The Police numbers at Victoria were high and visible, but they left us alone and we headed to Hammersmith and the cracking Fullers pub called The Salutation. We watched the cricket on TV, then Wolves beat Man Utd, moved on to the Youngs pub then back towards the tube station.
We caught the tube from Hammersmith and struggled to get on as the first 2 carriages were full of riot Police. We eventually got to the ground and took up our seats the far corner (left hand corner flag as you faced the pitch).
The 3,000+ Albion fans were in good voice and it was a great atmosphere. The QPR fans occasionally noisy, oh how I would love a home ground with a roof and 4 sides!
As for the match, these were my highlights
Oatway shot after 5 minutes, was it handball by the defender? Impossible to see from our end and hard to tell from the players reactions.
Rowlands brilliant first goal for QPR. He had the ball wide left, beat several players, cut inside and curled the ball round Roberts and into the corner. The best goal I have seen this season.
Second goal, dreadful defending, no marking, caught on the break, but a cool finish from Gallen.
Just before half time and we score from a corner. One that was crossed in superbly (the only time in the 90 minutes we put in a decent cross) and at 2-1 down we had a chance.
Harty being booked in the second half for being flattened! It was right in front of us and I have no idea what the booking was for.
The sad linesman reacting to the crowd and getting Knight booked for dissent. Gallen and Furlong gave 100% more abuse to each decision he made but he ignored them.
The ball would just not run for us, Knight made an opportunity at the death but Day saved well. Cullip blasted one over and that was it.
I thought we deserved a draw, but our form at the moment is relegation, not play off or promotion.
After the game we went back to Shepherds Bush for a drink and headed back to Victoria to get the 7.17. There were plenty of Police and people milling about. The atmosphere was very tense as Palace and Brighton fans were arriving back to Victoria, but we moved on and caught the train home.
Roberts - 7 didn't do anything wrong
Watson - 4 has lost the ability to take free kicks and corners
Mayo - 4 perhaps he was confused by us wearing yellow shirts, black shorts and socks as favoured passing to blue and white
Cullip - 7 gave 110%
Butters - 7 as above
Yeates - 5 bit off it today, his gutted looked when subbed and half harted applause towards us summed up how he looked/felt
Hart - 4 time for a rest
Carpenter - 4 not in the game
Oatway - 5 battled, but not much luck
Benjamin - 5 battled but not many chances to shine
Knight - 5 marked out of the match by my MOTM, Danny Shittu
McPhee - 5
Virgo - 5
Robinson - 5
All 3 subs had little impact, but battled!
Its going to be a very tough Jan/Feb and I fear a downward spiral.
Mark R
We caught the tube from Hammersmith and struggled to get on as the first 2 carriages were full of riot Police. We eventually got to the ground and took up our seats the far corner (left hand corner flag as you faced the pitch).
The 3,000+ Albion fans were in good voice and it was a great atmosphere. The QPR fans occasionally noisy, oh how I would love a home ground with a roof and 4 sides!
As for the match, these were my highlights
Oatway shot after 5 minutes, was it handball by the defender? Impossible to see from our end and hard to tell from the players reactions.
Rowlands brilliant first goal for QPR. He had the ball wide left, beat several players, cut inside and curled the ball round Roberts and into the corner. The best goal I have seen this season.
Second goal, dreadful defending, no marking, caught on the break, but a cool finish from Gallen.
Just before half time and we score from a corner. One that was crossed in superbly (the only time in the 90 minutes we put in a decent cross) and at 2-1 down we had a chance.
Harty being booked in the second half for being flattened! It was right in front of us and I have no idea what the booking was for.
The sad linesman reacting to the crowd and getting Knight booked for dissent. Gallen and Furlong gave 100% more abuse to each decision he made but he ignored them.
The ball would just not run for us, Knight made an opportunity at the death but Day saved well. Cullip blasted one over and that was it.
I thought we deserved a draw, but our form at the moment is relegation, not play off or promotion.
After the game we went back to Shepherds Bush for a drink and headed back to Victoria to get the 7.17. There were plenty of Police and people milling about. The atmosphere was very tense as Palace and Brighton fans were arriving back to Victoria, but we moved on and caught the train home.
Roberts - 7 didn't do anything wrong
Watson - 4 has lost the ability to take free kicks and corners
Mayo - 4 perhaps he was confused by us wearing yellow shirts, black shorts and socks as favoured passing to blue and white
Cullip - 7 gave 110%
Butters - 7 as above
Yeates - 5 bit off it today, his gutted looked when subbed and half harted applause towards us summed up how he looked/felt
Hart - 4 time for a rest
Carpenter - 4 not in the game
Oatway - 5 battled, but not much luck
Benjamin - 5 battled but not many chances to shine
Knight - 5 marked out of the match by my MOTM, Danny Shittu
McPhee - 5
Virgo - 5
Robinson - 5
All 3 subs had little impact, but battled!
Its going to be a very tough Jan/Feb and I fear a downward spiral.
Mark R