BLACKSTOCK RETURNS
Tuesday 20th November 2007
by Ron Norris

Rangers’ reserves drew one all with their Crystal Palace counterparts at Loftus Road tonight but the big news was the return to action of two important players.

Both Pat Kanyuka and Dexter Blackstock played the first 45 minutes as they stepped up their comebacks from thigh and knee injuries respectively.

After last weeks extremely young starting eleven there was a little more experience on show for this one. Rangers lined up with Jake Cole in goal behind a back four of Billy Coyne, Kanyuka, Andrew Howell and Lee Brown.

Youth teamers Danny Davenport, Matt O’Brien and Chris Arthur remained the midfield of choice whilst Blackstock was joined in attack by two more youngsters in Romone Rose and Angelo Balanta.

After grabbing a brace for the under 18’s on Saturday, Rose continued his fine form when he scored the opener after 52 minutes. The goal marked Rose’s first at this level of football.

Palace struck back midway through the second half to earn a share of the points but it was the return of Blackstock and Kanyuka that will be the most pleasing aspect of this evening’s game for Gigi De Canio.

Our next reserve fixture is another evening kick off at Loftus Road when we welcome Watford’s second string to HQ.

QPR: Cole, Coyne, Brown, Howell, Kanyuka (Ford), Davenport, O'Brien, Arthur, Rose, Blackstock (German), Balanta (Folkes). Subs not used: Crowther, Vanterpool.