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Late Hitchcock thriller seals QPR win — report
Sunday, 18th Aug 2013 22:02 by Clive Whittingham

An injury time goal on his debut from youth team graduate Tom Hitchock was enough for QPR to see off Ipswich at Loftus Road on Saturday.

Having spent the pre-match build up talking about a number of negative aspects that have become typical of the modern day QPR it made a refreshing change to secure a win against Ipswich with a last minute winner from a youth team graduate.

Prior to Saturday the only player listed on the club’s official website who had come out of the youth team and scored for the seniors was Ray Jones, whose number 31 shirt was retired after his death in 2007. The few players capable of playing first team football who have come through the ranks at QPR, who operate a centre of excellence in a city packed full of state of the art academies belonging to other clubs, have been picked off by the bigger fish before they’ve even had a chance to make a Loftus Road debut. Serial loanee Angelo Balanta doesn’t have a squad number this season.

And neither, prior to Saturday, did young Tom Hitchcock. Being the son of QPR’s goalkeeping coach Kevin could invite cynicism on the merits of his presence at the club but he caught the eye with three goals in seven starts during a loan spell at Bristol Rovers last season and bagged a hat trick in a pre-season friendly at Staines this summer.

Those same cynics probably glanced across QPR’s team sheet at 2pm on Saturday with a wry smile. With two weeks of transfer window left Hitchcock was one of three kids with zero first team experience to suddenly appear on the Rangers bench — Max Ehmer and Mo Sharif the others — perhaps providing a timely reminder to Tony Fernandes and Phil Beard of manager Harry Redknapp’s desire to continue adding players to his squad.
Redknapp will point to injuries to Ale Faurlin, Andy Johnson and Armand Traore but Stephane Mbia, Julio Cesar, Hogan Ephraim, Luke Young, and the injured Samba Diakite all remain contracted to the club but not selected. If the benching of several fresh faced youths was a ruse to extract more money, it backfired in the best possible way.

In the very last minute of normal time, and with a fairly basic Ipswich side apparently about to succeed in their mission of securing a 0-0 draw, QPR launched a final forlorn attack. Shaun Wright-Phillips, switched to the left wing after Junior Hoilett had once again suffered a hamstring injury sprinting for a ball midway through the second half, finally took his full back on the outside to the byline rather than cutting infield into waiting traffic as he had been doing all afternoon to that point. Fast running out of pitch he cut a decent ball back for Charlie Austin on the corner of the six yard box and although he scuffed his left footed shot the ball rolled invitingly through the goal mouth begging for a late arrival at the back post to finish it off. That late arrival was Hitchcock, slamming home the game’s only goal with one of his first touches of the ball in the QPR senior team — he’d been on the field for seven minutes.

It had been a frustrating afternoon for the R’s prior to that. Moments earlier, when Wright-Phillips cut in field and sent a deflected cross into the area which inadvertently found Austin unmarked eight yards out from goal, the former Burnley man lashed a volley against the underside of the bar. That rather summed up Austin’s luck — the goal touch that saw him bag 28 goals last term hasn’t quite followed him to Loftus Road as yet and he missed several presentable opportunities here, although one in the first half where he rounded the keeper and slid the ball into the side netting with the goal gaping wouldn’t have counted anyway because of an offside flag and another from a low Hoilett cross was struck well enough on the turn in the six yard box but hit an Ipswich man and flew to safety. When Austin later ended a flowing counter attack with a powerful first time volley from 12 yards out he must have thought a goal was certain but keeper Scott Loach saved well diving to his right.

Ipswich rode their luck at times. Wright-Phillips, recalled to the team to cover Joey Barton’s wide role with Barton moving infield in the absence of Faurlin and the newly loaned out Esteban Granero, struck a firm volley at goal when the ball dropped to him in the penalty area from a corner but the ball didn’t make it through a crowded six yard box and deflected safely out of play.

The R’s also threatened frequently from wide set pieces with Barton’s delivery providing some welcome consistency and quality in a facet of the game Rangers have been poor in for a long time. Nedum Onuoha headed over from close range in the first half after first Austin and then Clint Hill had kept a corner alive by winning headers in the penalty box. Hill, moved to left back to accommodate the inclusion of Richard Dunne from the start for the first time in the league this season, really should have scored on the hour when he totally miscued a header after being left unmarked in the six yard box from a Barton free kick. The ball bounced back into play off the cross bar anyway and Dunne then smacked a volley wide when he should have at least hit the target. The deadlock was starting to get irritating by this point - the Super Hoops had 14 shots on the goal in this game but managed only three on target.

