Team: Bulmer, Cox, ilesanmi, Smith, Harris, Wright, Parker, Davenport, German, Brittain, Jerson Dos Santos (trialist)
Subs: Bailey, Waters, Perrin, Molloy, Nanetti.
It was a bright and sunny morning at Harlington but it became increasingly colder as the wind began to bite. Christian Nanetti made way for a trialist who was later identified as Jerson Dos Santos. The game kicked off four minutes late and the R’s got off to a lively start and although not many chances were being created, Rangers had most of the possession and were passing the ball around nicely. A good cross was put out by their defender for a corner after inter-play between Smith and Brittain.
In the 20th minute, the trialist was clearly tripped in the area and Danny Davenport then scored from the penalty spot. A minute later, a great run and cross into the box by Parker was headed just wide of the post by Brittain. Wycombe were awarded a penalty which looked harsh. Some R’s players remonstrated with the referee but he had already pointed to the spot. A slick move and overlap by Josh Parker into the box and Antonio German’s shot was well saved by the keeper’s legs.
To our surprise, the referee awarded Rangers an indirect free kick just inside the box. We believe he awarded it because he adjudged that the keeper took: “more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his possession.” The result of which was Parker shooting wide. Less surprising was Joe English’s arrival five minutes before half time and the scores remained level at the break.
Another good run by Josh Parker down the right flank took him into the box but he was eventually intercepted. Dos Santos was replaced by Nanetti and it wasn’t long before a Wycombe defender was booked for fouling him. At the other end Niki Bulmer made a superb save, pushing the ball out for a corner. Rangers looked like taking the lead when following a corner, Terry Smith’s excellent header was well blocked by the keeper and the follow up effort went agonisingly wide of the post.
Danny Davenport was booked for kicking the ball away and then one of the Wycombe players was also shown a yellow card for what we assumed to be a dive ? The R’s winner came round six minutes from the end. A good cross from Joe Brittain into the box was put into the net by a Wycombe defender in his attempt to clear. QPR captain, Ed Harris was the next to be booked and Perrin came on for Davenport. Josh Parker was the last player to be booked, penalised for not retreating ten yards. This was a deserved victory which took the R’s into second place.
The Saturday Morning Crew also included Alan Barnes, Rob Bennett, Clive Kingham, Roger Stokes, Pat Harrison, Dag from Norway with the missus and eventually Joe English. It was good to see Gary and Kalitsa Parrett again supporting the team. Other news…Saturday’s U18’s match has been postponed because Luton are scheduled to play a Youth Cup tie against Millwall two days later. Big Paul posted up on our board that Ryan Myers recently had a trial with Croydon Athletic. He hasn’t had the best of luck. He went off after 25 minutes after suffering mild concussion and last year a knee injury in the very first game kept him out for the rest of the season. After a brief loan spell at Leatherhead, Harry Smart has now left QPR and is playing regularly for Woking Reserves. Good luck to them.
Steve Russell