Wrexham 1-3 QPR: Super Hoops Slay Dragons
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Wrexham fell to another defeat at the Racecourse as they continue to find life after their triumphant return to the second tier isn’t always sunny. The Red Dragons only lost twice at home all season last time out and are having a hard time adjusting, equalling that tally just five games into the new campaign.
Early Breakthrough for QPR
The R’s, however, are experiencing an uptick in form after a busy summer transfer window. Their new signings are finding form and fitness and putting the humiliating 7-1 defeat at Coventry well behind them with back-to-back convincing wins as they look to climb the table.
The away side opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark. Captain Jimmy Dunne’s long throw from the right was brought under control by Richard Kone, whose eventual shot was blocked into the path of Rumarn Burrell. His close-range effort was straight at the goalkeeper, but the ball ricocheted into the defending Conor Coady and trickled into the empty net. It wasn’t pretty but they all count.
Coady almost made up for his unfortunate error immediately, sending a looping ball from his own half over the QPR back line and straight into the path of Ryan Hardie. The new Wrexham number nine did well to get on the end of the pass but could only direct it agonisingly wide of the post as he still searches for his first Championship goal for his new club.
New signing Richard Kone is looking like a steal for QPR, as he scored just before half-time to double their lead and net his third in as many games. Hindsight is 20:20, but it’s a wonder half the league weren’t queuing up for his signature with a striker of his quality available for just a reported £3m. His goal today came after some great one-touch buildup from QPR, the ball finding its way to Kone 25 yards out. He took two touches and Coady backed off, allowing the forward to unleash a devastating shot from the top of the box into the Wrexham goal via the crossbar and send the R’s into the break two goals to the good.
The second half started much the same, Wrexham stopper Okonkwo being tested again by a bending shot from Martinique international Jonathan Varane. Wrexham fashioned a few chances of their own, but nothing capable of beating an on-form Paul Nardi in the QPR goal. This prompted Phil Parkinson to make three changes on the hour to try and breathe some fire into the Dragons’ performance.
Just six minutes later, Kieffer Moore did what he does best as he rose highest to meet a Lewis O’Brien corner and nod the ball into the net beyond a helpless Nardi. One goal back and on the hunt for another, Wrexham committed more men forward.
Burrell Seals It
Pushing for an equaliser would be their eventual downfall. Dunne swung his foot at a loose ball on the edge of his own area to clear the danger following an extended period of Wrexham pressure that ended up travelling nearly the length of the pitch. Veteran Coady showed his age as he trudged through treacle chasing the pass, QPR frontman Burrell ran his heart out to beat him to the ball despite giving him a 20 yard head start. His heavy touch into the box caught Okonkwo off-guard and he was unable to close the gap before the ball was dinked over him for 3-1. Game over.
America’s Sweethearts never give up though, Wrexham carried on searching for a way back into the game but it just wasn’t to be. Substitute Sam Smith came closest, sending a Nathan Broadhead cross wide with a free header from the edge of the six-yard box. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t scored and he’s not the only one.
The Verdict
The full-time whistle rang out in Wales and the home faithful are getting used to the unfamiliar taste of disappointment once again. Plenty of action for the neutral as a solid display from both keepers and some interesting finishing kept the score down to just the four goals. We’re only five games into the season, but Wrexham’s plethora of summer additions will have to start gelling soon to avoid spending the better part of their return to the championship looking back over their shoulders at the relegation zone. QPR started poorly, but have put some good performances together as of late and looked like scoring every time they came forward today. With some favourable fixtures coming up and Kone in scintillating form, if the R’s can tighten up defensively expect to see them pushing for the Play-Off spots in the near future.