QPR (2nd in D2, 23 pts from 12) v. Kidderminster Harriers (23rd in D3, 11 pts from 13) LDV Vans Trophy -- 1st Round (Southern Section) ------ 14 October, 7:45 p.m. Loftus Road ------ Rangers news: With a weekend off, Rangers' squad has begun to round into some semblance of full fitness. Carlisle -- available and "hopeful of playing some part." McLeod -- should be available. Edghill -- should be available. Shittu is still out, but said to be recovering well, while Rose has begun his "pre-season" and is expected to join full training in three weeks. No other injuries reported. http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~437074,00.html Marc Bircham started and went 90 for Canada in a 2-3 loss at Finland on Satuday. http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/media/viewArtical.asp?Press_ID=1501 The Series: According to Soccerbase, this is the first ever meeting between QPR and Kidderminster Harriers. The Opponent: Kidderminster lost 1-2 at home to Southend this weekend. A home win against Carlisle preceded that, but before that win they went nine straight without a win in the league (7 losses, 2 draws). The Referee: Iain Williamson will referee. He's worked 3 D2, 4 D3 and 1 CC match this year, issuing 25 yellows and 0 reds in the 8 matches. This appears to be only his second year as a Football League referee. He worked the 4-1 QPR home win v. Cheltenham last year. He worked two Kidderminster losses last season (1 home, 1 away). Other Notes: The LDV Vans Trophy will be played with the "Silver Goal" rule. If the game goes to extra-time, a team leading at the end of the first 15 minute period is the winner. If it's still even after 15, they play a second 15 before going to penalties. http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/today/view/breaking_news_detail/0,,10794~437199,00.html
Holloway has decided to make this match more-or-less a reserve match. Our lineup... Culkin, Barton, Forbes, Gnohere, Padula, Rowlands, Bean, Bircham, Sabin, Pacquette, Oli Bench is Palmer, Thorpe, Gallen, Ainsworth, and Furlong, so if we happen to fall behind, we've got plenty of firepower there. I'm a bit surprised that Carlisle isn't at least on the bench. I figured he'd get Clarke a few minutes tonight. Still 0:0, about 10 minutes in. R's are having the better of it.
Once again, thank you from all of us stuck in the office even though it's a great day out and my clubs are in the car but I better not leave the office because there is work to do people for the game updates.
GOOOOOAALLL! Pacquette scores!!! The pass was from Sabin! With 6 minutes to go to halftime, it's QPR 1:0 Kidderminster Harriers. (and no problem -- sorry I can do more frequent updates, but I've got something I've got to finish here -- I'll update any major events).
QPR 1:0 Kidderminster Harriers Halftime Goals: Pacquette 40' Yellows: Pacquette 36' Sabin 45+' None for Kidderminster In other games: Carlisle, bottom of the whole Football League with just 5 points from 13 matches in league play in the Third Division, is up 1:0 on Rochdale at halftime. Trophy Holders Bristol City are down 0:2 at Plymouth Argyle.
With about 15-17 minutes to go, Gallen and Thorpe come on for Pacquette and Oli. Kidderminster has already made two subs. It's mostly QPR here, without Kidderminster much looking like they're going to draw even.
Palmer on for Bircham in the 80th minute. Just a minute or two later... GOOOAAAALLL! Of all people, Arthur Gnohere scores! QPR 2:0 Kidderminster Harriers
FINAL QPR 2:0 Kidderminster Harriers 3,571 in attendance. Our Second Round match should take place on November 5 (or 4?). That's between our match at Stockport County (1 Nov) and our First Round match in the FA Cup (8 Nov).
Thanks for the updates...always appreciated. I'm really getting used to this winning thing. Hopefully QPR's winning ways continue the rest of the year.
You're welcome. And, no kidding, winning sure is fun. Counting Division Two, Carling Cup and LDV Vans, QPR now has 9 wins, 5 draws, and 1 loss on the season! Next up: two more road matches -- 19th place Peterborough United (10/18) and 3rd place Port Vale (10/21) -- before returning to Loftus Road.
This is a pretty important trip, IMO. A landmine game against a side we should beat, home or away, and a tough road game against one of the division's top teams so far. It was around this time last year that the R's began their mid-season slide that saw them fall out of competition for auto promotion, forcing us to go the playoff route. And we all remember how that turned out. Come on you Rs.