QPR Go Out of The FA Cup - Managerial Comments & Reports

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QPR Official Site -JG Speaks - I'M DEVASTATED
John Gregory failed to hide his disappointment, as ten-man Rangers bowed out of the FA Cup at the third round stage yet again.
Gregory had just seen his side dominate Luton Town from start to finish, only to squander the hatful of chances that fell their way.
The R's profligacy came back to haunt them ten minutes from time, when - after Stefan Bailey saw red - Zesh Rehman made a hash of his attempted clearance and the ball trickled past Simon Royce for the only goal of the game.
"At half-time I was annoyed we weren't at least 4-0 up,'' said Gregory.
"We totally controlled the football match - chances were going begging all over the place.
"We choked in front of goal tonight and we're out of the Cup as a result.''
Gregory also gave his opinion on the sending off, commenting: "I only saw the back of the incident. Stefan is a whole-hearted footballer and if he's commited a bad foul then he deserves to go, but I'll never stop him tackling like that because it's a big part of his game.''
Gregory added: "There was a hint of offside in the build-up to the goal but after that it was a comedy of errors.
"Zesh took a swing at it and it ended up in our own net. I'm devastated.''
QPR

Sporting Life NEWELL RELISHES ROVERS RETURN
By Andy Sims, PA Sport

Luton boss Mike Newell felt fate played a role in setting up a meeting with his former club Blackburn in the FA Cup fourth round after his side accounted for QPR 1-0 at Kenilworth Road.

The Hatters were denied by a controversial last-gasp equaliser at Loftus Road in the original tie and, after last week's replay was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, they were second best for long periods against Rangers.

But visiting midfielder Stefan Bailey's sending-off 15 minutes from time for a reckless challenge on Ahmet Brkovic - which saw the Hatters man stretchered off - not only sparked a 20-man melee but also Luton into life.

Substitute Dean Morgan's cross-shot was turned in by the unfortunate Zesh Rehman in the 80th minute to set up an emotional - if slightly daunting - televised encounter with Rovers on Saturday.

"They had a few chances and they probably had the better of it, but it's all about getting through in the cup," said former Blackburn striker Newell.

"We were through at Loftus Road until a handball at Loftus Road went against us so maybe tonight was our night.

"You don't always get what you deserve in the cup but maybe we were meant to get Blackburn. It's nice to get a tie against your old club and I had five of my best years there.

"I just hope we've got enough players left because the way they've been playing away lately it could be embarrassing."

Brkovic will have an X-ray on his ankle in the morning with Newell fearing another addition to an already lengthy injury list.

"It looked like it was two-footed and they are the most dangerous," he added. "He's hurt and he will go for an X-ray."

QPR boss John Gregory claimed he did not clearly see the challenge, but added: "It looked all right to me."

He was also keen to play down a bizarre incident following the red card when Bailey appeared to catch referee Michael Jones in the face as he protested the decision.

"It certainly wouldn't have been intentional," he added.

"I'm devastated we're out. We should have been 4-0 up at half-time and won 7-0.

"We missed chance after chance and we choked. It was almost like a script out of 'Dream Team'. You couldn't make it up and now we're out of the cup.

"It's a big blow to the club because it's a lot of money we've lost."
Sporting Life

QPR Official Site
Rangers suffered the worst of times at Kenilworth Road when a sending off and an own goal saw them exit the FA Cup.
Stefan Bailey's dismissal and Zesh Rehman's own goal sent Rangers crashing out of the FA Cup - despite 90 minutes of dominance from the visitors.
The first half started quietly, but Rangers had more than their fair share of chances to go ahead before the break.
Marc Nygaard and Dexter Blackstock each proved profligate, while Simon Royce was a mere spectator at the other end.
After the break, Rangers continued to press, but there was to be no repeat of the replay of 2001 when the R's went through to the fourth round after a two match battle with the Hatters.
Rehman's own goal with 11 minutes remaining cannot take all of the blame, for Rangers had more than their fair share of chances to take the lead prior to that.
Bailey's dismissal for a two footed lunge on Ahmet Brkovic was the start of the misery and the 90 minutes ended with Rangers departing from the FA Cup in the third round once again.
John Gregory was able to call upon Lee Cook after his one match suspension and Gareth Ainsworth was deemed fit enough to be given a place on the bench.

