free-kick that was stroked home by Dexter Blackstock who raised his black armband and kissed it, dedicating his goal to his close friend Ray - a very moving moment I must say!
Parejo and Ledesma were bossing the midfield as Rangers continued to create chances. Parejo really should have had his first goal for the R's but headed narrowly over from close range. But the second goal wasn't long in coming and on 28 minutes - Stewart found Ledesma in acres of space and the Argentinian midfielder cooly slotted home his first goal for Rangers.
Further chances fell to Stewart and Ledesma and despite some neat and tidy football form Doncaster, they never really threatened in the final third and that continued in the second half. Rangers were extremely comfortable against a Doncaster side who had come to Loftus Road in good form and although the second half wasn't as upbeat as the first, Rangers saw the game out well and could have extended the lead through substitute Balanta.
Lofty's Man of the Match - I have struggled with this one with many good performances throughout. Gavin Mahon was oustanding on his return to the team and Daniel Parejo had a fine match in the heart of the Rangers midfield. Matt Connolly slotted in for the injured Fitz Hall and looked more than at home as centre back. But I just can't call a final result between the two so the award this week goes to both Emmanuel Ledesma and Dexter Blackstock.
As mentioned, with this performance, Sheffield United is becoming a distant memory and this was the R's best performance of the season so far and a fitting tribute to the memory of Ray Jones.
It was also great to see the return of Captain, Martin Rowlands who replaced Parejo in the second half. With Buzsaky and Vine still to return, Iain Dowie will find himself with a huge headache before long. A nice problem to have though as I'm sure he will agree...
QPR got a huge reality check as a Billy Sharp hat trick gave the Blades an extremely comfortable win at Bramall Lane on Saturday and brought the R's back down to earth with a massive bump!!
The day started well enough with myself, PK and the returning Darren, setting off just after 10am and despite a minor hold up on the M1, arrived in plenty of time for some pre match food and drink. Due to QPR's raising their profile, such to speak, instead of finding a pub, we thought we would do what we did last year and take in the excellent 'Hellas Cafe Bar', in which we enjoyed a bistro type lunch and some cold bottled beers before the short walk to the stadium - which from there on in, the day went downhill, rapidly.
There is no way to sugar coat it, this was a shocking performance from Rangers, who went a goal behind on just two minutes - Halford hurled in a long throw and striker Darius Henderson flick-headed the ball into the danger area to find Sharp, 'unmarked' to stoop and place his header out of Radek Cerny's reach. Ten minutes later and it was 2-0 - Mikele Leigertwood dithered and veteran Gary Speed stole the ball. He angled an ball for Sharp who let's be honest, after a big money move fromScunthorpe last year, couldn't hit a barn door from the inside last season! He raced into space leaving Rangers trailing and rifled a cool shot past Cerny and Rangers went into the break fortunate to be just 2 goals down.
Six minutes into the second half and it was game over - Sharp finally added his third goal when he stabbed the ball in from close range after Cerny flapped at a Tonge corner. The best it got for Rangers was during a brief 20 minute spell, when Ledesma struck the Blades post from outside the box and Blackstock was denied at the rebound by a great tackle from Ehiogu.
Don't get me wrong, Sheffield United are a decent outfit and this was always going to be a tough game for Rangers. But, as mentioned, this was a HUGE reality check for the R's and many questions could be asked of Iain Dowie's team selection against an as always, physical Sheffield United side? The back four looked like they had never met before and plenty of work needs to be done before the visit of Doncaster to Loftus Road. Personally, I am not worrying just yet as with all the expectation surrounding the club at the moment, this heavy defeat may well do us some good in the long run. One of Dowie's favourite quotes is 'bouncebackability'. Let's hope we see some next Saturday!
