QPR at Bristol City - Additional Reports

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Sunday Times - QPR take Bristol to dramatic end

Bristol City 2 QPR 2 Nick Parkinson at Ashton Gate

BRISTOL CITY were left feeling as deflated as one of the hot air balloons at a nearby show after Damien Stewart’s stoppage-time equaliser denied them victory in their first game back in the second flight since 1999. Scott Murray thought he had secured three points for City with his lob in the 90th-minute, only for Stewart to scramble an equaliser almost immediately after.

But, to give Rangers justice, they deserved a share of the points after the ever-inventive Martin Rowlands twice hit the woodwork in the second half.

But City will rue conceding the lead twice within a minute after Lee Johnson had City ahead only for Dexter Blackstock to level a minute later. Rangers showed plenty of spirit and did not look distracted by the recent speculation of a takeover bid. In fact, their second-half dominance came close to winning them the game.

Over the summer Gary Johnson, the Bristol City manager, has recruited six new players � Ivan Sproule, Stephen Henderson, Michael McIndoe, Lee Trundle, Marvin Elliott and Tamas Vasko � to help his side at this level.

Four of the new recruits started and of them Elliott looked most impressive in midfield. Trundle, a £1m signing from Swansea City, has become renowned for his party-piece skills in the lower divisions and his arrival at this level has been long overdue. He showed what he is capable of when he deftly turned Damien Stewart but his effort was blocked. QPR failed to clear the danger and moments later were relieved to see Elliott’s fizzing, low drive from 30 yards drift just wide on eight minutes.

Elliott, who was signed from Millwall, came close again when he headed McIndoe’s left-wing cross just off-target five minutes later and an opener for the home side seemed inevitable.

But when it came, Bristol promptly surrendered the lead. Lee Johnson, the manager’s neat-passing son, hit a venomous shot that squirmed beneath goalkeeper Lee Camp on 33 minutes. Camp perhaps should have done better at blocking Johnson’s well-struck effort, but an ill-judged decision from his opposite number a minute later levelled the scores. Adriano Basso opted to rush from his goalline to collect a loose ball only for Dexter Blackstock to lift the bouncing ball over his head from 12 yards.

City were almost gifted an equaliser shortly before half-time when Zesh Rehman’s clearance smashed into Michael Mancienne’s face, with the ball thudding off the QPR defender and just over the crossbar. It was a narrow escape for the west London club, who are being linked with a possible takeover by Flavio Briatore, the Italian principal of Formula One racing team Renault.

Blackstock left a painful imprint of his studs on Basso when he scored QPR’s equaliser and the City goalkeeper had to be replaced at the interval. But Basso’s replacement, Stephen Henderson, had little to do early on in the second period as City pressed for a second. McIndoe was denied by some desperate Rangers defending after Trundle sent a left-wing cross to the back post on 50 minutes.

When QPR did advance towards City’s goal for the first time on 55 minutes, Henderson was helped out by his woodwork after Rowlands, cutting in past his marker on the left wing, struck a 20-yard shot against the post.

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has denied he is in talks with QPR but if Briatore’s move comes off, manager John Gregory will need more money for players if he is to take his side anywhere near the top six.

Rangers still had their moments and Rowlands came close three times to putting his side ahead in the second half. The classy Rangers midfielder swapped passes with Hogan Ephraim before shooting just wide from the edge of the area with 20 minutes remaining. Rowlands struck the woodwork again on 77 minutes when he cut in from the right, but his long-range effort hit the crossbar before rolling to safety.

The former Brentford midfielder was a constant menace to the City defence and Henderson had to race from his line to block after Rowlands had weaved past two markers.

The tide seemed to have turned in Rangers’ favour before substitute Scott Murray sent City ahead with a long-range chip. City fans were still celebrating when Rowlands sent over a free kick which was headed back into the six-yard box by Nygaard for Stewart to nod in from close range.

Camp was still required to make a flying save to deny Elliott’s last-gasp effort in a thrilling climax.

Star man: Martin Rowlands(QPR)
Player ratings. Bristol City:Basso 5 (Henderson, 45min, 6), McAllister 6, Vasko 6 (Fontaine, 45min, 6), Carey 6, Orr 6, McIndoe 7, B Wilson 6, Johnson 7, Elliott 7, Trundle 6 (Murray 79min) Showunmi
QPR:Camp 5, Curtis 6, Stewart 6, Mancienne 6, Rehman 6, Rowlands 8, Bolder 6, Bailey 6, Moore 6; Nardiello 5 (Ephraim, 59min, 6), Blackstock 7,(Nygaard 67min). Scorers: Bristol City:Johnson 33, Murray 90 QPR:Blackstock 34, Stewart 90 Referee:K Stroud Attendance:18,228 Sunday Times

Sunday People - CITY CAUGHT ON THE HOP
But Johnson's happy with a draw Coca Cola - David Foot

John Gregory was a relieved man after seeing his side grab a last-gasp equaliser to earn them a point against Bristol City.

