Hitchcock the hero as QPR beat Ipswich

By

QPR 1 Ipswich Town 0

Tom Hitchcock’s late winner – six minutes into his QPR debut – clinched  a dramatic win for QPR.

The 20-year-old, who is the son of Rangers goalkeeping coach Kevin Hitchcock, was in the right place at the right time to poke home from three yards with just a minute remaining.

Prior to that Rangers had struggled to break down their opponents, striking the crossbar twice, first through Clint Hill and then Charlie Austin.

Junior Hoilett limped off on 54 minutes but Rangers still found the creative spark to force the winner.

After a lacklustre start Rangers burst into life with a series of chances midway through the half.

Shaun Wright-Phillips latched onto a Richard Dunne knockdown on 24 minutes but his fierce drive was deflected away.

Ipswich’s last-gasp defending was seen to great effect again minutes later as Tommy Smith threw himself in the way of an Austin strike following some good work by Hoilett.

Sensing a goal, Austin was then denied from close range by keeper Scott Loach when Danny Simpson supplied the ammunition from the right flank.

It wasn’t all Rangers, however.

Ipswich should have taken the lead through Daryl Murphy on 35 minutes but Robert Green denied the former Sunderland man from eight yards with a fine fingertip save.

Rangers were forced into a change early in the second period as Hoilett, who has been the subject of interest from Stoke City after an impressive start to the campaign, limped off with what looked like a hamstring injury. He was replaced by new signing Gary O’Neil.

Joey Barton’s delivery from set-pieces has added plenty to QPR’s play and he came close to providing Hill with a goal on 57 minutes.

His free-kick presented the R’s defender with a perfect opportunity to head home but from six yards his flick was poorly misjudged and came back off the crossbar.

Rangers pressed on and Austin should have scored on 77 minutes

Wright-Phillips jinked in from the left flank and floated a perfect ball through to the former Burnley front man.

His first touch was excellent but from only six yards he managed to smash the woodwork with a fierce but wayward effort.

Then came Hitchcock’s magical moment.

The youngster turned home from close range to send Loftus Road into delirium after Austin’s shot had been parried by Loach.

QPR (4-4-2): Green; Simpson, Dunne, Onuoha, Hill; Wright-Phillips, Barton, Henry (Jenas 76), Hoilett (O’Neil 54); Zamora (Hitchcock 83), Austin.
Subs not used: Murphy, Suk-Young, Ehmer, Shariff.