Chery on top for QPR late show
TJARONN Chery’s late winner saw QPR complete a smash and grab raid away at Huddersfield – but R’s boss Chris Ramsey remained tight-lipped on star striker Charlie Austin’s future.
The Dutchman’s third strike in two games was enough to clinch victory for the London side to stretch their league winning streak to three games.
And though admitting his side’s fortune in the encounter, head coach Ramsey would not be drawn on whether in-demand England striker Austin will still be a QPR player when the transfer window closes on Tuesday.
“I wouldn’t like to say because if I’m being honest, my gut feeling was at pre-season that he wouldn’t be here so I’ve been wrong,” he said.
“I think a lot of the young players look up to him and I think it will be a big boost for us because he’s a goalscorer and we know that, as long as he’s on the pitch, there’s going to be always an opportunity that he’s going to win us the game or bring the game back for us.
“Sometimes you have to put your hand up when you’ve been fortunate to take three points but an away win is very important to us at this stage.”
Austin fired a fourth-minute shot from distance which Chery diverted just over Joe Murphy’s bar.
Matt Phillips cut inside from the right and fired a low 12th-minute cross into a crowded box which Tommy Smith was fortunate not to put into the back of his own net.
The hosts responded through Jacob Butterfield – subject of rejected bids from Derby – who unleashed a fierce 19th-minute long-range drive but Rob Green was equal to it.
Sean Scannell went toe-to-toe with veteran defender Paul Konchesky and nearly triumphed after beating the defender and fizzing a 23rd-minute ball across the face of goal.
Smith gave away possession and nearly rued his 33rd-minute error when Chery broke free down the left and fired a cross into a sliding Austin who failed to connect with the goal gaping.
After a tight first half, Terriers substitute Martin Cranie’s goal- bound header from Butterfield’s corner was cleared through some frantic defending from the London side.
Chery tried his luck with an ambitious left-wing free-kick on 64 minutes which flew past a diving Murphy and sailed just wide.
Phillips produced QPR’s best moment to that point when his 67thminute run ended with a fierce shot that Murphy parried wide with a fine diving save.
As chances continued to come at a premium, the ball fell to Ishmael Miller on the edge of the area but he placed his 74th-minute effort off target.
But the deadlock was finally broken by the visitors when Massimo Luongo broke free and drove a low 84th-minute cross for Chery who slid in to apply the finishing touch.
Town boss Chris Powell – whose side are yet to win this season – believes the Huddersfield hierarchy will remain strong on any future bids for midfielder Butterfield.
“Obviously with Butterfield we’ve stayed strong, we’ve rebuffed some bids and I know my chairman will continue to stay strong on that,” he said. #
“But he’s been a top, top player for me and he’s a top player for us and we want 6pm to come along pretty quickly on Tuesday.”