QPR 1 Coventry 1 - 10/01/2009
QPR 1 Coventry 1 - 10/01/2009
QPR: Radek Cerny, Kaspars Gorkss, Matthew Connolly, Damion Stewart, Damien Delaney (Emmanuel Jorge Ledesma 73), Hogan Ephraim (Fitz Hall 89), Wayne Routledge, Mikele Leigertwood (Samuel Di Carmine 81), Martin Rowlands, Heidar Helguson, Dexter Blackstock
Subs not used: Matteo Alberti, Gavin Mahon
Booked: Heidar Helguson 72, Wayne Routledge 66
Goals: Dexter Blackstock 87
Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Stephen Wright, Daniel Fox, Ben Turner, Guillaume Beuzelin, Aron Gunnarsson, Jay Tabb, Michael Doyle, Michael Mifsud (Freddy Eastwood 84), Clinton Morrison, Leon Best (Leon McKenzie 66)
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Kevin Thornton, Curtis Wynter
Booked: Stephen Wright 24, Daniel Fox 56, Keiren Westwood 90, Aron Gunnarsson 62
Sent off: Stephen Wright 37
Goals: Daniel Fox 73
Attendance: 13330
Referee: K Stroud
Teamtalk
Dexter Blackstock rescued a point for QPR as they made hard work of breaking down 10-man Coventry before earning a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road.
Blackstock struck three minutes from time to earn the hosts a point against the Sky Blues, who took the lead in the Championship clash when Daniel Fox's free-kick somehow found its way under Radek Cerny.
City looked like taking home the spoils from Loftus Road for the fourth season in a row when Fox netted in the 73rd minute, a goal made even more impressive following Stephen Wright's dismissal for the visitors eight minutes before the break.
The City defender was shown a straight red card for a high lunge on Heidar Helguson but the hosts failed to make enough of their numerical advantage as they struggled to create openings thereafter.
Helguson and Blackstock spurned good chances for the hosts before the latter finally equalised in the dying minutes.
The hosts started brightly and had the first shot in earnest when Helguson, who signed a permanent deal in the week, sent a hooked shot over the bar.
At the other end, Clinton Morrison failed to trouble Cerny with a wild volley which he sent over.
Both sides started to press forward with intent and it was the hosts who almost broke the deadlock in the 16th minute as Helguson drilled a rasping volley just over following Blackstock's knock down.
Wayne Routledge looked the most effective attacking outlet for Rangers and his trickery on the wing was causing the City defence all sorts of problems.
More often than not, though, the former England Under-21 international was hampered by the lack of movement from the R's strikers who were stifled out by the stoic City backline.
A potentially decisive moment in the match came after 37 minutes when Wright was sent off for his challenge on Helguson.
As expected, the R's held the lion's share of possession after the break, but rather than pushing home their numerical advantage they lacked any initiative going forward and were restricted to long-range efforts.
On the few occasions Rangers did manage to break the City defence, the finish was lacking and Helguson was again guilty of wasting a good chance when he headed straight at Westwood from six yards.
It was then Blackstock's turn to spurn a good opening minutes later as he dragged a shot wide when clean through.
The hosts were then hit by a sucker punch as City took the lead in the 73rd minute totally against the run of play.
Fox curled a vicious free-kick which caught Cerny flatfooted and somehow squirmed in at the front post.
Rangers' persistence paid off, however, and after 87 minutes Blackstock atoned for his earlier miss with a header from close range to ease the frustration of the home fans.
CCFC
Ten-man Sky Blues came away with a point at QPR after a resilient display.
Stephen Wright had received a straight red card in the 40th minute - but a Dan Fox free-kick had given City the lead. However, despite a solid display, a late Dexter Blackstock goal saved Rangers' blushes.
Chris Coleman had brought back six players from the side who beat Kidderminster last weekend - and there was little sign of rust in the opening exchanges.
The Sky Blues started with a high-tempo in the freezing conditions and good work from Clinton Morrison and Michael Mifsud started a series of four corners in the opening seven minutes.
Their aerial one-two unnerved the Rangers defence and led to the series of deliveries from the returning Danny Fox - but they were scrambled to safety.
City continued to push but Rangers were able to force their first chance. A ball into the box fell to Heidar Helguson eight-yard from goal - but he snatched at the ball on the half-volley to send it high over Keiren Westwood's net.
QPR's main outlet was debutant Wayne Routledge and when he was caught by Stephen Wright in the 23rd minute, referee Keith Stroud produced his first yellow card of the game. However, the home side failed to make the resulting free-kick count.
