QPR Start With a Come-From-Behind Victory

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QPR 2 Barnsley 1 Gate a surprisingly-low just under 15,000. Two goals by Fitz Hall AND a Hall penalty saved! -- Minute-by-Minute -- Other Championship Results

- QPR Official Site

Fitz Hall scored twice and missed a second half spot-kick, as Iain Dowie's new-look QPR opened the 2008/09 Coca Cola Championship campaign with a comeback victory against Barnsley.

Trailing to Iain Hume's fifth minute goal, Rangers scored twice in as many minutes to stun the visitors from South Yorkshire.

Hall poked home from close range in the 29th minute, before notching an early contender for goal of the season a minute later, with an extraordinary volley.

Hall squandered a golden chance for a hat-trick when he fluffed his lines from the spot after Dexter Blackstock was felled in the box, before Barnsley were reduced to ten men when Marciano Van Homoet was sent off for a late tackle on second half substitute Daniel Parejo late on.

On a lush Loftus Road playing surface, it was Barnsley who crafted the first opening of the new season.

Arriving on to Martin Devaney's cut-back, Jon Macken fired straight at Cerny, to the relief of the R's custodian.

Play soon switched straight to the other end, with Patrick Agyemang flighting a delightful centre into the path of Mikele Leigertwood, whose downward header was expertly parried by Luke Steele.

Barnsley were enjoying the lion's share of possession though and when Hume coasted clean through all too easily in the fifth minute, the Tykes debutant slotted the ball beneath an exposed Cerny from 15-yards, to put the visitors in front.

It was the worst possible start for the R's, and as the half wore on, Simon Davey's men continued to ask questions of Rangers' new-look back four.

Dexter Blackstock was forced to head Brian Howard's corner off his own line in the 12th minute, while the impressive Devaney saw his cross come shot saved by Cerny moments later.

Rangers grew in stature though as the half approached its midway stage. Emmanuel Ledesma stung the palms of Steele from range, before Leigertwood's 35-yard drive was well held by the Tykes stopper.

Dowie's men weren't to be denied though and after Steele could only parry Ledesma's curling free-kick, Patrick Agyemang's follow-up cannoned off the bar, before Hall poked the ball home the rebound from two yards out.

Buoyed by their goal, the R's continued to pepper the Barnsley back four and when Lee Cook's corner kick was only half cleared 60 seconds later, Hall expertly hooked the loose ball over his shoulder and into the far corner of the net.

It was a quite sensational effort from the former Wigan man, who ran straight to the R's substitute's bench, thumping the badge on his jersey on his way.

The lively Ledesma was leading the Alamo-like charge from the R's as the half neared its conclusion, with his neat cross deflected to safety by Darren Moore on the stroke of half-time.

Barnsley, to their credit, began the second period in similar fashion to the first.

Hume and Jon Macken continued to pose a threat, while the pacy Mounir El Haimour kept Peter Ramage on his toes in the final third.

Rangers were by no means second best though, with a scintillating counter attack - yet again involving Ledesma - ending with Agyemang being denied by the sprawling Steele.

The R's squandered a golden opportunity to put the tie to bed in the 58th minute.

After Blackstock was upended by Moore inside the box, Hall - on a hat-trick - stepped up from 12-yards, only to see his weak spot-kick comfortably saved by Steele to the goalkeepers' right.

Undeterred, Ledesma's free-kick was turned round the post by Steele, before Dowie introduced Spanish wonder-kid Parejo with 19 minutes remaining.

The Rangers faithful rose to their feet to greet the 19 year-old, who immediately slotted in to the heart of the R's midfield, alongside Leigertwood and the impressive Gavin Mahon.

Any hopes Barnsley had of staging a revival effectively ended seven minute from time, when Van Homoet was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Parejo, after the Madrid man skipped past him with ease.

Parejo was everywhere and soon let fly from range, driving the ball wide from fully 25-yards, as the R's started the season in style.

QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Mahon, Hall, Leigertwood, Blackstock, Agyemang (Parejo 71), Gorkss, Ramage, Cook, Ledesma (Alberti 83).

Subs: Camp, Connolly, Balanta.

Goals: Hall 29 & 30

Bookings: Cook 53

Red Cards:

Barnsley: Steele, Hassell (Leon 84), Moore, Foster, Hume, Howard, El Haimour (Rigters 75), Souza, Macken (Odejayi 84), Van Homoet, Devaney.

Subs: Kozluk, Mostto.

Goals: Hume 5

Bookings:

Red Cards: Van Homoet 83

Referee: Mr N D Swarbrick

Attendance: 14,964

QPR


Barnsley Official SFULL TIME FROM LOFTUS ROAD
Posted on: Sat 09 Aug 2008

QUEENS PARK RANGERS 2 (Hall 29, 31)
BARNSLEY 1 (Hume 5, Van Homoet Sent Off 84)

BARNSLEY showed more than a glimpse of a bright Oakwell future as they dominated Queens Park Rangers for most of the game but just could not find a goal which would have rocked Loftus Road to its foundations.

It was the dawn of a new era at Rangers and Reds boss Simon Davey sent his side out to crash the billionaire's party on the opening day of the season. There were debuts for Darren Moore, Mounir El Haimour and Iain Hume as Barnsley looked to end a 58-year jinx at Loftus Road and pick up all three points. Latest signing Maceo Rigters was on the bench.

Rangers, under the guidance of Iain Dowie, handed debuts to Radek Cerny, Kaspars Gorkss, Peter Ramage, Emmanuel Ledesma and Lee Cook while Real Madrid star Daniel Parejo was on the bench. Although the first day of a new season is normally one of the hottest days of the year, the Reds met driving rain and wind inside a new-look Loftus Road, which has had a massive facelift since last term.

The teams entered the stadium to the kind of firework display normally reserved for Olympic opening ceremonies as Rangers announced their intentions to blow away the Championship dramatic fashion.

Bobby Hassell stamped his authority on a mouthwatering midfield battle with Gavin Mahon with just seconds on the clock as the Reds star flew into a crunching challenge which left the ex-Watford man limping. Barnsley should have been in front on two minutes when Martin Devaney's burst and pass gave Jon Macken a great chance on the penalty spot but the striker could only shoot straight at Cerny. At the other end Luke Steele was called into action seconds later when he had to claw away Mikele Leigertwood's header. Devaney had Rangers at sixes and sevens again on five minutes when his cross fell to Brian Howard but the skipper saw his shot cannon away off a defender.

Barnsley's excellent start finally had its rewards just seconds later when Howard's pass split the Rangers defence wide open and Hume raced through to mark his debut with a fine finish.

Hume got in again on nine minutes when he drifted off the back of Gorkss to meet Marciano Van Homoet's cross but could not put his header past Cerny. The QPR keeper had to be at his very, very best just seconds later when Hume raced clear yet again and thundered a shot goalward but Cerny managed to parry the ball away to safety. Leigertwood managed to head over his own crossbar on 13 minutes from Howard's great inswinging corner as the Reds lay siege to the Rangers goal. The second was only a yard or so away on 14 minutes when El Haimour let fly from 20 yards but his well-struck effort flew wide of the post with Cerny well beaten.

Rangers pace and power threatened on the counter attack and the odd half sniff lifted the Loftus Road crowd. The hosts got one in on Steele on 20 minutes Emmanuel Ledesma let fly from 25 yards but the Reds keeper was always behind the ball and made a comfortable stop. Steele then managed to hold Leigertwood's drive two minutes later.

Rangers were gifted a great chance on 28 minutes when Devaney was inexplicably adjudged to have fouled Cook on the edge of the area. Barnsley paid for a howler of a decision when Steele could only parry Ledesma's free kick out to Fitz Hall, who netted at the second attempt after smashing his first effort against the bar.

