Coming into the game nobody had a clue what sort of side Holloway would be able to select or even whether we would have a first team keeper on show. Fortunately most of the injury worries had disappeared and Olly was able to name a strong side. Royce was in goal behind Bignot, Shittu, Santos and Rose. Rowlands, Doherty, Bircham and Cook lined up in midfield with Gallen and Furlong in attack.

The game started in, shall we say, committed fashion. With barely a minute played Furlong clattered into Hull full back Mark Lynch and in the resulting fall he managed to dislocate his knee cap. The challenge was over exuberant rather than wild from Furlong and the Hull fans got on his back for the rest of the afternoon as a result.

The first shot in anger of the season came when Bircham fired over the top of Boaz Myhill’s bar. He also collapsed under a challenge in the box moments later and seemed incensed not to get the spot kick. I think it may have been a case of his reputation preceding him, or the fact that Dermot Gallagher barely blew for a foul for the first 45 minutes!

Hull were launching the ball forward early a lot more often than I was expecting them to. They tried to get last seasons hot shot Stuart Elliott into the game whenever they could but he was being well shackled by Bignot and Rowlands. At the other end Cook and Rose linked well before the left back played Gallen into space with a delightful ball. He should have scored as he was clean through but he dragged hit shot wide of the target.

It almost proved a costly miss when Hull came within inches of taking the lead. Hull left back Andy Dawson played a ball to the far post and France turned it back into the danger zone. Former Port Vale man Steve McPhee shot goalward only to see the ball deflect of the ankle of Santos and roll wide.

With half time almost upon us Furlong missed two chances that you would expect him to take in his sleep. The first saw the ball break to him in the middle of the box with nobody around him. The right footed shot seemed a formality but he fluffed the effort and the danger was gone. Shortly after, Cook tricked his way down the left and delivered a cracking cross that was headed wide by Furs.

It was definitely Rangers’ half on points and they also started the second half as the better side. Furlong once again missed a decent chance on his right foot when he fired over from a tight angle. Just a few minutes later the jovial atmosphere within the KC Stadium was to change when the Hull City fans decided now would be a good time to taunt the R’s followers regarding the terrorist atrocities of 7^th July.

“You’re just a town full of bombers” started to echo around, emanating from the corner nearest the away support. It was absolutely disgusting and made me feel sick to the pit of my stomach. Needless to say the R’s fans were incensed and the only surprise was that there was not major disorder within the stadium as people tried desperately to keep their emotions in check. There was also a minority of R’s fans that responded with “Are you Muslims in disguise” which is also as uncalled for, luckily the majority were condemning rather than inflaming the situation. The chorus of “Maybe It’s because I’m a Londoner” made the hairs on the back of you neck stand up such was the force and feeling it was sung with. The FA must take action swiftly and decisively.

Meanwhile there was a game going on that most in the stadium had come to watch. Royce had already saved comfortably from Leon Cort when he fumbled a high freekick into the area and had to be alert to deny McPhee immediately from the rebound. Andy Dawson sent a slow moving freekick well wide of the post moments later. Dermot Gallagher had changed his first half stance of no freekicks to a soft bookings one. Both Cook and Santos were in the book for giving away the aforementioned freekicks, worse challenges had gone unpunished in the first period.

The best chance of the game was still to come though when Martin Rowlands strode purposefully through midfield. The space seemed to open up before him and he crashed a swerving thirty yarder goalward that was brilliantly saved by Myhill. He was off soon after as he seemed to be cramping up. Doherty also made way after a typically ferocious and productive display. Ainsworth and Sturridge came on but the latter lasted four minutes before he was forced off without touching the ball. Stefan Moore came on for his debut and immediately caused problems with his pace.

Chances were few as the game wore on; Bircham’s long throw was flicked on by Shittu but then easily cleared. Bircham had been an influential figure in the R’s midfield and he seems to be a better player with Doherty alongside him. Without the pressure of having to be the midfield enforcer, a role to which he is ill suited, he seems to have a lot more freedom and confidence. Let’s hope he carries this on as we have still only seen him play well in bursts.

At the end of the game both sides will have been pleased with a point. Most people would always take a draw on opening day, especially away from home, as it gives you a decent platform for what awaits you next. In our case it is Ipswich Town, a club in transition after having to revamp their strike force. They will provide a stiff test and with the number of players limping at the end of this one, we may see a much changed side for that game.

There were some good performances on show. Royce was commanding and Bignot and Rose were solid at full back. Shittu and Santos always seem a bit shaky together and they have been better than they were in this game. Doherty and Bircham linked well and Rowlands and Cook were always a threat. Gallen and Furlong will both be disappointed with their showings and they should both have opened their accounts with simple chances. As for the subs, Moore looked lively, Ainsworth ran about whilst achieving little and Sturridge did his usual trick of getting injured in the most innocuous of circumstances.

It’s good to be back!

simon@qprnet.com