Ipswich were limited in both ability and ambition. Referee Michael Naylor twice issued warnings about time wasting very early in the second half suggesting a 0-0 draw suited the Tractor Boys, but they could easily have won the game themselves. Striker David McGoldrick, signed permanently after a successful loan spell last term, was blocked out of a chance in the fourth minute after Richard Dunne lost the ball with a poor header. Dunne certainly grew into the game after that and denied McGoldrick a clear sight of goal with a fine tackle ten minutes from half time, although he was then indebted to Robert Geen who made a fantastic sprawling save to deny Daryl Murphy after the loose ball had fallen to the Irish striker in the penalty box. Green, abused throughout by a sizeable travelling support from Suffolk because of his Norwich connections, will have certainly enjoyed that one, and another stop deep into the second half when Dunne got lost among his own limbs and gave McGoldrick a sight of the School End net.

The keeper couldn’t do a lot about Elliott Hewitt’s low drive before half time, which again came after Dunne had initially halted a Town attack with a crunching tackle, but thankfully for the home side the shot was a couple of feet wide of the post.

If anybody was going to pick Ipswich apart it looked like being Joey Barton who seemed to revel in starting in the centre of midfield for the first time this season and guided Rangers around the park with real class and panache. The goal itself came from a free kick deep in the QPR half, the second in quick succession where referee Naylor could and should have allowed play to continue with Rangers in possession. Not in the mood to argue, Barton acted quickly and sent a raking pass out wide to Wright-Phillips to set up the winner. An unlikely midfield partnership with sworn enemy Karl Henry may yet have legs if Ale Faurlin is out for any period of time.

But at times in the first hour QPR were too reliant on Barton and needed something extra. Bobby Zamora continues to struggle and draw the ire of the home crowd — ironic cheers greeted Redknapp’s decision to remove him and send Hitchcock on late in the game — and his lumbering presence blunts the attack somewhat, with creativity from midfield also in short supply.

For those reasons it was an earlier substitution and another player making his first appearance for the club that had more effect on the pattern of play overall. Shorn of Hoilett’s creativity through injury the introduction of Gary O’Neil just before the hour was crucial. Every pass he played was positive and well executed and the way he directed the players around him and organised the team was impressive for a man who has been with the club for such a short period of time. Redknapp spoke about bringing the right sort to the club this summer and O’Neil certainly seems that on this evidence. Rangers wouldn’t have won the game without him, and even amidst the hysteria of the winning goal he could be seen frantically trying to put a five man midfield set up in place to hold onto the victory.

Rangers could still have thrown it away in injury time regardless of his efforts. With virtually the last kick of the game a ball rolled free invitingly 25 yards out from goal and left back Aaron Cresswell tried his luck from range with a fierce shot that deflected an inch wide of the post with Green scrambling and panicking. That meant a nerve jangling last second corner but although Tommy Smith rose highest and headed goal wards he could only direct the ball straight at the goalkeeper.

The day belonged to Londoners, and their 20 year old debutant striker who was embraced by his father on the field at the final whistle. With the hyperbole surrounding the start of this year’s Premier League making the sport even more loathsome than usual, it was a moment to restore a little faith in both football and Queens Park Rangers. Chastened and humble, could this sort of thing become typical of a new QPR?

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QPR: R Green 7, D Simpson 6, R Dunne 6, N Onuoha 7, C Hill 6, S Wright-Phillips 6, K Henry 6 (J Jenas, 77, 6), J Barton 8, D Hoilett 6 (G O'Neil, 56, 8), B Zamora 5 (T Hitchcock, 83, -), C Austin 6

Subs not used: B Murphy, M Ehmer, Yun Suk-Young, M Sharif

Goals: Hitchock 90 (assisted Austin/Wright Phillips)

Ipswich S Loach 7, E Hewitt 6, L Chambers 6, T Smith 6, A Cresswell 7, J Tabb 6, C Skuse 6 (R Tunnicliffe, 45, 6), C Edwards 5, L Hyam 6, D Murphy 6 (P Taylor, 63, 5 (F Nouble, 86, -)), D McGoldrick 6

Subs not used: M Crowe, F Veseli, C Berra, P Anderson

Bookings: Tabb 60 (foul)

QPR Star Man — Joey Barton 8 I was very tempted to give this to Gary O’Neil because I thought he really improved QPR when he came on, but across the game as a whole Barton was the most impressive QPR player on view with an excellent, imaginative range of passing the guided the team around the field.

