SPORTING LIFE
Crewe 3 QPR 4
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Billy Jones scored moments before half-time to give Crewe a slender first-half advantage against QPR.
Eddie Johnson had given the home side the lead, but QPR hit back thanks to quick-fire goals from Lee Cook and Shabazz Baidoo.
Luke Varney, who replaced the injured Johnson, then quickly made his mark to bring Crewe level before Jones struck to cap an action-packed opening 45 minutes.
The home side carved out an opening inside the opening minute but Johnson sent his right-footed volley wide of Simon Royce's goal.
QPR hit back quickly and Ross Turnbull in the Crewe goal had to be on his toes to keep out a long-range effort from Baidoo just two minutes later.
Baidoo threatened again moments later, but was again denied by Turnbull as both sides contributed fully to an entertaining opening spell.
Royce had to be at his absolute best after 10 minutes as he somehow denied Johnson, brilliantly parrying the Crewe striker's fiercely-struck shot.
QPR's Martin Rowland then fired a shot over the crossbar, but moments later the home side were ahead through the dangerous Johnson.
Gary Roberts found Johnson who kept his cool to slot the ball past Royce after 15 minutes.
To make matters worse for the visitors, they were forced into a change just five minutes later when midfielder Marc Bircham was injured. He was replaced by Gareth Ainsworth.
But QPR continued to push for an equaliser with Richard Langley having a goal-bound shot blocked and then the same player firing over the crossbar from 20 yards.
Play continued to switch from end to end, though, and Royce was again called into action to deal with a 25-yard shot from Steve Jones 11 minutes before the interval.
But it was the visitors who then struck with a double whammy to turn the game on its head.
Cook levelled with a neat left-foot finish after 35 minutes and just over a minute later Baidoo steered the ball home to put QPR ahead and stun Crewe.
The home side were also forced to make a change before the interval with Varney replacing Johnson.
And Varney made a swift impact as within a couple of minutes of coming on he latched onto a pass from Jones to fire home the equaliser after 39 minutes.
Jones then had the final say with a close-range finish just before the half-time whistle.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/05/12/31/SOCCER_Crewe.htmlBBC Crewe 3-4 QPR
A double strike by Lee Cook and Shabazz Baidoo put QPR on top and cancelled out Eddie Johnson's opener, but Luke Varney and Billy Jones restored Crewe's lead.
In the second half Simon Royce did well to stop Steve Jones extending Crewe's lead and this proved vital.
On 57 minutes Rowlands' long-range effort drew QPR level before Langley hit the winner with nine minutes left. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/4560078.stm
QPR Official Site
Rangers produced a sterling second half comeback to beat Crewe in a seven goal thriller at Gresty Road. Goals from Cook, Baidoo, Rowlands and Langley made it a memorable end to 2005.
Rangers made just one change from the win over Cardiff City with Shabazz Baidoo replacing Paul Furlong.
Rangers had an early attack on their own when Shabazz Baidoo picked up the ball 40 yards out but his low shot was dealt with easily by Turnbull in the Crewe goal.
Baidoo had another run at the Crewe defence in the 6th minute and once again hit a low shot that was gathered by Turnbull.
Crewe came close on 10 minutes when Johnson evaded the Rangers back line and saw his effort blocked Royce.
Rangers though were taking advantage of some poor Crewe defending and Martin Rowlands picked up a mis-placed pass and saw his left foot shot skim over the bar.
It was Crewe however, who took the lead. Steve Jones broke down Rangers left and the ball was pulled back to Johnson who placed the ball into the back of the net.
Rangers thought they had good grounds for a penalty after 18 minutes. Lee Cook's through ball seemed to strike a Crewe hand but the ref waved played on.
Rangers were forced to make a substitution on 20 minutes when Marc Bircham hobbled off and he was replaced by Gareth Ainsworth.. Just when the injury situation had started to look up Rangers suffered another blow!
Richard Langley won Rangers first corner of the match on 23 minutes when his shot was defected wide. The corner was taken shot and Langley shot from range but saw his shot fly high over the bar.
It wasn't long though before Rangers were level. Lee Cook ran down the left and his low shot beat Turnbull at the near post.
Even better was to follow when almost from the kick off Rangers took the lead. Ainsworth cross the ball from the right and it fell to Baidoo who hooked his shot in at the far post.
