FA Cup 3rd Round
Team: Parkes, Clement, Gillard, Hollins, McLintock, Webb, Masson, Leach, Bowles, Eastoe, Givens
Attendance: 18,285
Rangers took on Shrewsbury Town in an FA Cup tie at Loftus Road on 8th January 1977. Denis Compton later filed the following match report:
‘QPR were given the fright of their lives before going through into the next round. Shrewsbury were magnificent in defeat and might well have forced a replay.
Rangers’ manager Dave Sexton said after the game: “This was a hell of a battle for us and I was tremendously impressed with this Shrewsbury team. They are a very well organised side with splendid skills.”
There is no doubt that Shrewsbury dominated the first-half. They had the QPR defence in constant confusion with 20-year-old Sammy Irvine and Graham Turner star performers.
Rangers’ keeper Phil Parkes made two masterly saves from Paul Maguire and Mike Kearney.
Yet one always felt that Stanley Bowles would be Rangers’ salvation with his magnificent footwork and creative talents.
Against the run of play, QPR went ahead after 50 minutesthrough Peter Eastoe playing in his first game in front of his home crowd. He fastened on to a ball down the left and crossed accurately for Bowles to volley the ball home.
Shrewsbury equalised 12 minutes later. Hornsby slipped a short free kick to Ian Atkins, and his terrific shot from 25-yards was deflected by Phil Bates past Parkes.
The visitors’ exuberance, however, did not last long. For once their defence hesitated and Peter Eastoe was able to slip a ball square to Don Givens, who slotted the ball home from close range.
Shrewsbury came back like lions and in the closing-stages missed two good chances.
Manager Alan Durban said afterwards: “I was very proud of my team, but I felt that we needed a goal in the first 30 minutes, which we failed to get.”
Rangers lost one-nil at Old Trafford in the next round.
Steve Russell
When you look at the quality of that team it makes you weep to see what passes for a team now.
Was at the game and we were involved in non cup run scenarios even then!
I was at this game and the the next round at Old Trafford when we were the better team against Man Utd and should have won. We hit the woodwork twice.