The popular Awayday Reviews return for a new season with Tony Gibson looking back on QPR's trip to Swindon Town in the League Cup first round last week.
1 – The Match Discuss this story on the Message Board Click here and be the first user to comment on this story
A classic cup tie between two sides who clearly want to play football on the floor. Despite the close scoreline, if Rangers had been more clinical in front of goal, it would have been a massacre. Angelo Balanta give the R's the lead from close range on 33 minutes. But sadly, by the time I had written the texts to friends not in attendance, I was quickly editing it to say that Swindon had levelled through Cox. To everyone's surprise, Rangers went in at the break trailing to a Billy Paynter goal. Rangers started the second half brilliantly and were back level within forty seconds. Cook collected the ball on the left and sent a perfect ball to the far post where Blackstock arrived on cue to head into the bottom corner. The third goal wasn’t long in coming, nine minutes later and Rangers were ahead - Captain for the night, Damien Delaney fired home from ten yards with a cool finish after Ledesma's corner was only half cleared
8/10
2 – Rangers’ Performance
Some of the football being played was nothing short of sensational and the attacking play in the first half especially was a joy to behold. So much so, you can probably excuse some of the kamikaze defending at the other end…
7/10
3 – Rangers Support
Despite a quite awful night weather wise, it was an excellent turn out of Rangers fans for a midweek cup tie. The Official site quoted the numbers as 2,000 plus, the majority of which had squeezed into the Arkells stand which was of course, under cover.
8/10
4 – The Ground
A traditional old football ground with all four sides very separate from each other and also has four striking floodlight pylons, a sight which now seems to be disappearing from the country’s football landscape. The big open air away end strikes fear of rain into every away fan, although a decent chunk of the Arkells stand is also reserved – which although having an old feel about it, offers a good view and generates a good noise.
6/10
5 – Atmosphere
The home fans were pretty quiet throughout surprisingly, but the R’s in attendance were in good voice and in full support of the team, which is refreshing as like Saturday, we went behind and the way the fans turned on the team was shocking to say the least.
6/10
6 – Pre Match
A multi car pile up after Junction 13 on the M4, meant that we arrived 20 minutes into the game, hence no pre match entertainment could be had. It’s probably a tad unfair to score this one fairly and with previous visits to Swindon taken into account, which as normally been pretty good and most of the pubs very welcoming of away fans, I will sit on the fence with this one.
5/10
7 - The Journey
Hmmmm, see above….
2/10
8 – Police and Stewards
To be honest, with a late arrival, I didn’t see too many Police around, but the stewards both outside and inside the ground were both friendly and helpful. Opinions of those who arrived at the stadium at a decent hour, may differ of course.
8/10
Total – 50/80