Things went from bad to worse just two minutes later when the Reds thought they had dealt with Cook's corner only for Hall to smash the ball back past Steele and into the roof of the net from 30 yards.

Patrick Agyemang was a couple of feet away from a third goal for Rangers on 41 minutes when he lashed a shot just wide from distance after holding off Dennis Souza.

Barnsley were left scratching their heads in the opening stages of the second half by a string of baffling decisions by the officials which repeatedly pegged the Reds back and cut short their bright start. They finally got a decision on 52 minutes when Cook went straight through Howard 30 yards from goal although there was no way the winger could have got away without a caution. Hume's free kick smacked the wall and was easy for Cerny to take although he keeper opted to punch clear. Steele then did well at the other end on 55 minutes when he raced out of his goal to deny Agyemang a certain strike after Rangers had struck on the counter.

Rangers had the benefit of another controversial refereeing decision on 58 minutes when Blackstock threw himself over Moore's outstretched leg and hit the deck in the area. Barnsley were incensed as the official pointed to the spot but justice was done when Steele dove well to save Hall's penalty.

Hume and Macken almost created an opening for El Haimour on 67 minutes but the wet pitch just beat the Frenchman and the ball skidded through to Cerny. Steele again had to be at his very best on 69 minutes to turn Ladesma's well-struck free kick around the foot of the post. Barnsley still pushed on and only Hall's fine header stopped Souza hauling the Reds back level on 75 minutes after Moore had knocked the ball across goal from Howard's free kick. The visitors had a massive let off just a minute later when Blackstock managed to get behind Van Homoet but his shot flashed well wide of Steele's far post.

Moore then almost beat Cerny to another dangerous Howard free kick on 78 minutes as the Barnsley onslaught continued to force Rangers deeper and deeper. The Reds could have had a penalty on 80 minutes when Macken's header struck Hall's arm in the area but nothing was given. Cerny then got down quickly make a smart stop on 81 minutes after Hassell's free kick looked to be creeping in at the post.

The game finally went away from the Reds on 83 minutes following a moment of madness by Van Homoet on the half way line. The Dutchman, riled by a late challenge, lunged into Ladesma and took the winger out at knee height giving the referee no alternative but to brandish a straight red card.

Although down to ten men, Simon Davey threw caution to the wind with Kayode Odejayi and Diego Leon replacing Macken and Hassell on 84 minutes but that deserved second goal just would not come. Rigters did manage to get a sight of goal in stoppage time as he raced through only to be taken down by a tackle from behind. Hall did take the ball but had gone straight through the Dutchman and got the decision to play on.... Barnsley


BBC - QPR 2-1 Barnsley

Fitz Hall struck twice in as many minutes then had a penalty saved as QPR came from behind to beat Barnsley.

Iain Hume put Barnsley ahead after five minutes when he slotted home following good work by captain Brian Howard.

But Hall turned in Emmanuel Ledesma's free-kick after 29 minutes then volleyed home Lee Cook's corner.

Hall's spot-kick was saved by Lee Steele after Darren Moore fouled Dexter Blackstock, before Barnsley's Marciano Van Homoet saw red for fouling Ledesma.

QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Hall, Gorkss, Delaney, Agyemang (Parejo 72), Mahon, Leigertwood, Ledesma (Alberti 84), Cook, Blackstock.
Subs Not Used: Camp, Connolly, Balanta.

Booked: Cook.

Goals: Hall 29, 31.

Barnsley: Steele, Devaney, Moore, Foster, Hassell (Leon 85), De Silva, Howard, Van Homoet, Hume, Macken (Odejayi 85), El Haimour (Rigters 75).
Subs Not Used: Kozluk, Mostto.

Sent Off: Van Homoet (83).

Goals: Hume 5.

Att: 14,964 BBC