Reports

QPR	0	v	CREWE	1	FULL TIME
			Wright, J 26

15:00:00 Kickoff - fone
QPR: Miklosko, Heinola, Kulcsar, Morrow, Ready, Maddix, Rose, Murray, Sheron, Gallen, Rowland, Steiner (s), Scully (s), Plummer (s),
Crewe: Kearton, Bignot, Smith, Macauley, Walton, Charnock, Wright, J, Johnson, Little, Anthrobus, Rivers, Unsworth (s), Street (s), Collins (s),
Queens Park Rangers became the first side to lose to Crewe Alexandra in nineteen matches as, despite a massive second half effort, the Rs lost to a determined visiting team.
The Loftus Road faithful are certain to ask questions of the side's somewhat lacklustre opening half hour, as Rangers started the match as if they needed merely to offer relatively constructive approach play in order to merit a goal against division one's basement club.
The side could be said to have been guilty of not taking this game quite as seriously as they should have, early on, as Crewe started brightly and looked the more dangerous of the two sides.
It was little surprise then, when Crewe took the lead after twenty-six minutes with a beautiful goal from Jermaine Wright.
Shaun Smith lofted a long ball down the pitch, which eluded the QPR defence. Wright peeled off towards the right flank, before launching a glorious right foot shot well past the range of goalkeeper Ludo Miklosko.
Rangers sprung into life at this shock and finished the half with at least a little more vigour in their step.
The first fifteen minutes after the interval belonged to the Rs, with a good three or four chances coming their way, as players found themselves unmarked in the Crewe box.
However visiting 'keeper Jason Kearton was equal to the Rangers threat, particularly to efforts from Mike Sheron and Keith Rowland.
Crewe maintained their steadfast rearguard, as the game approached its final phase and Rangers threw everything they could into an all-out assault for an equaliser.
A last-gasp corner even saw 'keeper Ludo Miklosko add his height to the cause, as all twenty-two players squeezed into the Crewe penalty area.
But that desperate effort reaped no reward, as the final whistle came soon after that corner waas repelled, with Rangers hopes for another home win pierced by a commendably strong all-round Crewe performance.