The game suffered a lull soon after with neither side mustering an opportunity. Routledge proved to be the dangerman for Rangers with his pace proving tricky to deal with.
But encouraged by the vocal travelling support, City had their best chance when a flick on from Best was volleyed by Tabb - for Radek Cerny to save.
Then, Stroud changed the match in the 37th minute by issuing the straight red - City's first of the season. Wright - who had already been booked - challenged Heidar Helguson and appeared to catch him accidentally with a high foot. But referee Keith Stroud deemed the challenge dangerous and issued marching orders.
Coleman responded by moving Aron Gunnarsson to centre-back, Tabb to right-back and Morrison to left midfield.
City tried to see-out the half but still managed to force two corners, although Cerny's punches were enough to keep the game level.
After the restart, Rangers looked to assert their advantage and had chances to take the lead.
Blackstock was played through on goal and, despite appeals for offside, no flag was raised. The forward was unchallenged and eight yards from goal - but dragged his shot wide. Fox then protested the linesman's decision and received a booking.
Rangers came close again in the 58th minute when a cross found Mikele Leigertwood unmarked - but the midfielder's header from six yards was weak and Westwood saved with ease.
In the 62nd, Routledge broke down the wing and was fouled by Gunnarsson - who was booked. Rangers failed to make the set-piece count.
A clash of heads minutes later ended Leon Best's game. He was replaced by Leon McKenzie.
City then defied the odds to take the lead. Mifsud had raced towards goal and was brought down 30-yards from goal. Fox stepped up and curled his effort around the wall and into the bottom corner of Cerny's net and the City players raced towards the away support to celebrate.
Rangers introduced Emmanuel Ledesma for defender Damien Delaney in an attempt to force an equaliser and the home side pressured the makeshift defence.
They should have had a goal through Helguson in the 82nd minute when his fellow countryman Gunnarsson mis-headed the ball in the box. The ball sat up perfectly ten yards out - but his shot flew towards the corner flag.
But City were left heartbroken five minutes later when a mix-up in defence allowed Blackstock to run and head the ball past Westwood to level.
It was tough on City but the players held on to take a deserved point.
4thegame
Dexter Blackstock saved QPR's blushes with an equalising goal with only three minutes remaining against ten-man Coventry City at Loftus Road.
The away side thought they had nicked the winning goal when Danny Fox fired in a free-kick against the run of play with 17 minutes left after team-mate Stephen Wright was dismissed in the first half.
But leading scorer Blackstock bravely chased a through ball and rose above the onrushing Keiren Westwood to nod home.
QPR had the better of the first half but, while they enjoyed the majority of the possession, they found little end product.
After seven minutes, Icelandic international striker Heidar Helguson swivelled and shot in the Coventry area but his shot was weak and easily gathered by Westwood in the away goal.
Helguson had another chance nine minutes later when the ball dropped to him on the edge of the area, but the 31-year-old was wasteful again and laced his half-volley high over the bar.
Wayne Routledge soon began to show why QPR shelled out £600,000 in the week as he menaced Coventry down the left flank.
He gave right-back Aron Gunarsson a torrid time and when Routledge past him after 25 minutes, Wright had to come across and foul him on the edge of the area.
Though QPR failed to make the free-kick count, a booking was dished out and that should have calmed Wright down.
But nine minutes later, his high and reckless challenge on Helguson warranted a straight red card from referee Keith Stroud and changed the game's complexion.
In injury time before the interval, QPR managed their first meaningful shot on Westwood's goal when left-back Damian Delaney fizzed a shot that the goalkeeper did well to parry.
After the break, QPR huffed and puffed but still found Coventry hard to break down.
Ten minutes in to the half, Mikele Leigertwood looped over a pass that beat the away side's offside trap and with the goal gaping, Blackstock could only scuff his shot wide left.
With Routledge now on the right, QPR tried to change the angle of attack but the home crowd were getting restless at the lack of real chances.
With just over 20 minutes remaining, Helguson was profligate once again when he failed to poke in Deleney's driven cross.
And those wasted chances cost QPR dearly as when a frustrated Helguson fouled Michael Misfud after losing possession, he conceded a free-kick 30-yards out.
Fox, the left-back who is a set-piece specialist, stepped up and coolly placed his effort inside the right-hand post of Radek Cerny's goal.
Helguson, anxious to make amends, proceeded to miss two more gilt-edged opportunities - one which was sliced out for a throw in.
Luckily his strike partner, Blackstock, was more fortunate and put his head in bravely in the 87th minute while chasing substitute Emmanuel Ledesma's hopeful punt.
He headed in the leveller and the relief was palpable for the home side.
