Team: Springett, Brady(P), Nash, Hazell, Brady (R), Keen, Morgan (I), Collins, Leary, Bedford, Morgan (R).
Attendance: 5,175
The R’s had lost 0-2 at Carlisle the previous week, but the 6th November 1964 was certainly a memorable ‘Friday Night is Rangers Night’ occasion! A report of the match follows:
‘One down after 13 minutes, Rangers staged a ruthless, second-half blitzkrieg at Loftus Road on Friday night. And the man behind the goal-storm? Who else but skipper Mike Keen, the half-back whose lethal shooting power has brought him 10 goals this season, including three against Luton.
Keen stamped his personality all over this game. He slammed in two penalties with contemptuous ease, flicked in another goal with his head and laid on another two for his inside-forward Brian Bedford.
Luton took the lead in the 13th minute when Peter Springett allowed a feeble shot from Pleat to sneak into the net. And they still looked capable of taking at least one point home even after Bedford had soared above their defence to nod home the equaliser from Ian Morgan’s cross.
Then came the two disputed penalty decisions in favour of Rangers. Keen ended all controversy by planting each ball coldly and methodically into the net. Luton were down but not out. Trailing 1-3 they still weren’t prepared to concede defeat so Keen marshalled his attack and prepared to deliver the death blow. Four goals in less than 10 minutes was the result.
In the 72nd minute, Keen brought the ball upfield with the Luton defence shrinking before him. A long defence-splitting lob found Brian Bedford who had an easy chance to beat Tinsley from close range.
Three minutes later teenager Roger Morgan crashed in number five after the unhappy Tinsley had punched clear. In the 78th minute it was Keen again. His long, accurate throw-in found Bedford in an easy position to complete his hat-trick.
Just to tidy things up Keen decided to complete his own hat-trick and his perfect header from an Ian Morgan centre was a fitting climax to a night of personal glory.
Andy Beattie – the new Wolves manager – was at the game keeping an eye on Keen and right-half Tony Hazell. On this form these two must rate as the best wing-half pair in the Third Division. Small wonder that manager Alec Stock has said that they are not for sale.
Luckless Luton have now gone 16 games without a win. Before the game was over Keen, the Morgan twins, Bedford and Hazell had ripped their defence to shreds and reduced the whole side to a shell-shocked shambles.’
Two junior members were entertained as guests of the Club: W. Gamble from the local Cleverly Estate and C. J. King of Old Oak Common Lane. Also in attendance that night was the legendary Ivor Powell from Bath City, FA Cup opponents the following week.
Steve Russell
(Many thanks to Bradleyog for kindly donating his mid-60’s scrapbook and to Gordon Macey of course)
I remember this well, I was 8 eight years old. The old programme above was a part of my life back then. I had to leave all my QPR memorabilia in the UK when we emigrated to Australia in 1968.
The crowd was rocking that night. You could hear the roars at Shepherds Bush Markets.
Go you Rs.
I was there that night too.
As I have mentioned previously…a rare diamond in a season of mostly dross.
The underlying good news for the future though was that the R’s youngsters were starting to come through.
I remember this solely because I missed it and was met with the blooming obvious ‘you should have gone’. I too was 8 years old, went to the Bath City game though. Think we won 2-0 and a bit feisty if I remember correctly
‘The underlying good news for the future though was that the R‚Äôs youngsters were starting to come through.’
I was thinking just the same Young Kerrins when reading the article.
It is interesting to see how we persevered with youth over that and the following couple of seasons and it all came together in 66/7.
A lesson for us now?