RANGERS SUNK BY MARINERS The size of the task for the manager who will eventually take charge at QPR was made clear at Loftus Road as Rangers crashed to a home defeat against Grimsby. After the false dawn of a victory at Wolves in midweek and a first half lead against Grimsby it all came crashing down before caretaker boss Iain Dowie's eyes as the visitors came from behind to snatch the points. Dowie brought in loan signings Ludek Miklosko and Tim Breacker from West Ham for their debuts but despite a very bright start neither could prevent the alarming slide which removed QPR from a position of total control. They could have been ahead on three minutes when Paul Murray's pin-point cross was headed wide by Ian Baraclough while Breacker shot just over from 30 yards and on 15 minutes Kevin Gallen met Gavin Peacock's cross only to see his downward header beautifully saved by Aiden Davison. On 28 minutes Rangers got what they deserved as they snatched the lead. Mark Lever conceded a free kick on the left and Baraclough's teasing cross was expertly headed in by defender Danny Maddix. QPR pushed forward looking for a second but Grimsby caught them on the break to storm back into the game. Stacey Coldicott's long-range effort was superbly blocked by Karl Ready but five minutes before the break they grabbed the equaliser when a corner was only cleared as far as David Smith and his 30-yard shot beat Miklosko and flew in off the post. Rangers started the brighter after the break and could have scored three goals in the first 10 minutes. First Gallen's effort was deflected by Mike Sheron just wide with the keeper nowhere. Then Sheron wasted a chance after being put away by Ready and finally Gallen met Peacock's cross only to somehow head over. Rangers were made to pay on 50 minutes as Grimsby took the lead. Lee Nogan's shot from just outside the box was superbly saved by Miklosko but it fell invitingly for Kingsley Black to thump in the rebound. The goal seemed to drain all the confidence out of QPR and from then on it was the visitors in command with Paul Groves and Nogan both going close to extending their lead. Rangers did provide a grandstand finish as Sheron and Steve Morrow had late chances while the pace of substitutes Richard Graham and Tony Scully kept Grimsby on the back foot to the end. Chairman Chris Wright must appoint the right man to replace Ray Harford sooner rather than later if he is to stop their alarming slide down the division.	Saturday 3rd October 1998 Loftus Road ATTENDANCE:10,240 Ref:J Brandwood RANGERS 1 Maddix 28 GRIMSBY 2 Smith 40, Black 50 MIKL0SKO DAVISON MURRAY(1) MCDERMOTT BARACLOUGH(2) GALLIMORE BREACKER SMITH READY LEAVER MADDIX COLDICOTT(1) MORROW DONOVAN PEACOCK SMITH SHERON NOGAN GALLEN BLACK ROSE GROVES Subs: Subs: SLADE WIDDRINGTON(1) GRAHAM(1) DOBBIN SCULLY(2) BUTTERFIELD HUDDERSFIELD V RANGERS Saturday 17th October 1998 McAlpine Stadium ATTENDANCE: 11,276 HUDDERSFIELD 2 RANGERS 0 VAESEN MICKLOSKO JENKINS MURRAY EDWARDS BARRACLOUGH JOHNSON BREAKER MORRISON READY DYSON MADDIX BERESFORD MORROW HORNE PEACOCK STEWART SHERON ALLISON GALLEN THORNLEY ROSE Subs: Subs: PHILLIPS ROWLAND BARNES SCULLY DALTON SLADE BAGGIES RUIN FRANCIS RETURN GERRY FRANCIS' first game back in charge of Rangers had a forgettable ending at the Hawthornes as Rangers slumped to defeat away from home again, losing 2-0. It was Queens Park Rangers though that enjoyed the better of a dull first half, during which West Brom could only muster one shot on target - from the division's top hitman Lee Hughes. During this period Rangers looked more than capable of holding their own and the game had 0-0 written all over it. Mike Sheron though missed the chance to give Rangers the lead within the first minute. Sheron's shot was deflected on its way through to goal and narrowly missed the target. Kevin Gallen then saw his shot saved by keeper Kevin Miller's legs and minutes later Steve Morrow could hardly believe it as his drive was deflected off target after crashing agianst Gallen. The crowd had to wait for over an hour before they had something they could really shout about, and it came when substitute Micky Evans was fed with a ball over the top of the defence by Murphy. Evans timed his strike to perfection and had only been on the pitch for 11 minutes 1-0. Before that Kevin Kilbane had a goalwards shot from the edge of the box blocked by one of the Rangers defenders and Flynn had also spurned a great opening by shooting wide. Then the sucker punch that killed off any Rangers comeback as Murphy made the most of a corner and bundled the ball over the line for 2-0. The most West Brom had to endure from a Rangers attack was a header that Karl Ready sent narrowly over the bar, but otherwise they produced few clear cut chances and rarely troubled Millerin the second half. Lee Hughes though was frustrated throughout by Rangers keeper Lee Harper, who pounced first to save his snatchshot and then knocked his fierce drive over the bar for a corner. Francis saw his side get off to the worst possible start on his return to the club, and on this evidence few will expect him not to make some enforced changes.	Wednesday 21st October 1998 The Hawthornes ATTENDANCE: WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2 Evans 69, Murphy 82 RANGERS 0 MILLER HARPER McDERMOTT ROSE VAN BLERK BARRACLOUGH FLYNN MORROW MURPHY READY CARBON MADDIX QUINN SCULLY BORTOLAZZI PEACOCK DE FREITAS(EVANS) SHERON HUGHES GALLEN KILBANE ROWLAND(SLADE) Subs: Subs: EVANS MURRAY SNEEKES KULSCAR MARDON SLADE TABLE width=440>
OXFORD	4	v	QPR	1	FULL TIME
Beauchamp 15			Scully 89
Murphy 64
Thomson 72
Windass 75

15:00:00 Kickoff - fone

Oxford took full advantage of Rangers latest lackluster performance away from home to pick up all three points with a convincing 4-1 win. The travelling Rangers fans were so incensed by the display that calls for Ray Harford's head began to sound out at the end of 90 minutes.
There were five minutes on the clock when Dean Windass tried his luck from 30 yards but his attempt flew just over the bar.
However Oxford took the lead in the 15th minute as Simon Marsh's shot proved too hot for Lee Harper to hold and Joey Beauchamp was perfectly placed to convert the follow up.
Steve Slade thought he had put Rangers on terms only to see his 'goal' ruled out as Wolstenholme ruled he had fouled Phil Whelan.
Oxford continued to press though and went close on a couple of occasions through Dean Windass.
Rangers tried to hit back in the second half with Slade going close early on but then a mistake by Lee Harper let Oxford in for the killer blow. His clearance rebounded off Thomson and Matt Murphey was on hand to put the ball in the back of the net.
Simon Marsh's cross was glanced home by Andy Thomson and 15 minutes from time the job was complete as Dean Windass capped off an impressive performance with a curling shot past Harper into the corner to make it 4-0. Rangers' only replay was a consolation from Tony Scully who grabbed his first goal for QPR with a volley from the edge of the area a minute from time.

