Green-un On line

[nevthelodgemoorowl]

Loftus Road was all sunlight and blue and white on the occasion of its first opening-day sell-out since 1979.

 

More than 3,000 Wednesday fans contributed to a vibrant atmosphere and erupted with joy when Atdhe Nuhiu marked his debut with a splendid goal.

The lanky striker won the ball in a challenge in the inside-right position, ran on a few paces and drilled a left-foot shot into the keeper’s bottom left-hand corner from around 22 yards, in the 18th minute.

But two goals in the space of three minutes just before half time put QPR ahead.

Against a background of incessant noise from both sets of fans, the home side had predictably made the early running and forced saves from Kirkland, who touched a daisy-cutter from Johnson past a post and then blocked a volley struck powerfully by the striker from the edge of the box.

Nuhiu, who stabbed a half-chance off target, was partnered up front by Jermaine Johnson, with Antonio on the right flank.

It was close contest, with Wednesday matching the bookmakers’ promotion favourites in these early stages.

The Hoops missed a great chance to equalise in the 28th minute: right back Simpson played a diagonal ball to the far post and left-winger Hoilett, unchallenged, volley over the bar from a few yards out.

Mattock was hurt in a challenge and needed a length spell of treatment.

The left back managed to play on for a few minutes but then had to hobble off and was replaced by Maghoma in the 34th minute; the sub went to the left wing, and Helan to left back.

Two minutes before that, a great stop from Kirkland denied Zamora after he got on the end of a far-post cross.

There was an element of fortune about a deserved equaliser with six minutes of normal first-half time left. A shot by Hoilett flew straight to feet of centre back ONUOHA, who turned the ball home from close range.

Wednesday were forced to defend now, QPR were inspired and they grabbed the lead in the 42nd minute, Kirkland made another superb block after the ball dropped to Barton, but the rebound went to JOHNSON and he volleyed home.

 

Half time: QPR 2 Owls 1

 

There was some half-time debate about an incident just before the equaliser where Antonio went down in the box with Traore at his back: replays apparently suggested there was some merit in the forward’s appeal for a penalty

Kirkland made another first-class stop in the 48th minute, after a glorious cross-field ball by Barton to Hoilett, who cut inside from the left and let fly.

But Wednesday should have been level a minute later. JJ ran into the right side of the box, and did everything right, seeing Antonio unmarked in the middle and playing the ball to his feet. The striker scooped his shot over the bar from eight yards, and put his hands to face in despair.

Antonio had been switched up front and JJ moved to the right.

It just did not seem to be the Owls’ day when a controversial decision went against them in the 57th minute.

Barton, who had been booked a few moments earlier for a foul, seemed to upend Maghoma in the area as the winger turned past him. Instead of giving a penalty, the referee booked the winger for alleged diving.

The pressure from QPR in the closing stages of the first half had gone: Wednesday again were matching them and were probing forward, giving their fans realistic hope of an equaliser.

Austin’s introduction in place of Zamora was welcomed by home fans; the Owls too made a change McCabe replacing Coke in midfield, in the 69th minute.

Maghoma went desperately close to a breakthrough: Nuhiu won the ball in a tackle, it ran to the winger, and his drive from the left side of the area sped along the ground only to bounce out off the far post.

Austin, who scored a hat-trick for Burnley against the Owls last season, connected with a quality cross by Barton to the far post but this time the header was easy for Kirkland.

Another throw of the Wednesday dice saw Madine come on for Nuhiu in the 77th minute.

Barton went off near the end and was replaced by another big name, Wright-Phillips.

The crowd were roused by a 60-yard run by Helan from inside his own box and a spell of full-blooded tackles from both sides.

An excellent block from Gardner denied Hoilett a goal, and Kirkland made a brilliant catch from a low ball by Traore - but 3-1 would have flattered QPR after a respectable display from the Owls against a side who were in the Premier League last season.

 

QPR: (4-4-2) Green, Simpson, Onuoha, Traore, Hill, Barton, Henry, Faurlin, Hoilett, Johnson, Zamora. Subs: Murphy, Derry, Dunne, Austin, Wright-Phillips, Yun, Jenas.

OWLS: (4-4-2) Kirkland, Palmer, Zayatte, Gardner, Mattock, Antonio, Coke, Prutton, Helan, J Johnson, Nuhiu. Subs: Davies, Semedo, Madine, Maghoma, Taylor, McCabe, Llera

Ref: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire).

 

My question is...Did Paul Thompson leave Sheffield to compile this poo report.   2/10

[Guest Deleted member]

Why is it poo ?

[BIG D]

We lost?

[camffiti]

Green Un online - The ultimate dunt matter

[theowlsman]

I leant against the chocolate section, at the local newsagents, for half an hour, waiting patiently, staring out of the window for the Star and Telegraph van, before going home to download it.

 

These guys in Florida think I'm crazy

[Leaping Lannys Perm]

Quite possibly some of the worst stream if conciousness writing I have ever read. Completely devoid of text structure.

[fatzooma]

Lacks emotional content.

[Guest Fulham Fox]

 

 

These guys in Florida think I'm crazy

I can understand that

[since59owe]

I leant against the chocolate section, at the local newsagents, for half an hour, waiting patiently, staring out of the window for the Star and Telegraph van, before going home to download it.

 

These guys in Florida think I'm crazy

Reyt

[M Royds]

Yes Nev, I would also like to know why it's sh!te?