Ball hits stunner
QPR
MARK WARBURTON paid tribute to the QPR greats who used to perform in the red-and-white-halved throwback kit that his side wore in this thrilling game.
But he insisted that it was his players’ character rather than memories of Don Masson or Gerry Francis that had inspired the win. And what a strike it was from Dom Ball (above), a goal as good as any scored by Stan Bowles or Dave Thomas.
Hoops boss Warburton said: “There are two big pictures at the training ground commemorating the greatest Rangers team, so all the names are up there. The players are well aware of the importance of that team.
“But today they knew we had to come out and meet a very good team and we did that.”
QPR – no goals for four games – led at the break through Ilias Chair and Todd Kane.
Joe Ralls brought the Bluebirds level before substitute Ball settled it with a 25-yard injury-time stunner.
“It was a kick in the proverbials but we got what we deserved over the 90 minutes,” Cardiff boss Neil Harris said.
“The first half was the worst I’ve seen in my time in charge. I am here to win games of football and I expect my players to have the same mentality.”
QPR scored when Chair volleyed Albert Adomah’s cross into the net. Chair then crossed for Kane to score.
Cardiff hit back and four minutes into the second half Ralls shot home from the spot then, five minutes from time, he knocked in the rebound after Seny Dieng had saved his penalty.
But up stepped Ball with his stunner.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS: Dieng 6; Kane 7, Masterson 6, Barbet 6, Hamalainen 6; Carroll 7, G Cameron 7; Adomah 6 (Willock 64, 6), Chair 7 (Ball 81), Osayi-Samuel 6; Dykes 6. Unused subs: Kelly, Bonne, Kakay, Bettache, Kelman. CARDIFF CITY: Smithies 7; Bacuna 6, Morrison 7, Nelson 6, Bennett 6; Vaulks 6 (Hoilett 46, 6), Pack 7; Ojo 5, Ralls 7, Murphy 7 (Tomlin 68); Moore 6.
Unused subs: Phillips,Whyte, Bamba, Harris, Bagan.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Illias Chair. Made one, scored one, nearly got another – QPR’s main creative force.
REFEREE: Andy Woolmer7.