Referee — Michael Naylor (South Yorkshire) 7 No major decisions to make really but threatened to lose control at one point in the second half by not punishing poor fouls on first Dunne and then Barton more sternly, and then cracking down in the wrong way by blowing up for fouls when there was an obvious advantage to play and getting pernickety about the placement of free kicks. The goal itself came from a QPR free kick that really should have been allowed to play on. Overall though, not bad at all.

Attendance — 17, 075 (1,700 Ipswich approx) Very decent atmosphere inside Loftus Road, good to hear the crowd sticking with the players during a frustrating match. Not entirely convinced the abuse of Bobby Zamora, particularly given the lack of striking options available to Redknapp, is really a good idea though.

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Pictures — Action Images

Photo: Action Images



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Myke added 22:41 - Aug 18
yes yes yes !- I predicted your headline word for word!! I do think, as I mentioned in an earlier post that Dunne, if he can stay fit, and Onouha can form a decent central defensive pairing. If Parker signs and if Barton stays could be a strong spine to the team. Hard to feel any sympathy for Harry for our lack of striking options to Zamora after releasing/selling Bothroyd, Campell and especially Macken (1 goal, 1 assist and counting) pre-season. (not including Remy - couldn't have such a sensitive high-powered machine on the dirt-track of the championship) Zamora is semi crocked and semi immobile with it, Johnson and Austin have injury issues, so the release of those above- mentionerd three was inexcusable until suitable reinforcements were aquired
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TacticalR added 22:51 - Aug 18
Dunne wasn't as bad as I was expecting, although he made one howler in the second half when he got casual and tried to head back to the goalkeeper. Despite his age he is able to cover ground when necessary. I'll need to see more of him to assess him.

Barton played well. At one point it looked like he was being targeted, but he didn't take the bait.

Zamora looked completely out of it in the second half.

Gary O’Neil was impressive and seemed to have that bit of vision that so many of our players lacked last season.

The first half was an absorbing contest, the second half a stalemate, with Ipswich doing enough to contain us until we got out of jail with the goal. Is it really six years since we've had a player come through from the youth team? Anyway, very pleased for Hitchcock.
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qprmick added 23:17 - Aug 18
Great stuff, a youngster scoring on debut. Maybe our club is back on the right track.
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connell10 added 23:26 - Aug 18
Good write up mate, but i would have given the ref 5 as to me he was a twot and austin 7 as i think the bloke worked his socks off!
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probbo added 08:34 - Aug 19
All the bile directed at Zamora (not least from the c35 year old thug next to me who with his 10 year old son in situ could not complete a sentence without an 'F' and/or 'c') was totally misplaced in my view. Zamora knows he's crocked and needs and operation and so does Redknapp, so he's playing like someone 30-40% match fit. The failing is on Redknapp for starting with him in the first place. Myke's comments above are spot on.

All that aside, I think on balance we deserved to win that one. We squandered that many chances in the second half I had a feeling Ipswich were going to mug us with a goal on the counter attack but really delighted for young Hitchcock - took me back to the days of Clive Allen or Kevin Gallen leading the line! Nice to see Rob Green's celebreations when the goal went in too!

Must give credit to Barton, who played very well and SWP put a reasonable shift in too.

My only other observation is that we need to work on our crosses, not least Simpson whose crossing in the first half was poor. We need much more pace on the deliveries (the sort Traore was capable of), something Austin or anyone else can get a powerful head on.
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essextaxiboy added 09:42 - Aug 19
Giving any player in a Rangers shirt abuse is totally counter productive . As some one who couldnt even bring myself to boo Bosingwa , I find silence and head in hands method does the trick .

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francisbowles added 10:00 - Aug 19
Thanks for the report Clive had to miss first home match for nearly four years, due to family holiday, and then have a long wait about a month until we then have two in five days! Had to follow on text so your comprehensive write up vital.

