October 8, 2007: Mick Harford's first win vs Norwich
Team: Camp, Barker, Stewart, Bolder, Ainsworth, Rowlands, Sahar, Ephraim, Vine, Leigertwood, Cranie
Subs: Cole, Bignot, Timoska, Jarrett, Moore.QPR OFFICIAL SITEMartin Rowlands' second half spot-kick ensured QPR headed into the international break on a high with a first victory of the campaign, in front of the live Sky Sports cameras.
Rowlands bagged the only goal of a one-sided contest midway through the second period, when referee Peter Walton pointed to the spot following Ian Murray's foul on home debutant Rowan Vine.
Victory was no less than the R's deserved, after their most creative performance of the season.
Rowlands was denied by the woodwork and Vine saw his thunderous volley tipped to safety by the overworked David Marshall, as the R's produced a much-improved display in front of a star-studded Loftus Road Director's Box.
Still reeling from the R's 4-2 defeat against Colchester United a few days earlier, Caretaker Manager Mick Harford made three changes to the QPR side.
Portsmouth loanee Martin Cranie replaced Danny Cullip at the heart of the R's defence, while Damion Stewart was restored to the Rangers back four, with Mikele Leigertwood returning to his usual central midfield berth, at the expense of Jason Jarrett.
Chelsea loan star Ben Sahar replaced Dexter Blackstock in attack, alongside home debutant Vine.
Norwich were minus the services of former R's front-man Jamie Cureton, who missed out with a foot injury, but Jason Shackell returned from suspension to skipper the Canaries.
On a balmy October evening in West London, the game started at a nice tempo and it was Rangers who made most of the early running.
Vine's seventh minute pull-back from the by-line fell perfectly into the path of the roaming Leigertwood, whose driven 18-yard effort shaved the outside of David Marshall's right hand post.
It was Vine's strike partner Sahar who spurned the next opportunity, firing into the midriff of Dion Dublin after he homed in on goal from a position on the left flank.
Rowlands' resultant corner kick was only half cleared at the back post and Ainsworth lashed a first-time volley into the arms of Marshall.
Sahar's pace and strength was causing Dublin and Shackell constant problems and when the Israeli front-man bore down on goal on the half hour, the latter did just enough to prevent him from letting fly.
Replays suggested Sahar was dragged back by the Norwich skipper, but referee Peter Walton was not forthcoming with the decision.
Norwich fans were made to wait until the 32nd minute to see their side create an opportunity.
Jon Ostemobor broke from deep, but having left two in his wake, his finish lacked the sufficient power to test Camp.
Rangers continued to pepper the Norwich goal and moments later, the lively Ephraim brought the best out of Marshall, who dived full stretch to beat the left sided midfielder's 25-yard effort to safety.
Norwich created the final chance of the half on the stroke of half-time, when Dublin headed over Darren Huckerby's corner kick.
That proved to be Dublin's final act of the match, with Ian Murray replacing the veteran defender on the resumption.
Rangers were soon back in the groove at the start of the second half, with the unlucky Rowlands denied by the woodwork in the 47th minute.
Playing in an unorthodox right-back position, Rowlands broke from just inside his own half before unleashing a venomous 25-yard drive, which Marshall could only watch onto the foot of his post.
If the R's first half penalty shout was optimistic, their second half appeal in the 50th minute was anything but.
Vine robbed Shackell yet again out wide and when he cut inside the penalty box, the Norwich centre-half was extremely fortunate not to give away a spot-kick, as he grabbed a large chunk of his shirt and dragged the R's loanee to ground.
Yet despite vocal appeals from the entire R's squad and the partisan supporters in the Loft, referee Walton was unmoved.
Rowlands was leading the R's crusade, firing an ambitious 30-yard free-kick on target, which Marshall dealt with, albeit at the second attempt.
It was third time lucky for the R's in the 66th minute, when Vine nipped in front of Murray, nudged the ball forward with his knee and was sent tumbling to ground by Murray.
Walton had no hesitation this time, pointing straight to the spot and Rowlands did the rest, thrashing a powerful right foot drive in to the bottom left hand corner to hand Rangers a thoroughly deserved opening goal.
Buoyed by their goal, the R's created a further two chances in as many minutes.
Ainsworth's thunderous 30-yard volley was deflected wide via the head of Adam Drury and from the resultant corner kick, the impressive Stewart saw his stooping header acrobatically tipped over by Marshall.
The purple patch continued, with Vine seeing his splendid 71st minute volley on the turn tipped to safety by the Scottish custodian.
Norwich threatened briefly when Darel Russell fired a speculative shot straight at Camp, but the reaction of the City faithful said it all, as they mimicked their sides' efforts with a jovial round of applause.
Ephraim was denied the goal his virtuoso display undoubtedly deserved when his low, close-range strike was blocked by Marshall at his near post, but it mattered little, as the R's held on to bag all three points, for the first time this season.
QPR: Camp, Barker, Stewart, Bolder, Ainsworth (Jarrett 86), Rowlands, Sahar (Moore 68), Ephraim (Timoska 90), Vine, Leigertwood, Cranie.
Attendance: 10, 514 QPR
QPR: Camp, Barker, Stewart, Bolder, Ainsworth (Jarrett 85), Rowlands, Sahar (Moore 69), Ephraim, Vine, Leigertwood, CranieSUBS NOT USED: Cole (GK), Bignot, Timoska
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