SUBS SETTLE SAINTS SCORELINE
Tuesday 22nd April 2008
by Ron Norris

Rangers' reserves picked up a point at title chasing Southampton to haul themselves off the bottom of the Combination League on Tuesday night. The R's lined up with the usual mix of youth teamers, trialists and fringe players as they looked to become the first side to defeat The Saints on their own patch this season.

Fresh from winning the under 18's championship on Saturday, Billy Coyne, Matt O'Brien, Danny Maguire, Chris Arthur and Antonio German were all given a run out in this one.

Reece Crowther was on the bench for the first team last weekend but got a start here whilst Romone Rose popped back from his AFC Wimbledon work experience spell to start up front.

Also in the side were trialists Elliot Braithwaite and Ross Kelly whilst Chris Barker and Zesh Rehman made one of their last ever appearances in a Hooped shirt. Possibly.

A win for Southampton would have seen them overtake title rivals Charlton at the top of the table and for much of the game it looked like this one would go with form, however it took until the 76th minute for the home side to take the lead.

Second half substitute David McGoldrick was off the pitch for treatment, as he was waved back into play he robbed Braithwaite of possession and rounded Crowther to slot home.

Our equaliser came deep into added on time and it was Rangers' two subs that would settle the scores. Aaron Morgan-Cummings, on for German, crossed and Lee Brown, who had replaced Arthur, slotted home his first of the season to secure the draw.

With Charlton having now completed their fixtures Southampton must beat third placed Watford to take the Combination crown for this season. Rangers meanwhile have two more fixtures to play to ensure they don't end up with the wooden spoon, starting with with the visit of Gary Waddock's Aldershot to Loftus Road on May 1st.

QPR: Crowther, Coyne, Rehman, Braithwaite, Barker, Kelly, O'Brien (Smith), Maguire, Arthur (Brown), German (Morgan-Cummings), Rose. Subs used: Goodchild, Wright.