QPR Vanquish Doncaster Rovers! Match Reports

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QPR 2 Doncaster Rovers 0: QPR defeated Doncaster Rover. Blackstock and Ledesma QPR a 2-0 half-time lead and that was how it ended. Today's gate a pretty good one: 15,536. Updated League Table


QPR Official Site - Dowie's Post-Match Comments - DOWIE: "JUST WHAT I WANTED"
After QPR's impressive win over a lacklustre Doncaster Rovers, Manager Iain Dowie conceded that there was still work to do.
Ever the perfectionist, our Gaffer did allow himself to be pleased after a performance that went some way towards repairing the damage done by Sheffield United last week. He told www.qpr.co.uk: "We felt we had to change it a little bit after the United game. Not just formation and personnel but things like being first to the ball every time and I think we did that today.
"The second half of the United game, I thought we were ok but we needed a response today and we got one with a clean sheet," he added.
"After the break today we stopped doing what got us the goals in the first half, and it turned into a bit of a war of attrition. We didn't get it out wide to Lee Cook and Emmanuel Ledesma as much, and that little bit of quality was missing."
After another dazzling performance from the two midfield dynamos, thoughts quickly turned to Daniel Parejo and Ledesma. On the pair, the Manager said: "With both of them, they need to settle. It's a new country, new club, new teammates, me shouting at them! They need time to develop."
He added on the Spaniard: "He's got everything in his locker; enormous talent. But he's learning the physical side and that can only be a good thing."
On goalscorer Ledesma, Dowie had similar praise, saying: "He's another wonderful player, wonderful to watch, but he also does the simple things well."
"The lads like him and he's a bit of a character, but he can also make the ball sing sometimes."
With these two seemingly enjoying English football, it remains to be seen what Rangers can achieve after getting back to winning ways. QPR


QPR Official Site
QPR did the memory of Ray Jones proud with an impressive 2-0 win over South Yorkshire side Doncaster Rovers.
Dexter Blackstock and a first strike for Argentine Emmanuel Ledesma sealed all three points for the R's who banished memories of last Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United with an assured performance full to the brim of attacking flair and creative genius.

The game marked the year anniversary of the death of striker Jones who was tragically killed in a car accident, and a tribute was played on the new big screen to remember one of the clubs most promising players.

Defenders Damion Stewart and Pater Ramage, alongside midfielder Gavin Mahon, returned to the starting line-up at the expense of Kaspars Gorkss, Angelo Balanta and Matthew Connolly, the latter two dropping to the bench. They were joined by returning Captain Martin Rowlands who missed the first three games through suspension.

Doncaster fielded an unchanged side that drew with Cardiff City in their last match. Their line-up included summer recruit Matthew Mills at the heart of their defence, with fellow new-boys James Chambers and Dutchman Josh Van Nieuwstadt making the bench.

Rangers made the best possible start to this emotional game, as Daniel Parejo floated over a free-kick that was stroked home by Dexter Blackstock who raised his black armband and kissed it, dedicating his goal to his close friend Ray.

The R's had the bit between their teeth with this bright start, and it continued when Damien Delaney jinked into the box and attempted to shoot. The rebound fell to Parejo who tried to square for Lee Cook who couldn't manage to get decent enough contact to send it goalwards.

Rangers were doing the memory of Ray proud with total control of the midfield and looked dangerous on the counter attack with, as always, Emmanuel Ledesma and Daniel Parejo pulling the strings.

Cook was having a measure of success down the left and he crossed for Blackstock who could not garner enough power on his header to worry visiting 'keeper Neil Sullivan.

Donny were trying to get back into the game, playing neat football, but could not find a way past the centre back pairing of the excellent Stewart and Fitz Hall.

Brilliant play saw Parejo almost score his first goal for the Hoops as his chip up to Blackstock was held up and spread out wide to Ramage whose pinpoint cross was only narrowly headed over by the well placed Spaniard.

A foul on Parejo yielded a free-kick just inside Rangers' half, and quick thinking from Stewart found the unmarked Ledesma in acres of space. The midfielder's first touch was excellent, his shot composed and he had is first goal in a Ranger's shirt.