With Sampsa Timoska unable to play in the third round of the Cup, Mauro Milanese returned to the starting line up.

He may have only had a place on the bench, but Ainsworth began the proceedings by delivering a rousing "Come on!" to each and every one of the Rangers players.

And then finally, FINALLY, the replay kicked off.

The opening ten minutes failed to inspire as neither team mustered any real effort in or around the goal area. David Bell was the first to test the keepers when his effort from just outside the area flew wide of the far post.

Hoping that the next ten minutes may bring an incident of note proved to be a fruitless task. And when the journalist next to you asks: "Have you written anything yet?" you know that it's not the best sign of a riveting opening.

Cook tried to warm the cockles of the travelling Rangers fans when his free kick took the form of a stunning delivery, but Marc Nygaard's header looped over Dean Brill's crossbar. At the other end, Bell once again failed to trouble Royce when he splayed the ball wide.

Rangers improved as the half wore on however and when Cook fed Blackstock down the left flank, his piercing centre narrowly evaded the on-rushing Nygaard as the ball zipped across the face of goal.

On the half hour mark, Nygaard set the ball up perfectly for a central Smith and the young loanee smashed the ball down the centre of the goal, only to see Brill equal to his efforts. Blackstock was ready to capitalise on the keeper's spill, but Brill lived up to his name when he pulled off a stunning double save to deny the front man.

Ten minutes before the break, Bell had the ball in the back of the net, but found himself thwarted by the linesman's flag.

Rangers should have found themselves ahead seven minutes before half time, but somehow Nygaard failed to convert Milanese's cross from four yards out.

As it was, the break came without the deadlock having been broken.

The second half was already looking to be more lively when with only a minute gone, Nygaard's cross come shot grazed the cross bar and skipped to safety.

On the hour mark, Damion Stewart went ever closer for Rangers when he leapt to reach Smith's corner, but failed to direct it on the right side of the netting.

Rangers continued to test the Luton defence and were creeping ever closer to breaking the deadlock when Cook jinked inside and slipped the ball through for Nygaard, who blasted into the side netting when he had looked certain to score.

Moments after Ray Jones' introduction at the expense of Nygaard, Rangers were reduced to ten men following some ugly scenes.

Bailey's two footed challenge on Brkovic left the Luton man on a stretcher and Rangers a man down. Jones immediately took up the role in midfield leaving Blackstock to plough a lone furrow up front.

Asif to rub salt in to wound, Dean Morgan's volley was hacked into his own net by Zesh Rehman ten minutes from time - leaving the R's with it all to do.

There was only one thing for it and that was the introduction of Ainsworth with eight minutes to go.

But even his introduction couldn't muster extra-time for Rangers and John Gregory's men will now have a weekend without a competitive fixture before concentrating all of their energies on their Championship showdown with Barnsley on Tuesday evening.

Luton Town: Brill, Foley, Davis, Coyne, Perrett, Robinson, Emanuel, Langley, Brkovic (Morgan 76), Boyd, Bell.

Subs: O'Leary, Keane, Stevens, Barrett.

Scorers: Rehman OG, 79

Bookings: Coyne 74, Morgan 90

QPR: Royce, Milanese, Rehman, Lomas, Cook, Bailey, Stewart, Nygaard (Jones 71), Blackstock, Smith (Ainsworth 83), Mancienne.
Subs: Cole, Kanyuka, Furlong.
Red Cards: Bailey 72
Referee: M Jones
Attendance: 7,494 (1,492)QPR

Luton Official Site
Luton secured an FA Cup Fourth Round meeting with 1995 Premiership Champions Blackburn Rovers thanks to a bizarre own goal from Zeshan Rehman deep in the second half.

The QPR defender was simply guilty of standing in the wrong place at the wrong time when Dean Morgan's volley cannoned off his leg and past the outstretched arms of Rangers goalkeeper Simon Royce.

