'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The second half started with Stephen Warnock gifting Austin the ball on the half way line. He scampered away from the distant home defence only for Kenny to thwart him with a good save. Leeds responded with a rare attack that saw McCormack appealing for a penalty after Danny Simpson handled in the box but referee Atwell waved play on. QPR were beginning to take control of the game as they dominated possession.
Ross McCormack battles with Joey Barton and Shaun Wright-Phillips
Hunt and Varney gave way for Smith and Poleon on the hour as McCormack tried to get Leeds back in the game. Smith went near with his first touch as his lunging header caused havoc in the visiting defence. Poleon also got a shot away to give the Leeds faithful hope. The home side’s lack of width was holding them back though as far too few attempted balls into the box came from anywhere but near the bye line and were easily repelled by Dunne and Onouha at the heart of the ‘Gers defence.
QPR’s greater possession finally told on 75 minutes when Hill scrambled the ball home from a free kick after the ball ricocheted around the Leeds box. 1-0 Queens Park Rangers. It looked a long way back for Leeds having hardly tested Green in the ‘Gers goal. Diouf replaced Green and as ever showed flashes of class and trickery, but not enough to create a goal as the game headed for 5 minutes of added time.
Leeds threw everything forward in an attempt to preserve their unbeaten record. Pearce’s header flew wide whilst Poleon wriggled free of his marker only to hit a tame shot at Green. Then just as the final seconds ticked away, Rudy Austin so nearly brought the house down as he hit a screamer from 35 yards that Green could only watch as it hit the bar. The whistle went shortly afterwards to signal a hard fought win for QPR. 1-0.
A reality check for Leeds in this very tough and tight division. The visitors just about deserved their victory and on this evidence will be challenging come May next year.
For Leeds, Murphy did well as did Wooton, Pearce and Peltier. Warnock had an off day with too many misplaced passes. “The only positive is that we would have lost this 3-0 last year,” my friend muttered as we shuffled for the shuttle bus back to the town centre. The pre-match buzz had evaporated from the majority of fans as they made their way home. Football is a cruel game at times.
The journey home was quiet as the disappointment of the defeat sank in. Cyber space was alive with doom and gloom, demanding we sign Lionel Messi before it’s too late, but we are only 5 games into the league season. We’ve made a good start and McDermott has got the ship pointing in the right direction. Let’s not panic just yet. Bolton at the Reebok next. Another tough test for Leeds. Can we bounce back against the Trotters? I do hope so.