Rangers Left Reeling by a Sting in the Tail - Watford 2, QPR 1

It is to be hoped that Watford's late winner, on 85 minutes, will prove to be a "quick death" for Ray Harford; and not a slow-acting poison that will prolong the agony over the next few weeks for anyone who holds QPR close to their hearts.

But even if, as has been rumoured all week, Harford's demise as manager is almost upon us, the situation at Loftus Road makes grim reading for the next incumbent.

This was our fourth consecutive Away defeat this Season.

We are bottom of the table with only three points from seven games.

We will be relegated by Christmas if this nightmare continues.

Anybody out there got a cunning plan and a big chequebook?

Norwich City 4 QPR 2

Saturday 22nd August 1998

A frantic opening 10 minutes saw QPR fall 3-1 behind and forced the team to chase the game for the rest of the match. Bellamy was sent through by O'Neill in the first minute to shoot past Lee Harper. A couple of minutes later the referee judged Marshall to have brought down Scully when he was through on goal, but although the penalty was awarded the keeper was only booked. Doh! Peacock put the penalty away cooly. Two minutes after that Harper made a mess of collecting a harmless looking ball and in the ensuing melee Rowland was judged to have tripped Grant. Bellamy scored his second from the spot. Jackson made it 3 after Eadie had hit the post and then things calmed down a bit.

Sheron and Gallen held the ball up well and Peacock linked well with the front players, but QPR seemed to have been told that every ball was to go wide to Scully on the right. Finally this paid off when Scully played Gallen through who cut back for Sheron to lash the ball home through a crowded penalty area.

10 minutes into the second half Bellamy dived over Yates challenge to the anger of the traveling fans, before picking himself up and completing his hat trick for the spot. Once again Slade was brought on for Yates in an attempt to salvage something and Ready made a few sorties up front but to no avail.

QPR (5-3-2 later 4-3-3): Harper, Heinola (Rose), Yates (Slade), Maddix, Ready, Scully, Murray, Peacock, Gallen, Sheron

H1>Walsall 0, QPR 0

Tuesday 11th August 1998

Rangers again played 5 at the back away against a Walsall

QPR 0, Bristol City 1

Saturday 15th August 1998

Karl Ready scored in the third minute of injury time to earn a draw against a City team that thought they had all three points in the bag. Playing five at the back again Rangers looked comfortable and in control until Yates was caught in procession and Hewlett scored after 28 minutes. After that QPR were dire, shifting formation in a bid to find some penetration but again and again the forwards dwelt too long on the ball or wouldn't take the half chances offered. Finally Karl Ready popped up as centre forward to stroke home a wonderful goal and silence the City fans who had outsung most of the Rs all afternoon.

QPR (5-3-2 then 4-3-3 then 3-4-3): Harper, Heinola, Yates (Slade), Maddix, Ready, Barrowclough, Murray, Peacock, Scully, Sheron, Gallen (Rowland).

< side who could easily have nicked the game as it was clear that there was no way that QPR were going to score. Ready had one effort cleared off the line, Peacock had one decent long range shot and Gallen missed a sitter in the second half. Horribly reminiscent of last season.

QPR (5-3-2): Harper, Heinola, Barrowclough, Yates, Ready, Maddix, Murray, Peacock, Scully, Gallen (Slade), Sheron. SUBS (not used): Bankole, Kulcsar, Rose, Rowland.

Sunderland 1, QPR 0

Saturday 8th August 1998

Rangers were unlucky to not come away with a point form the 'Stadium of Light' as a dubious refereeing decision gave Sunderland the game. A much improved defense kept most of the home team's efforts on goal to long range shots and Lee Harper mopped up everything that came at him. Playing Gallen alone up front with breaking support from Peacock, Murray and particularly Scully, Rangers kept 10 men behind the ball whenever Sunderland had the ball and looked much more comfortable in this role than last season.

The goal came in the 75th minute when a high ball into the area was claimed by Harper who was then clattered by Quinn. The referee allowed play to continue and Ball attempted to poke the loose ball home causing Barrowclough to handle and get sent of for his pains. Phillips scored from the spot. In an attempt to get something from the match Slade came on for Yates a few minutes later and a more attacking approach was employed but to no avail.

Despite another loss in the first match, this was a display that gave some hope for the rest of the campaign, bearing in mind Sunderland are seen as promotion certainties by the bookies. And we made lots of noise!

QPR (5-4-1 later 4-4-2): Harper, Heinola, Barrowclough, Yates (Slade 80), Ready, Maddix, Murray, Peacock, Rowland, Gallen, Scully SUBS (not used): Kulcsar, Rose.

Score: QPR 0 Bury 1