It was a miserable evening for the visitors who had Stefan Bailey sent off for a rash challenge on Ahmet Brkovic on 77 minutes and were guilty of missing several opportunities.

However, Luton's slice of good fortune means Hatters boss Mike Newell will go up against the team he helped win the Premiership title all them years ago

Luton were dealt a major blow before kick off as Marlon Beresford, who was expected to replace Dean Kiely in the Hatters goal, was ruled out with a back injury.

That gave Dean Brill his second Luton start of the season after the young goalkeeper was recalled back from his seven day loan spell with Gillingham.

Better news for the Hatters concerned Kevin Foley, who made his first start of 2007 having recovered from a heel injury while Ahmet Brkovic was recalled to the starting line up to operate from the right flank.

Brkovic's inclusion handed David Bell an unexpected opportunity in attack and he partnered Adam Boyd, who replaced the injured Warren Feeney. The other change from Saturday's shock 2-0 defeat to Barnsley saw Russell Perrett replace Leon Barnett, who was ruled out through injury.

QPR, who were defeated by Southampton at the weekend, made three changes to their side with Mauro Milanese, Stefan Bailey and Lee Cook all returning to John Gregory's team.

Both sides enjoyed a good spell of possession in the early stages of the game, but the first 15 minutes seemed non existent with a wayward Bell effort on 13 minutes the only real opportunity created by either side.

It took an 26 minutes for the first notable opportunity to be created. It was a chance that eventually gave Luton fans something to shout about as Steve Robinson's through ball released Bell surging through the middle, but the midfielder was unable to connect cleanly with a right footed shot that just missed the target.

QPR responded with their own opportunity a minute later as Dexter Blackstock got beyond the Luton defence, but his left wing cross to the unmarked Marc Nygaard was just beyond the reach of the Rangers striker.

The game began to see some entertainment and Brill was called upon to make an impressive save on 31 minutes as he twice prevented the visitors from taking the lead.

As Luton struggled to clear their lines, Jimmy Smith fired a first time shot from the edge of the area which forced Brill into a low save. With the ball only parried, the young Luton goalkeeper displayed quick reactions to prevent Blackstock nipping in to score from the rebound.

Luton had the ball in the back of the net on 37 minutes, but Bell was deemed offside after his surging run and shot went through the legs of Rangers goalkeeper Simon Royce.

The Hatters were beginning to threaten, however the visitors should have broken the deadlock on 38 minutes but were guilty of missing a golden opportunity.

Milanese found space down the right flank and delivered a perfectly weighted cross that found the head of Nygaard, but the former Brescia striker couldn't find the target from six yards out and with the goal at his mercy.

AT HALF TIME: LUTON 0 V 0 QPR

Rangers almost made the perfect start to the second half but Nygaard failed to make the most of a good opportunity when on 48 minutes he latched onto Smith's pass down the right, but instead of dragging a cross back to his waiting team-mates, he managed to clip the top of Brill's crossbar from an acute angle.

Lewis Emanuel tried his luck with an ambitious 25 yard free kick that fizzled wide of the target as both teams tried to stamp their authority on the game in the early stages of the second half.

Although Luton were enjoying the majority of the second half possession, it was the visitors who looked more likely to score and on 62 minutes Damion Stewart almost found a way through but sent his close range header from Smith's corner inches wide.

Rangers continued to press forward and Nygaard was guilty of wasting another opportunity on 67 minutes when he collected Smith's through ball but could only hit a first time shot against the side netting from eight yards.

Luton were soon given the advantage as Rangers were reduced to ten men after Bailey was shown a straight red card following a two footed challenge on Brkovic. A mass brawl followed, but after order was restored, referee Michael Jones quickly issued the red card.

The challenge left Brkovic leaving the field on a stretcher as Newell threw on Morgan.

The man advantage soon made the difference as Luton took the lead on 79 minutes through bizarre circumstances. As Rangers struggled to clear the danger, Morgan sliced a volley from the edge of the area that took a wicked deflection off Rehman's leg and beyond the reach of Royce.

In a desperate bid to find an equaliser, Gareth Ainsworth was thrown into action and he almost made an immediate impact when he saw a long range effort blocked by the Hatters defence.

