QPR 0-1 Ipswich Town:

by Layth Yousif
at Loftus Road

A 75th-MINUTE strike from the visitors’ Conor Chaplin was enough to win a hard-fought Championship clash at Loftus Road on Saturday.

In front of 16,790 fans on a sunny summer’s afternoon in west London, the Town No 10 slotted home past experienced Rs keeper Asmir Begovic to send Kieran McKenna’s side to the top of the table.

The victory made it three wins out of three for the Suffolk side — 14 victories from their past 16 games — and are now unbeaten in 22 league matches, with many predicting McKenna’s impressive side could well be celebrating promotion to the promised land of the Premier League next year.

However, speaking after the match, Town boss McKenna scoffed at early talk of promotion: “We’ve ignored it. We focus on performances and results. There are certainly no deluded heads in that dressing room. We know how hard we’re having to work in every game.

“We’re doing some things well, but we know we can still improve. The margins are going our way and we know that if you keep improving and doing the right things then you give yourself a better chance. We know how tough the division is.

“There’s certainly no chance of anyone getting ahead of themselves. The players are happy but they’re tired and know they’re going to have to work just as hard, or harder, against Leeds next week.”

It is still early days, and the second tier must be considered one of the most gruelling leagues in world football, through its sheer relentless intensity.

Gareth Ainsworth’s side made it tough for Town, buoyed by a cracking atmosphere generated from both sets of fans, with the contest full of dogged endeavour and ferocious commitment.

The talented but raw Sinclair Armstrong caught the eye at times — and was hailed as “tremendous” by boss Ainsworth prior to hobbling off midway through the second half.

The Irish U21 international unleashed a rasping low shot that visitors’ keeper Vaclav Hladky did well to keep out, prior to Ilias Chair going close with a long-range effort. The 25-year-old Moroccan international then fired the wrong side of the increasingly beleaguered Hladky’s near post.

Following Chaplin’s strike, as the clock ticked down late in the second half with Rangers desperately seeking to regain parity, Chair attempted an audacious shot from near the halfway line.

The stunning effort would have been a strong contender for goal of the season if a desperately back-pedaling Hladky hadn’t somehow managed to tip the ball over the ball at the very last moment, as McKenna’s impressive side held on for victory.

Speaking after the match, bullish QPR boss Ainsworth said: “I’ve got to look past this result. We’re a mile away from where we were last season and it’s so good to see. The boys were brilliant and gave everything.

“I’m gutted we haven’t got anything from it but I’m also hugely happy with the performance. Mark my words — and I really hope I’m proved right here — I think we can achieve things. I think we’re going to be fine. Write us off at your peril this year.”