Smiles turned to frowns minutes later as Hall, who had been struggling after landing awkwardly, was forced off, to be replaced by Connolly.

Rangers did not let that dampen their mood however and they went off in search of further goals. Ledesma's free-kick was headed back across goal by Stewart but Sullivan got down well to save to his left.

A quiet period of play was rudely interrupted as Mahon hung up a cross from the left and Ledesma tried a spectacular overhead kick but could not quite connect properly.

Parejo then tried to beat Sullivan twice from range, with the latter, a 35-yard free-kick, not going far wide of the Doncaster goal.

Minutes before the break, Blackstock could've doubled his tally for the afternoon but completely miscued a free header from Parejo's corner.

Donny were struggling to cope but James Coppinger almost pulled one back in a rare attack but he could only send his powerful effort into the side netting.

Just past the hour mark, Ledesma whistled a free-kick from the right narrowly over Sullivan's left hand post but Rangers were closing in on another three point haul.

The newly introduced Angelo Balanta was next to try his luck from just outside the edge of the box but he couldn't test Sullivan as well as he would've liked.

Then it was the moment the crowd had been waiting for, as Daniel Parejo made way for the returning Martin Rowlands.

His introduction lifted the R's and Rangers carved open another opportunity as excellent build up play found Delaney of all people who unfortunately could only curl his shot well over.

Minutes before the end, Balanta tried to wiggle his way through a throng of black shirts after a clever flick from Rowlands but his shot was well blocked.

And with that, the game was seen out by Rangers who kept up their unbeaten home record at the expense of a Doncaster side that will need to pick themselves back up if they are to remain safe in the Championship.

QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon, Hall (Connolly 29), Leigertwood, Parejo (Rowlands 77), Blackstock, Ramage, Cook (Balanta 71), Ledesma. Subs: Camp, Di Carmine. Goals: Blackstock (5), Ledesma (28)

DONCASTER: Sullivan, O'Connor, Roberts, Mills (Van Nieustadt 54), Guy (Chambers 82), Stock, Taylor (Elliott 82), Hayter, Wellens, Hird, Coppinger Subs: Woods, Spicer QPR


Doncaster Official Site
Attendance: 15536
The Rovers visit Loftus Road to play Queens Park Rangers for the first time since September 1966, a game no Rovers fan wants to remember because it ended in a 6-0 thrashing. Overall, however, out of the 8 League games played the Rovers have won 4, including 2 here at Loftus Road. A much better memory is January 1985 when Rangers were in the top Division, came to Belle Vue in the F.A.Cup and went away beaten by a David Harle goal. To return to 2008 things have changed dramatically for both clubs, with new owners and investment. Today will be a test for the Rovers as they come up against one of the teams that the bookmakers think will be in with a shout of promotion. A dry, cool but fine afternoon provides a perfect platform for a good game of football. The Rovers were unchanged for the third League game running and defended the Loftus Road end in the first half.
The home team set the game in motion but the Rovers spent the first few minutes in their opponents half. Then, on 5 minutes, in their first real foray into the Rovers half the home team won a free kick just outside the left side of the Rovers penalty area. Parejo placed the ball into the Rovers six yard box where BLACKSTOCK met it and coolly sidefooted into the net for the opening goal. Over the next couple of minutes both Blackstock and Delaney fired well wide before the Rovers got their game back on track. A good build-up after ten minutes gave Hayter a crack at goal from inside the penalty area but it was blocked by a defender. The game settled down to an even contest, with both sides attack minded. Blackstock took a cross from the left from Cook and got in a shot but Sullivan saved. The Rovers won a corner but nothing came from it. Then Ramage, for the home team, got down the right before putting in a good cross that was headed over by Parejo. After 28 minutes, a quickly taken free kick by the Rangers was chested down by LEDESMA, who burst through the Rovers back line to slot the ball past Sullivan for a second goal. The Rovers protested for a handball but to no avail. Three minutes later a free kick on the Rangers right was met with a fierce Hall header but Sullivan saved well. The Rovers were forced to defend over the next ten minutes as the home side piled on the pressure and did it well enough to restrict the Rangers to a couple of attempts at goal, one Sullivan saved and the other was well wide. As the break loomed up Parejo put wide from a free kick and in added time a corner to the Rovers ended with Coppinger firing over from distance. Some wise words were needed at half-time in the Rovers dressing room.