But before the celebrations had time to calm down Crewe were level. Luke Varney slotting home from eight yards. All in all, a mad couple of minutes!
Royce had to be at his best a couple of minutes later when he beat away Jones' effort.
Crewe then regained the lead after some awful defending in the Rangers defence. Rose couldn't reach a wayward pass, Santos missed his tackle and Billy Jones was un-marked to make it 3-2 to Crewe.
Rangers started the second half much better, looking more solid.
It took Rangers just over 10 minutes to draw level and what a goal it was!
Martin Rowlands picked up the ball 30 yards from goal and with no other options he let fly. His shot went like a rocket into the top corner and Rowlands sprinted to celebrate in front of the Rangers fans.
Rangers continued to probe but Crewe were looking dangerous on the counter-attack.
Ian Holloway then made a double substitution. Mauro Milanese replaced Georges Santos. Milanese went to left back and Rose moved to the centre. Paul Furlong made a straight swap with Marc Nygaard.
Langley then came ever so close to giving the Superhoops the lead. The midfielder burst through the middle but Lee Cook's pass just made him check slightly and he saw his shot pushed away.
Five minutes later almost a carbon copy of the incident saw QPR take the lead. Langley once again burst through the middle but this time his low shot rifled into the back of the net! Phew!
Furlong nearly made the game safe just after when he got in behind the Crewe defence, his low shot was beaten away by Turnbull.
The final whistle went and the travelling Rangers army erupted.
Whilst Ian Holloway will have sleepless nights about his teams defensive display, he will be licking his lips from seeing Rangers best attacking display of the season.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10373~30487,00.html
TEAMTALK
QPR edge Alex in thriller
Second-half goals from Martin Rowlands and Richard Langley gave QPR all three points after a seven-goal thriller at Gresty Road.
In an action-packed first half Billy Jones had scored moments before half-time to give Crewe a slender 3-2 advantage, but the visitors fought back superbly after the interval.
Eddie Johnson gave the home side the lead in the 15th minute, but QPR hit back thanks to quick-fire goals from Lee Cook and Shabazz Baidoo.
Luke Varney, who replaced the injured Johnson, then quickly made his mark to bring Crewe level before Jones struck to cap a thrilling opening 45 minutes.
The home side carved out an opening inside the first minute but Johnson sent his right-footed volley wide of Simon Royce's goal.
QPR hit back quickly and Ross Turnbull in the Crewe goal had to be on his toes to keep out a long-range effort from Baidoo just two minutes later.
Baidoo threatened again moments later, but was again denied by Turnbull as both sides contributed fully to an entertaining opening spell.
Royce had to be at his best after 10 minutes as he somehow denied Johnson, brilliantly parrying the Crewe striker's fiercely-struck shot.
QPR's Martin Rowland then fired a shot over the crossbar, but moments later the home side were ahead through the dangerous Johnson.
Gary Roberts found Johnson who kept his cool to slot the ball past Royce after 15 minutes.
To make matters worse for the visitors, they were forced into a change just five minutes later when midfielder Marc Bircham was injured. He was replaced by Gareth Ainsworth.
But QPR continued to push for an equaliser with Langley having a goal-bound shot blocked and then the same player fired over the crossbar from 20 yards.
Play continued to switch from end to end, though, and Royce was again called into action to deal with a 25-yard shot from Steve Jones 11 minutes before the interval.
But it was the visitors who then struck with a double whammy to turn the game on its head.
Cook levelled with a neat left-footed finish after 35 minutes and just over a minute later Baidoo steered the ball home to put QPR ahead and stun Crewe.
The home side were also forced to make a change before the interval with Varney replacing Johnson.
And Varney made a swift impact as within a couple of minutes of coming on he latched onto a pass to fire home the equaliser after 39 minutes.
Jones then struck with a close-range finish just before the half-time whistle.
Royce was back in action just after the re-start as he saved superbly from Steve Jones to prevent the home side from extending their lead.
And it proved a crucial stop as the visitors levelled after 57 minutes with a cracking long-range effort from Rowlands which gave Turnbull no chance.
Langley then struck with nine minutes remaining to settle matters.
http://www.teamtalk.com/teamtalk/News/Story_Page/0,7760,1801_921845,00.html
