QPR v Wigan - e-Football Flashback

Article by Jeff Mayakovsky

We all met in the pub, the Rangers fans were coming out of the woodwork, the ale flowed and the voices became bolder. Self belief was evident, despite a heavy down pour, which the suspicious saw as an ominous sign, but the rain abated and held off as we all hurried to the stadium. Around the ground there was a buzz of excitement, was this to be our night?

Inside, the ground quickly filled out, the fans in a celebratory mood, we were going to make Loftus road the burial ground for the hopes of Wigan and then they scored in the 9th minute through James Perch from a cross from Wigan's left wing. Just as they were properly told by their manager, ' hit them early and draw their sting', but the fans kept behind the team and called on them to push forward it was an evenly balanced match. Possession was 53/47 percent in Rangers favour and that was how the match played out with QPR having more chances.

After a scare when McClean had a one-on-one chance against Green which we survived with the ball coming off the post. We had to wait until the second half when Caldwell brought down Hoillet in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. The crowd were expectant as Charlie Austen stepped up to confidently hit the ball to the goalkeepers right, 1-1 the stadium erupted and the team pressed forward as time drifted on and it soon become apparent that extra time was imminent.

The match then went into extra time and with just 6 minutes of it gone Zamora loop the ball into the box and there was Charlie Austen to hit it into goal, 2-1, complete mayhem as the crowd went crazy and the dreams of Wembley could now be realised. The crowd were magnificent and kept their support up throughout the match. Rangers had many chances on goal, 22 shots to Wigan's 14 and of them 6 to 4 in the R's favour were on target.

Wigan were a difficult side to beat over the two legs but over the course of the match Rangers just got stronger and their heads did not drop when they were 0-1 down. They kept up the pressure and grew into the match.

Charlie Austen will soon be laying claims to Kevin Gallens 'magic hat' at this rate, what might of been if he had not got injured, he has a natural instinct for the goal and you always feel he can score while he is on the pitch. He has now scored 20 goals for the R's this season.

The game ended with a pitch invasion and jubilation everywhere, it was a great night for all concerned, the streets around Loftus road were filled with shouts of joy as we made our way back for a celebration drink and to bask in the prospect of a Wembley visit in what should be a great game against in-form Derby who have beaten Brighton 6-2 on aggregate.

It was great to see so many of the players playing to their full potential. QPR and Derby will now be playing for that lucrative spot as the third team to go up to the Premiership.

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