The Rovers set the ball rolling but it was the home team that pressed forward first but a free kick on their right from Ledesma was well caught by Sullivan at the far post. Coppinger then got down the Rovers right but his cross meant for Guy in the middle was comfortably caught by Cerny. The Rovers were getting more into the game at this stage and on 52 minutes following a good build-up Wellens had a try at goal from 25 yards but Cerny saved. Mills then took a knock on the jaw and received a lengthy period of treatment before being replaced by Van Nieuwstadt. Just past the hour and good work by Coppinger on the Rovers right gave him a go at goal from an angle on the right but it went into the side-netting. A couple of minutes later a free kick from the home right by Ledesma was just over the bar. The Rovers could not get a clear sight of goal but were also denying the home team at the other end. With ten minutes to go Delaney put well over from 25 yards and minutes later Rowlands was also well over from the edge of the box. The Rovers enjoyed the better of the last five minutes of normal time and the six minutes of added time but couldn't find an opening. The end came with the two first half goals being the deciding factor.

Teams - QPR - Radek Cerny; Damien Delaney, Damion Stewart, Gavin Mahon, Fitz Hall, Mikele Leigertwood, Daniel Parejo, Dexter Blackstock, Peter Ramage, Lee Cook, Emmanuel Ledesma,
Subs used - Angelo Balanta for Cook 71mins; Martin Rowlands for Parejo 78mins;
Subs not used - Matthew Connolly, Samuel Di Carmine, Lee Camp gk ,
Cautions - Ledesma, Parejo,

ROVERS - Neil Sullivan; James O'Connor, Matt Mills, Sam Hird, Gareth Roberts; James Coppinger, Richie Wellens, Brian Stock; James Hayter, Gareth Taylor, Lewis Guy
Subs used - Jos Van Nieuwstadt for Mills 57mins; Stuart Elliott for Taylor 85 mins; James Chambers for Guy 85mins;
Subs not used - Martin Woods, John Spicer, Doncaster


YORKSHIRE POST - Latest news: QPR 2-0 Doncaster Rovers

Rangers must be fed-up of facing Yorkshire teams, having played Barnsley and the Blades already, and today face a third South Yorkshire outfit in newly-promoted Doncaster Rovers.
Emmanuel Ledesma struck his first goal in English football as QPR raced into a two-goal half-time lead against Doncaster at Loftus Road.

The 19-year-old Argentinian, one of Rangers' high-profile summer signings when he arrived on loan from Genoa, doubled the hosts' lead with a well taken strike after Dexter Blackstock had opened the scoring.

This time last year Rangers were at their lowest ebb, rocked by the death of teenage striker Ray Jones in a car accident while also in real financial trouble.

Fast forward 12 months and the Hoops, backed by super rich co-owners Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, are now among the promotion favourites and parading a host of continental imports.

They crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United last week but showed no ill-effects here as they outplayed Rovers from the first whistle.

They went ahead in the fifth minute when another of their exotic signings, on-loan Real Madrid youngster Daniel Parejo, lifted a free kick into the area.

Blackstock was unmarked in the six-yard spot and had the simple task of capping over the line.

Lee Cook then fired wide as Damien Delaney shot over the top and Rangers went in search of a second.

Blackstock should have done better with a dangerous ball from Cook which he guided straight at Neil Sullivan, before Parejo nodded Peter Ramage's cross over the bar.

The second goal eventually came in the 28th minute when the livewire Ledesma latched on to a long ball forward, held off two challenges and tucked the ball past a hopelessly exposed Sullivan.

The under-siege Rovers keeper then saved well from Damion Stewart's header before comfortably keeping out Ledesma's ambitious bicycle kick.

For an in-depth report and reaction on today's game, read Sports Monday, free with Monday's Yorkshire Post newspaper." Yorkshire Post