Robins 1-1 QPR. Woodwork comes to Hoops rescue!

By Peegs
October 19 2002

Cheltenham came from a goal behind to claim a point at home to QPR. Grant McCann also hit the woodwork twice and Clarke Carlisle was sent off for a head butt. Before I forget the QPR fans decided to chuck missiles on the pitch when things wernt going there way, tut tut!

Cheltenham made 3 changes from the team who lost to Luton last weekend. Tony Naylor who was suffwering a slight ham string strain was replaced by Brayson. Naylor took his place on the bench. Grant McCann returning from International Duty with Northern Ireland came in for Milton and Devaney suprisingly played right wing inplace of Williams.

The QPR team included the likes of Kevin Gallen, Danny Shittu, ex Leicester Goalie Simon Royce, Richard Langley and on-laon Arsenal youngster Jerome Thomas. An exclusion from the squad was Paul Furlong, not sure where he was!

QPR nearly took the lead after 2 minutes with their first attack. Jerome Thomas broke through the midfield and slipped a pass through to Gallen, he shot and Book saved and Finniagn cleared the ball off the line before a number of QPR players could follow up.

With 5 minutes gone Cheltenham came within inches of scoring. A free kick 25 yards out was lined up by McCann, He curved the ball over the wall and to Royce's left but it struck the post and rebounded across goal. Again if we had luck on our side it would be 1-0 to the Town.

With 10 minutes on the clock the "Hoops" took the lead, and we gave the goal to them on a plate. Finniagn who found himself in the left back position, cleared the ball across the area and to Thomas 20 yards out, he struck a suberb curling and dipping shot past Book and into the left hand side of the net. It was a goal that could've easily been avoided.

Devaney had a couple of chances to put Town level, firstly a cross by Brayson just failed to reach him then a powerful shot was blocked by the chest of Richard Langley. It actually looked like his hand from the C and G but I am slightly biased!

Alsop nearly scored a bizzare goal on the half hour when he charged down a clearance by Royce, as the ball fell loose it was a race to get to it between Alsop and Carlisle but the QPR defender got to the ball first and cleared.

Cheltenham had 2 long range efforts that went close. Firstly John Finnigan struck from 15 yards but Royce was able to claim and then Richard Forsyth - making his home debut- hit a hsot from a similar range that Royce had to accrobatically tip over. It was a tremendous save.

1-0 down at half time and we didnt really deserve to be down. The robins had more chances, hit the wood work and basically set up the QPR goal. We had to perservere and try and silence the large away following.

H/T 0-1

Richard Langley so nearly gave Rangers a 2 goal lead with a quite stunning effort. The ball sat up for him nicely 25 yards out and he walloped a volley towards goal that went narrowly wide, Book was nowhere near it.

On 60 minutes frustration levels at Whaddon Road rise to an all time high. McCann - who for today will be called Beckham - curled a free kick from 25 yards against the cross bar, the ball rebounded out but the follow up shot was sent wide. McCann is available in the summer on a Bosman and is a player we should definetly sign.

Alsop sent a shot straight at Royce - who kicking was 1st class all day, straight dead centre every time, was Steve Book taking notes! - when he maybe should've done better.

The Robins were all over the Hoops and deservedly equalised on 64 minutes. Shittu was robbed of the ball by Grant McCann, he played a neat one two with Brayson before crossing for Devaney who scored from 6 yards. They celebrated infront of the C and G which went mental. Just wish it wowuldnt take a goal to wake the majority up!!!!

With things going wrong for QPR, Jerome Thomas got in a huff and decided to throw Howarth to the floor, he only received a yellow card for his actions but isnt raising your hands a sending off offence? Who knows with ref's these days!

Moment later Tony Naylor replaced Brayson. One time he out jumped the massive Shittu and played a sexy back heel to Alsop, it was like something out of the Premiership, a moment of magic like this was needed to add the winning goal and claim 3 valuable points.

12 minutes from time the ref did get the Red card out of his pocket, QPR one a corner and as the players were getting into there positions Clarke Carlise seemed to head butt Julian Alsop, the ref was left with no choice but to Red card him. There after many missiles were aimed onto the pitch, we'll await what action the FA take on this incident.

Tony Naylor almost grabbed all 3 points for Town with 7 minutes left. Finnigan - who in my opinion had a great game- sent a through ball to Nyalor, he shot from 18 yards and Royce made a fantasic save to divert the ball wide.

So th game ended 1-1. Before the game I would've bitten your hand off for that result but looking back on the evidence it is a tad dissapointing. We set up there goal, we hit the word work twice, had numerous efforts brilliantly saved by Royce and for large periods of the game.

Allner should keep the same team next week away at Northampton. Remember this game is quid a kid so a perfect opportunity for a family day out supporting the Robins. Get here and help the Robins gain 3 points!

F/T 1-1

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Book, Howarth, Duff, Walker, Victory, McCann, Forsyth, Finnigan, Devaney, Alsop, Brayson (Naylor 66)

QUEENS PARK RANGERS: Royce, Forbes, Shittu, Carlisle, Williams, Rose, Langley, Palmer, Thomas, Connolly (Oli 86), Gallen ( Thomson 57)

Attendance 6382