Post by QPR Report on Nov 19, 2008 7:44:57 GMT
Gulf Weekly/STAN SZECOWKA - Moments to treasure
GULFWEEKLY winners Paul Bicknell, David Baker and David Axtell enjoyed a flying visit to watch Gulf Air-sponsored Queen Park Rangers in the club's determined bid to win promotion back to the Premiership.
The trio had correctly guessed the side's fabulous 4-1 victory over Southampton but there was not to be a repeat performance against Cup giant-killers Burnley who left Loftus Road with all three points in a thrilling encounter.
Yet it could all have been so different had the Super Hoops made more of the marvelous opening 20-minutes which saw them taking the lead through prolific striker Dexter Blackstock.
Instead, the Clarets leapt to fourth place in the Championship following a midweek Carling Cup victory at Premiership leaders Chelsea.
F1 supremos Flavio Briattori and Bernie Ecclestone, two of QPR's billionaire backers, were among the crowd at Loftus Road, west London, as Robbie Blake hammered a thunderous 20-yard effort past stunned keeper Radek Cerny and watched as substitute Alan Mahon later netted a well-taken winner.
At the other end, QPR were twice denied penalty shouts for infringements on Blackstock. Now the club must regroup for a renewed assault on a play-off spot under acting manager Gareth Ainsworth, the club's popular winger who is still standing in charge after manager Iain Dowie was sacked for inconsistent results only 12 games into the season.
Bicknell, 38, of Hamala, the head of facilities and engineering at DHL Express, Bahrain, said: "Whilst the result didn't go the right way, the whole experience will stay with me for many years to come!
"As a lifelong QPR fan it was fabulous to see first hand the huge development taking place at Loftus Road, and for the opportunity to meet with various QPR management and sponsors to understand their ideas and plans to get the club back into the Premiership where they belong!"
Our winning trio enjoyed a VIP reception, lunch in the executive box, plus the chance to have their photographs taken at the players' tunnel and in the manager's dug-out.
Public relations consultant Baker, 54, now living in Dubai after a 14-year spell in Bahrain, added: "I've supported the club since I was a little boy and it's great to feel the positive atmosphere now being generated."
Axtell, 38, from Saar, a health insurance company's regional manager, enjoyed the amazing second part of a GulfWeekly contest weekend extravaganza - flying to London straight after a trophy-taking performance at the opening of The Royal Golf Club's new course at Riffa Views.
"This is one sporting weekend I will treasure forever," he said after securing a spot alongside Camilo Villegas in GulfWeekly's 'Play With A Star' auction which raised funds to support young golfers in the kingdom.
www.gulfweeklyworldwide.com/article.asp?Sn=6014&Article=20757
