Post by Nik *QPR* on Nov 26, 2006 10:58:13 GMT -1
Queens Park Rangers came crashing back down to Earth today after a richly undeserved 1-0 defeat to Coventry City. It was the first game since John Gregory has taken over that Rangers failed to find the net!
Manager Gregory made only one change from the side from the one that beat Cardiff City 1-0 last friday to earn the Superhoops the Sky Sports performance of the week, with Nick Ward coming in for the injured Gareth Ainsworth.
Rangers started brightly with Stewart heading Lee Cook's second minute cross from the left well over the bar before Coventry had their first effort, Cameron's shot from fully 30 yards being saved comfortably by Royce.
That effort seemed to spur Coventry on and Rangers were fortunate when Richard Duffy's 7th minute cross evaded everyone and flew wide. It was the same again 4 minutes later, when debutant Darren Currie put in an excellent ball which again could not be met by any of the red shirted Coventry players arriving in the box.
Rangers really should have been 1-0 down just after that when Stefan Bailey, not for the first time, needlessly gave the ball away to Adebola who really should have scored but his tame effort was easily stopped by Royce. Coventry continued to create chances and Cameron skewed a great chance well wide after Adebola's fine pass.
QPR finally got going and when Nick Ward cut inside from the left, he was unlucky to see his shot deflected just wide of Andy Marshall's left post!
Play was swaying from end to end and QPR were lucky still to be level when Michael Doyle's header was deflected wide.
QPR's midfield dynamo Lee Cook was getting more and more into proceedings, but time after time his excellent crosses from the left hand side could not be converted by Blackstock or Nygaard.
Blackstock did have an effort on goal just before half time but Marshall got down well to save at his near post before Jimmy Smith's cross was headed inches wide by Zesh Rehman as QPR finished the half strongly.
Just before half time Blackstock, who had taken two knocks previously went off injured and was replaced by Ray Jones who nearly made an immediate impact, his left footed shot crept just wide when the striker would have felt he should have hit the target.
With half time approaching, Cook having beaten 3 defenders with a fantastic run had a shot which Marshall did very well to save!
Coventry started the second half brightly and went in front when Dele Adebola turned Zesh Rehman and fired a shot past Royce to send the travelling support crazy!
Rangers almost hit back straight away and another sumptuous cross from Lee Cook was headed against the bar by Nygaard.
Coventry could have sealed it 6 minutes later, but Currie headed over from 6 yards having got away from Mancienne.
After that though it was all Rangers, Gregory reacted by bringing on Kevin Gallen and Martin Rowlands for the largely dissapointing Bailey and the at times unlucky Nygaard.
Gallen fired a shot from fully 25 yards over the bar, before Cook's freekick came extremely close to beating Marshall, the ball just flying over.
Smith then fired over from 20 yards, before the referee felt the wrath of the home fans, when COok was clearly fouled, only for the referee, not for the first time, gave nothing!
Rangers were getting closer and Marshall needed two attempts to save another Gallen effort before Ray Jones just failed to connect to Marcus Bignot's cross.
Rangers were throwing everything at City now and Royce even came up for a corner, though it came to no avail and QPR lost their first game in 6, when they looked good value for a point at least!
Manager Gregory made only one change from the side from the one that beat Cardiff City 1-0 last friday to earn the Superhoops the Sky Sports performance of the week, with Nick Ward coming in for the injured Gareth Ainsworth.
Rangers started brightly with Stewart heading Lee Cook's second minute cross from the left well over the bar before Coventry had their first effort, Cameron's shot from fully 30 yards being saved comfortably by Royce.
That effort seemed to spur Coventry on and Rangers were fortunate when Richard Duffy's 7th minute cross evaded everyone and flew wide. It was the same again 4 minutes later, when debutant Darren Currie put in an excellent ball which again could not be met by any of the red shirted Coventry players arriving in the box.
Rangers really should have been 1-0 down just after that when Stefan Bailey, not for the first time, needlessly gave the ball away to Adebola who really should have scored but his tame effort was easily stopped by Royce. Coventry continued to create chances and Cameron skewed a great chance well wide after Adebola's fine pass.
QPR finally got going and when Nick Ward cut inside from the left, he was unlucky to see his shot deflected just wide of Andy Marshall's left post!
Play was swaying from end to end and QPR were lucky still to be level when Michael Doyle's header was deflected wide.
QPR's midfield dynamo Lee Cook was getting more and more into proceedings, but time after time his excellent crosses from the left hand side could not be converted by Blackstock or Nygaard.
Blackstock did have an effort on goal just before half time but Marshall got down well to save at his near post before Jimmy Smith's cross was headed inches wide by Zesh Rehman as QPR finished the half strongly.
Just before half time Blackstock, who had taken two knocks previously went off injured and was replaced by Ray Jones who nearly made an immediate impact, his left footed shot crept just wide when the striker would have felt he should have hit the target.
With half time approaching, Cook having beaten 3 defenders with a fantastic run had a shot which Marshall did very well to save!
Coventry started the second half brightly and went in front when Dele Adebola turned Zesh Rehman and fired a shot past Royce to send the travelling support crazy!
Rangers almost hit back straight away and another sumptuous cross from Lee Cook was headed against the bar by Nygaard.
Coventry could have sealed it 6 minutes later, but Currie headed over from 6 yards having got away from Mancienne.
After that though it was all Rangers, Gregory reacted by bringing on Kevin Gallen and Martin Rowlands for the largely dissapointing Bailey and the at times unlucky Nygaard.
Gallen fired a shot from fully 25 yards over the bar, before Cook's freekick came extremely close to beating Marshall, the ball just flying over.
Smith then fired over from 20 yards, before the referee felt the wrath of the home fans, when COok was clearly fouled, only for the referee, not for the first time, gave nothing!
Rangers were getting closer and Marshall needed two attempts to save another Gallen effort before Ray Jones just failed to connect to Marcus Bignot's cross.
Rangers were throwing everything at City now and Royce even came up for a corner, though it came to no avail and QPR lost their first game in 6, when they looked good value for a point at least!