As the match carried on 0-0, I was hoping, thinking Harry won't, that Hitchcock would get on and nick us a goal having watched the Staines friendly. Delighted that the vision was realised.

Don't think Harry had too many options other than to pick Zamora for this one. I know he is playing poorly and doesn't seem to do much but it is a shame the crowd are giving him abuse. He is limited by his injury but willing to play on. He could have had the op, sat out the season on full pay and then moved as a free agent. He has possibly put his future health at risk and will be struggling to get a contract anywhere in future. So give the guy a bit of space and maybe he might do a bit better.

Having said that would we be better of starting with Austin and a five man midfield for the tough away matches coming up. Maybe a recall for Mbia (or Ephraim), if Faurlin is still injured, unless Harry succeeds and we get Parker or other reinforcements soon.

Very pleased that Green's confidence seems to be rising but don't know what happens if we don't shift Caesar?

So far so good and without wishing to tempt fate, Lady Luck has been with us so far.
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adhoc_qpr added 10:28 - Aug 19
A great start to the season and we won the game despite losing AJ, Faurlin and Hoilett to injury - not too shabby!

The team is starting to take shape as well - just a left back and a striker needed really for depth.

I wonder if players like Mbia are still here after the window shuts, will Redknapp start to use them?
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ElHoop added 11:00 - Aug 19
Nice report there. Hitchcock's goal might just be worth a lot more than the extra two points, and they might still be crucial in themselves. If one or two players decide to sign on the basis of our form/league position, with the window closing next week, then it could have been the goal which made our season. Was a great moment anyway. You R's!!
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RonisRs added 11:31 - Aug 19
well pleased - good effort, and think it could have been a lot more.
hats off to Hitchcock.
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extratimeR added 14:59 - Aug 19
Thanks Clive.

Barton was very good, and it would be nice just once for a Referee to do something about the tackles that fly into him, with no sign of a card.

If Barton does the same , just once, you know it will be yellow or more likely Red.
Was really surprised at how fast O'Neill is, very impressive debut.
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JB007007 added 17:43 - Aug 19
Thanks Clive,
We certainly did enough to deserve the win and its great that a local lad has stolen the headlines for us.
Although Austin missed a few, but the goals will come. He's working hard and getting into the right positions. Like other sensible people, I do wish BZ was/is given some slack. Can you imagine what Traore would be like if he was carrying a long term injury. We absolutely need to be in this together creating a positive vibe from all corners.
I'm sure HR will get another striker in before the window closes to ease the pressure.
It will be interesting to see how we cope defensively against better teams, as whatever anyone says, we've had a rather cushy start.
I enjoyed Green doing an impression of Paddy Kenny when we scored - fantastic.
Last point, isn't Jay Tabb a horrible little man.
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zicoshoops added 07:47 - Aug 20
Being on the right end of a last minute winner makes it all the sweeter.
'Porky' celebrating in the Aisle a shadow of his former self, he must have lost about 6 stone.
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isawqpratwcity added 10:25 - Aug 20
Nice report, Clive.

"If the benching of several fresh faced youths was a ruse to extract more money, it backfired in the best possible way." I'm not going to stop bleating that the club lacks strikers in a most dire way (until we don't), but I'm delighted for the win. Congrats to Hitchcock!
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dixiedean added 17:34 - Aug 20
Through gritted teeth I have to admit that Scouse Gobshite had a very good game . If he played like that all the time , stopped spouting/ Tweeting off about things which are not his concern, and didn't get sent off to let his team down, I MIGHT start to think he's worth keeping. However, as he is a ticking time bomb we need to see a lot more of the " new Joey" before I'm convinced this isn't another false dawn when he reverts to type. The hero-worship he receives from some of our fans is nauseating though. I agree with Clive re O'Neill - I said after the goal , can you give MOM to a guy who's only played 20-odd minutes ? He was a revelation. Whenever he received the ball he had his head up and always had the next pass in mind ( take note SWP among others) If he can maintain that form we won't need Scott Parker. In any case we have shedloads of midfielders, so why he keeps buying them I've no idea when we're crying out for fit strikers. No doubt we'll miss out on our main targets and buy one we don't really want 5 mins before the window " slams shut" as Sky would say.
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