The Championship new boys looked to have nicked all three points when Scott Murray fired home a spectacular effort from 25-yards - but Damion Stewart rescued a point for Rangers from close range.

And Gregory admits he was thrilled with the way his side fought back to secure a well earned point.

He said: "I've got to be happy. You can never write QPR off. The spirit, determination, courage and desire of this squad is firstclass.

"My boys did fantastically well. Michael Mancienne did incredibly well alongside Damien Stewart at the back. Frankly I do not like playing against promoted teams who have a sell-out crowd.

"It was a very good football match. I have to say when the fixtures came out, this was the last place I wanted to come on day one.

"We should have won the game by three clear goals but overall I am delighted with the start we have made to the new season.

"Spurs have learnt to their cost today how tough it is to go to a newly promoted side on the first day of the new campaign.

"Having said that, our players were first-class and a draw was the very least we deserved."

But Gregory's joy was slightly tinged with the news that Ben Sahar could be out for over a month after undergoing an appendix operation.

"We're going to lose him for at least four or five weeks."

The QPR manager refused to discuss the growing rumours of the London side's ownership.

"It's all speculation, just speculation", he snapped.

Bristol City, jubilant at their return to the Championship after nine years, started with pace and confidence.

Manager's son Lee Johnson gave them a 33rd minute lead with a fine shot which Lee Camp, the visitors' new £300,000 signing from Derby, only partially saved.

Almost from the kick-off Dexter Blackstock equalised, this time when home keeper Adriano Basso was partially at fault.

The Brazilian goalkeeper was injured in the incident and failed to appear in the second half.

Sub Stephen Henderson deputised capably as QPR took more control. But it was another sub that stole the headlines - Scott Murray firing home a spectacular 25-yard rocket in injury time.

Then the hostswere once again caught napping, allowing Damion Stewart to convert a last-gasp free kick.

But despite suffering late heartbreak, Gary Johnson remained proud of his team - claiming a draw was a fair result.

He said: "Yes, it was frustrating and, just like the crowd, I was going through a range of emotions down there.

"But sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and give credit to the opposition and say you've been involved in a great game.

"At the end of the day a draw was probably a fair result. Scotty scored a fantastic goal, QPR had their chances and so did we - perhaps it should have been 4-4! "Because we made a couple of subs at the break a couple of them had to stay out there and play with little niggles.

"I thought our lads gave it a really good shot. I know we don't want to be drawing games at home but for the first game of the season but that was a good result."

Bristol City: Basso 5 (Henderson, 45mins, 6) - Orr 6, Vasco 5 (Fontaine, 45mins, 6), Carey 6, McAllister 6 - Wilson 6, Johnson 5, Elliott 7, McIndoe 5 - Trundle 6 (Murray, 79mins, 6), Showunmi 5.

Qpr: Camp 5 - Rehman 6, Stewart 7, Mancienne 6, Curtis 6 - Rowlands 8, Bolder 7, Bailey 5, Moore 6 - Blackstock 6 (Nygaard, 70mins, 5), Nardiello 6 People

Comments of Bristol City Manager, Gary Johnson - Post-Match Comments

Photos from the Game - Photos

DAILY MAIL Rangers salvage a point as Stewart has final say By DAVID FOOT -

Martin Rowlands deserved a hat-trick for QPR as he saw shots crash against the post and crossbar as the London club twice equalised within a minute of going behind.

Rangers boss John Gregory said: "I don't like playing promoted teams who have sell-out crowds to urge them on. We still did very well."

Goals from Dexter Blackstock and Damion Stewart secured QPR's point.

New striker Ben Sahar was taken ill and went to a Bristol hospital for an appendix operation.

Bristol City had started with style and poise.

Manager Gary Johnson's son Lee put them ahead on 33 minutes with a powerful shot, but home keeper Adriano Basso was injured as Blackstock levelled and he stayed off the field at the break.

Scott Murray scored with a speculative shot in injury time — only for Stewart to head in immediately after.

Daily Mail

ALSO:
Earlier compilation of Reports and comments re QPR vs Bristol City