While they took their unbeaten run at home to six games, question marks will remain over their potency up front.
QPR: Radek Cerny, Kaspars Gorkss, Matthew Connolly, Damion Stewart, Damien Delaney (Emmanuel Jorge Ledesma 73), Hogan Ephraim (Fitz Hall 89), Wayne Routledge, Mikele Leigertwood (Samuel Di Carmine 81), Martin Rowlands, Heidar Helguson, Dexter Blackstock
Subs not used: Matteo Alberti, Gavin Mahon
Booked: Heidar Helguson 72, Wayne Routledge 66
Goals: Dexter Blackstock 87
Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Stephen Wright, Daniel Fox, Ben Turner, Guillaume Beuzelin, Aron Gunnarsson, Jay Tabb, Michael Doyle, Michael Mifsud (Freddy Eastwood 84), Clinton Morrison, Leon Best (Leon McKenzie 66)
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Kevin Thornton, Curtis Wynter
Booked: Stephen Wright 24, Daniel Fox 56, Keiren Westwood 90, Aron Gunnarsson 62
Sent off: Stephen Wright 37
Goals: Daniel Fox 73
Attendance: 13330
Referee: K Stroud
Teamtalk
Dexter Blackstock rescued a point for QPR as they made hard work of breaking down 10-man Coventry before earning a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road.
Blackstock struck three minutes from time to earn the hosts a point against the Sky Blues, who took the lead in the Championship clash when Daniel Fox's free-kick somehow found its way under Radek Cerny.
City looked like taking home the spoils from Loftus Road for the fourth season in a row when Fox netted in the 73rd minute, a goal made even more impressive following Stephen Wright's dismissal for the visitors eight minutes before the break.
The City defender was shown a straight red card for a high lunge on Heidar Helguson but the hosts failed to make enough of their numerical advantage as they struggled to create openings thereafter.
Helguson and Blackstock spurned good chances for the hosts before the latter finally equalised in the dying minutes.
The hosts started brightly and had the first shot in earnest when Helguson, who signed a permanent deal in the week, sent a hooked shot over the bar.
At the other end, Clinton Morrison failed to trouble Cerny with a wild volley which he sent over.
Both sides started to press forward with intent and it was the hosts who almost broke the deadlock in the 16th minute as Helguson drilled a rasping volley just over following Blackstock's knock down.
Wayne Routledge looked the most effective attacking outlet for Rangers and his trickery on the wing was causing the City defence all sorts of problems.
More often than not, though, the former England Under-21 international was hampered by the lack of movement from the R's strikers who were stifled out by the stoic City backline.
A potentially decisive moment in the match came after 37 minutes when Wright was sent off for his challenge on Helguson.
As expected, the R's held the lion's share of possession after the break, but rather than pushing home their numerical advantage they lacked any initiative going forward and were restricted to long-range efforts.
On the few occasions Rangers did manage to break the City defence, the finish was lacking and Helguson was again guilty of wasting a good chance when he headed straight at Westwood from six yards.
It was then Blackstock's turn to spurn a good opening minutes later as he dragged a shot wide when clean through.
The hosts were then hit by a sucker punch as City took the lead in the 73rd minute totally against the run of play.
Fox curled a vicious free-kick which caught Cerny flatfooted and somehow squirmed in at the front post.
Rangers' persistence paid off, however, and after 87 minutes Blackstock atoned for his earlier miss with a header from close range to ease the frustration of the home fans.
CCFC
Ten-man Sky Blues came away with a point at QPR after a resilient display.
Stephen Wright had received a straight red card in the 40th minute - but a Dan Fox free-kick had given City the lead. However, despite a solid display, a late Dexter Blackstock goal saved Rangers' blushes.
Chris Coleman had brought back six players from the side who beat Kidderminster last weekend - and there was little sign of rust in the opening exchanges.
The Sky Blues started with a high-tempo in the freezing conditions and good work from Clinton Morrison and Michael Mifsud started a series of four corners in the opening seven minutes.
Their aerial one-two unnerved the Rangers defence and led to the series of deliveries from the returning Danny Fox - but they were scrambled to safety.
City continued to push but Rangers were able to force their first chance. A ball into the box fell to Heidar Helguson eight-yard from goal - but he snatched at the ball on the half-volley to send it high over Keiren Westwood's net.
QPR's main outlet was debutant Wayne Routledge and when he was caught by Stephen Wright in the 23rd minute, referee Keith Stroud produced his first yellow card of the game. However, the home side failed to make the resulting free-kick count.
The game suffered a lull soon after with neither side mustering an opportunity. Routledge proved to be the dangerman for Rangers with his pace proving tricky to deal with.
