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[Steve Russell]

QPR (3) – Watford (2) – ‘Unbeaten Rangers Hold Out’

Team: Cunningham, Sweetman, Young, McNab, Cockburn, Coward, Armstrong, Goddard,
Burns, Rounce, Smith
Attendance: 18,263

On 6th October 1928, Rangers took on Watford at Loftus Road. The following match report
appeared in the Daily News two days later:

‘The Rangers had something of a shock at Shepherd’s Bush, where they preserved their unbeaten
record by defeating Watford by three goals to two.

They had been infinitely superior in the first-half, and had the commanding lead of three goals,
but, bothered by sunshine afterwards, they had to defend a lot.

The home forwards were much too quick and clever for the opposing defence, which, despite the
presence of Barson, never inspired much confidence, and they took the lead through Goddard.

A second goal came to the home side when McNab scored with a high, dropping shot, which Yates
should have saved, and Coward obtained the third goal.

In the first minute of the second-half, McPherson scored for Watford, and subsequently the visitors
did a lot of attacking.

Their second goal came by the aid of a penalty kick, awarded following a desperate scrimmage in
front of the Rangers’ goal. McPherson was the scorer.’

Music was provided once again by the Willesden Town Silver Prize Band.

Rangers also had a third team who were to compete in the Metropolitan Midweek League. The first
home match was played the following Thursday against Leyton Garage, kick-off 3.15.

Admission was 6d to any part of the ground, via the Ellerslie Road entrance. Other teams included;
West Ham, Lombardians, L.C.C. Trams and a number of Divisional Police sides.

The match programme also noted that the Reserves had beaten Southampton 8-2 at Loftus Road the
previous Saturday, with goals from; Foster 4, Vallance 2, Whatmore 2.

The 1st team’s unbeaten run came to an abrupt end the following Saturday with a 1-3 defeat at Walsall.

(Thanks to Sammy for lending me the match programme and also to Colin Woodley for unearthing the match
programme)