QPR-Luton 3-1
En något försenad matchrapport - från 1907
Artikeln publicerades ursprungligen på www.indyrs.co.uk den 10 maj 2021 och återpubliceras på SvenskaFans med artikelförfattarens tillåtelse.
QPR ended the season on Saturday with a superb 3-1 win over Luton Town.
On 5th October 1907, the Rangers took on the Hatters at Park Royal and defeated them by the same score-line. The following match report appeared in ‘The People’ the next day.
‘Queen’s Park Rangers beat Luton at Park Royal by 3 to 1. It was a fast and exciting game throughout, and although the first-half was goalless the 10,000 people present had no cause to grumble after the interval, when all four goals came in quick succession.
The Rangers thoroughly deserved their victory, as they were quicker on the ball and showed better combination, while their defence was at all times sound.
Luton must regret the loss of Barnes and Gittens, who formed the best wing on the field.
Of the Luton men, Bob Hawkes playing at right-half, was not so clever as usual, and the rest were only moderate.
At the start, the Rangers showed some fine combination, their wing men being admirably fed, putting in some dashing runs. Their final efforts, however, lacked direction, and although the ball was often in front of Platt, the Luton custodian seldom had to handle.
Dimmock and McCurdy, too, were sturdy in defence, while at the other end White, whose period of suspension is at an end, played at right-back, saving three times in rapid succession when a goal seemed imminent.
Barnes and Gittens, who, by the way, are both ex-Luton men, were fed assiduously by the rear division, and once the first-named put in a splendid centre which should have resulted in a goal.
Walker, however, although right in front of the net, shot far too high, and so missed a fine chance.
Of the Luton forwards, the most prominent was Walders. He has plenty of pace, and was often very dangerous with his centres, but a tendency to lie offside spoilt some fine efforts.
Just before half-time, the Rangers pressed hotly, and Barnes put in a characteristic shot which Platt only saved at the second attempt, and the teams crossed over with honours divided.
The second-half opened with some determined kicking between the rivals’ backs, and then following a pretty passing movement by Rigate and F. Hawkes, Hall hit the crossbar.
Walker got through by himself and forced a corner off Platt. This came to nothing, however, and again a fast give-and-take game was seen.
Pentland at this stage missed two golden opportunities. His kicking was weak in the extreme, while Gittens, who took a long shot and hit the bar, was in grand form and had hard luck more than once in missing the net.
Twenty minutes after the re-start, however, Pentland retrieved his former errors by starting a fine movement which enabled Barnes to beat Platt with a low shot in the corner of the net.
The excitement had hardly died away when Gittens put on a second goal, taking a long shot which Platt handled, but could not quite save.
Moody netted for Luton, but the whistle had already gone, and the point was disallowed.
The efforts of the Luton men were not without reward, however, as Moody, the inside-left, steered the ball past Shaw from a melee in front of goal.
The game looked all over at this stage, when Pentland executed a brilliant run, and leaving McCurdy sprawling on the grass, he tricked Platt, who came out to meet him, and had an open goal to shoot at.
He made no mistake and gave his side a handsome victory by 3 to 1.’
Rangers went on to win 3-2 at Brighton the following Saturday.
Steve Russell
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