But encouraged by the vocal travelling support, City had their best chance when a flick on from Best was volleyed by Tabb - for Radek Cerny to save.
Then, Stroud changed the match in the 37th minute by issuing the straight red - City's first of the season. Wright - who had already been booked - challenged Heidar Helguson and appeared to catch him accidentally with a high foot. But referee Keith Stroud deemed the challenge dangerous and issued marching orders.
Coleman responded by moving Aron Gunnarsson to centre-back, Tabb to right-back and Morrison to left midfield.
City tried to see-out the half but still managed to force two corners, although Cerny's punches were enough to keep the game level.
After the restart, Rangers looked to assert their advantage and had chances to take the lead.
Blackstock was played through on goal and, despite appeals for offside, no flag was raised. The forward was unchallenged and eight yards from goal - but dragged his shot wide. Fox then protested the linesman's decision and received a booking.
Rangers came close again in the 58th minute when a cross found Mikele Leigertwood unmarked - but the midfielder's header from six yards was weak and Westwood saved with ease.
In the 62nd, Routledge broke down the wing and was fouled by Gunnarsson - who was booked. Rangers failed to make the set-piece count.
A clash of heads minutes later ended Leon Best's game. He was replaced by Leon McKenzie.
City then defied the odds to take the lead. Mifsud had raced towards goal and was brought down 30-yards from goal. Fox stepped up and curled his effort around the wall and into the bottom corner of Cerny's net and the City players raced towards the away support to celebrate.
Rangers introduced Emmanuel Ledesma for defender Damien Delaney in an attempt to force an equaliser and the home side pressured the makeshift defence.
They should have had a goal through Helguson in the 82nd minute when his fellow countryman Gunnarsson mis-headed the ball in the box. The ball sat up perfectly ten yards out - but his shot flew towards the corner flag.
But City were left heartbroken five minutes later when a mix-up in defence allowed Blackstock to run and head the ball past Westwood to level.
It was tough on City but the players held on to take a deserved point.
4thegame
Dexter Blackstock saved QPR's blushes with an equalising goal with only three minutes remaining against ten-man Coventry City at Loftus Road.
The away side thought they had nicked the winning goal when Danny Fox fired in a free-kick against the run of play with 17 minutes left after team-mate Stephen Wright was dismissed in the first half.
But leading scorer Blackstock bravely chased a through ball and rose above the onrushing Keiren Westwood to nod home.
QPR had the better of the first half but, while they enjoyed the majority of the possession, they found little end product.
After seven minutes, Icelandic international striker Heidar Helguson swivelled and shot in the Coventry area but his shot was weak and easily gathered by Westwood in the away goal.
Helguson had another chance nine minutes later when the ball dropped to him on the edge of the area, but the 31-year-old was wasteful again and laced his half-volley high over the bar.
Wayne Routledge soon began to show why QPR shelled out £600,000 in the week as he menaced Coventry down the left flank.
He gave right-back Aron Gunarsson a torrid time and when Routledge past him after 25 minutes, Wright had to come across and foul him on the edge of the area.
Though QPR failed to make the free-kick count, a booking was dished out and that should have calmed Wright down.
But nine minutes later, his high and reckless challenge on Helguson warranted a straight red card from referee Keith Stroud and changed the game's complexion.
In injury time before the interval, QPR managed their first meaningful shot on Westwood's goal when left-back Damian Delaney fizzed a shot that the goalkeeper did well to parry.
After the break, QPR huffed and puffed but still found Coventry hard to break down.
Ten minutes in to the half, Mikele Leigertwood looped over a pass that beat the away side's offside trap and with the goal gaping, Blackstock could only scuff his shot wide left.
With Routledge now on the right, QPR tried to change the angle of attack but the home crowd were getting restless at the lack of real chances.
With just over 20 minutes remaining, Helguson was profligate once again when he failed to poke in Deleney's driven cross.
And those wasted chances cost QPR dearly as when a frustrated Helguson fouled Michael Misfud after losing possession, he conceded a free-kick 30-yards out.
Fox, the left-back who is a set-piece specialist, stepped up and coolly placed his effort inside the right-hand post of Radek Cerny's goal.
Helguson, anxious to make amends, proceeded to miss two more gilt-edged opportunities - one which was sliced out for a throw in.
Luckily his strike partner, Blackstock, was more fortunate and put his head in bravely in the 87th minute while chasing substitute Emmanuel Ledesma's hopeful punt.
He headed in the leveller and the relief was palpable for the home side.
While they took their unbeaten run at home to six games, question marks will remain over their potency up front.
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 9:00 pm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home