Luton had the chance to seal the game when Morgan raced through on goal, but the substitue wasted his opportunity, firing over the target from eight yards. Luton


PA Sports
Picture Bell is hounded by Mancienne.

Luton 1 QPR 0

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By Andy Sims, PA Sport

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Stefan Bailey was sent off in shame and Zesh Rehman scored a calamitous own goal as QPR gifted Luton a lucrative televised FA Cup fourth-round clash with Blackburn.

Bailey saw a straight red card for a horrific lunge on Ahmet Brkovic - who had to be carried off on a stretcher - sparking an unseemly 20-man shoving match.

Referee Michael Jones was left holding his nose after the midfielder and Damion Stewart contested the decision, although any intent from the Rangers players appeared unlikely.

Rehman then turned the ball past his own keeper with 10 minutes remaining to hand Mike Newell a reunion with his former club on Saturday.

Both sides were forced to make changes for the rearranged replay, with Luton minus both their goalscorers from the original 2-2 draw at Loftus Road following Rowan Vine's move to Birmingham and an injury to Warren Feeney.

John Gregory, a cup finalist with Rangers in 1982, welcomed back highly-rated winger Lee Cook from suspension and recalled Marc Nygaard alongside Dexter Blackstock in attack.

After a scrappy opening Luton failed to deal with Jimmy Smith's corner but Stewart could not get the ball out from under his feet and the danger was cleared.

Nygaard then headed a Smith free-kick over the crossbar before Luton created their first decent chance, Adam Boyd's through ball catching QPR square but the onrushing David Bell's angled shot flying narrowly wide.

Rangers immediately hit back and Blackstock's cross just evaded Nygaard with the home defence suddenly looking like strangers.

Town keeper Dean Brill, just recalled from a loan spell at Gillingham, then kept the scores level with a superb double save, diving low to his right to parry Smith's 20-yard effort and recovering in time to deny Blackstock from the rebound.

Bell had the ball in the Rangers net shortly before the break but was clearly offside, while Blackstock wastefully nodded Mauro Milanese's cross wide.

Rangers began the second half with more purpose and Nygaard combined well with Smith down the right before grazing the crossbar with a shot from an impossible angle, although the pull-back to Cook looked to be the more profitable option.

Giant centre-half Stewart then met Smith's inswinging corner but thumped his powerful header inches wide with Brill motionless.

Nygaard missed a gilt-edged chance to open the scoring 20 minutes from time following another superb run from Cook.

The tricky winger glided jinked past a succession of defenders before his reverse pass put Nygaard through, but the striker smashed the ball into the side-netting from eight yards out.

The game exploded in the 74th minute when Bailey went in two-footed to contest a 50-50 ball with Brkovic.

After an ugly melee was dispersed, Bailey was dismissed while Brkovic departed in some discomfort on a stretcher.

And six minutes later Rehman inadvertently settled the affair when he turned substitute Dean Morgan's cross-shot past the helpless Royce.

Morgan should have grabbed a second when he burst clear during five minutes of stoppage time, but he blasted his shot over the top.

Teams

Luton Brill, Foley, Davis, Coyne, Perrett, Bell, Robinson,Langley, Emanuel, Boyd, Brkovic (Morgan 76).

Subs Not Used: Barrett, O'Leary, Keane, Stevens.

Booked: Coyne, Morgan.

Goals: Rehman 80 og.

QPR Royce, Rehman, Mancienne, Stewart, Milanese,Smith (Ainsworth 84), Bailey, Lomas, Cook, Blackstock,Nygaard (Ray Jones 72).

Subs Not Used: Cole, Kanyuka, Furlong.

Sent Off: Bailey (74).

Att: 7,494

Ref: M Jones (Mansfield). Sporting Life

This hurts!
Luton Official Site - 23.01.2007 NEWS BLACKBURN TICKET INFO
Following our FA Cup Third Round replay win over QPR on Tuesday night, we would like to remind supporters of the ticket selling arrangements for our FA Cup Fourth Round tie with Blackburn. Luton