By CCFC Sid
January 23 2005

Despite a lot of optimism amongst CCFC fans before this match, it was obvious to some (Me!) that QPR's run of eight consecutive away defeats was always likely to come to an end sooner rather than later. Nice of CCFC to oblige.... Having finally got rid of Peter Reid, and having supposedly appointed the fans favourite on Friday (Really?! Not days before?!), there was a slightly more cheerful atmosphere around Highfield Road .... until 4.55pm.

A new manager nearly always means new players coming in, so it was difficult to work out whether Ally McCoist was interviewing Mike McGinnity about the new man at the helm, or whether the current chairman was negotiating contract talks with the sort of prolific striker CCFC will be looking for, before the match!

A crowd of 16,595 (Plenty of `complimentaries' amongst that number) gave new manager Mickey Adams a good reception, as he began the match away from the dug-out - coming down to the touch-line after the first-half.

As well as Peter Reid having left (Despite local radio station Kix 96 still claiming to be `Proud To Support Peter Reid And The Sky Blue Army' in the matchday magazine!), the first signs of the dismantling of Highfield Road have started, with the Executive Boxes between the Main Stand and the West End having gone `home'.

Former CCFC striker Paul Furlong was lucky to stay on the pitch after appearing to stamp on a CCFC player in an early skirmish, and, had the referee brandished a red card, said player would not have been on hand to set up Jamie Cureton minutes later.

Minutes later Doyle received a talking to for flattening Paul Furlong. While there might have been contact on this occasion, throughout the rest of the match QPR players were quick to go to ground (In a manner that suggested six weeks out of the game at a minimum), only choosing to rise to their feet once the referee had or hand't given a foul in their favour.

While a lot of CCFC fans thought the first half performance was poor (With the second seeing a slight improvement), chances were created, and squandered. In a 15 minute spell after going behind, McSheffrey set up Morrell, who wasted the opportunity with a poor first touch; then a McSheffrey pass was just beyond the reach of Stern John, with the former Birmingham man in a decent position; McSheffrey and Staunton linked well to win a corner; McShefrey then set up John, who, from 12 yards out, managed to hit the ball 25 yards over the bar; then McSheffrey again set up John, whose shot was well saved by the QPR keeper. From the resulting corner, a Leacock header went just wide of the post.

Having failed to make the most of their chances, it took a quality header from Williams to stop CCFC going 2-0 down after a quick break from QPR.

CCFC won a number of throw-ins in the last 10 minutes of the first half, with plenty of time wasted as whoever was given the responsibility of taking them struggling to find anybody that looked remotely interested in receiving the ball....

QPR created another two decent chances in the last five minutes of the half, with Steele saving CCFC on both occasions - and yet still people criticised him because he isn't the `complete keeper' yet (If he was, MU, Arsenal, and Liverpool would be signing him (Or in MU's case, playing him!)). It could have been a rout had he not been in such fine form....

Adebola replaced Wood at half-time, and within 30 seconds of the second half the same player tested the QPR keeper. Whether or not the change was through injury or inffectiveness only management will know, but Adebola's introduction seemed to improve CCFC.

Adie Williams scored the equaliser CCFC almost deserved on 58 minutes, with a headed goal that seemed to take an age to actually cross the line. Cue jubilant scenes amongst CCFC fans, and silence from the away section....

Adebola twice set up John soon after, but, despite CCFC enjoying more of the possession, QPR frequently broke at pace, bypassing CCFC's midfield as if it didn't exist. Whether or not the midfield would have been quite so invisible had Isaac Osbourne been in the side is open to question (As is why he wasn't in the 16? Injured?). Two Man Of the Match appearances this season, nowhere to be seen a game later....

Gary McSheffrey looked like he was out to impress the new manager, and was unlucky not to win a penalty after a run took him into the opposition penalty area, only to be stopped by the attentions of three players. Without wishing to seem like I'm showing bias towards the `local lad', he enjoyed a fine game, looking far more interested and up for this game than his team-mates....

Soon after, a terrible pass across midfield from Hughes picked out a QPR player rather than the intended target Steve Staunton, with Steele once again coming to CCFC's rescue.

Johnson, having already been booked by the referee, got away with a poor challenge on Adebola, not even receving a telling off, let alone a yellow card.

Another CCFC attack saw Carey receive a boot in the face, which every player on the pitch obviously saw as a foul, but the referee decided to play an advantage. Morrell kicked an intended cross straight over everybody and out for a goal-kick, but the referee unbelievably gave CCFC a corner! (Some reports suggest this was actually a re-take, rather than a clanger from the referee). Had this been scored, this would have been a massively controversial moment - but CCFC only have controversial done against them, not by them....

Morrell should have won the game for CCFC when he headed an 85th minte McSheffrey cross straight into the keepers' arms, with the rest of the goal gaping - and it was to cost CCFC dearly....

With CCFC's players having been booed fom the pitch at half-time, the referee was the aim of boos and jeers as the teams left the pitch at full-time, after allowing what looked a controversial winner for the Londoners with seconds left on the clock. TV pictures seemed to suggest that the last minute winner from QPR had crossed the line (Despite the linesman not signalling a goal), but they also showed that at least one QPR player was offside. When you're down....

Fourth from bottom, with Newcastle in the F.A. Cup next (And possibly not even a Craig Bellamy to barrack for 90 minutes - the main reason some CCFC fans are going!). Good luck Mickey Adams - you're going to need it....