QUEENS PARK RANGERS 0 CITY 0
League Division 1
22nd March 1977
attendance 17,619
ref R Toseland
City Corrigan, Clements, Donachie, Booth, Watson, Conway, Barnes, Kidd, Royle, Hartford, Tueart – sub Power(unused)
QPR Parkes, Clement, Gillard, Hollins, Abbott, Webb, Thomas, Eastoe, Masson, Kelly, Givens
FROM THE PRESS BOX
REPORT FROM THE GUARDIAN 23RD MARCH 1977
A scoring average in the First Division this season of little over a goal a game was not improved when QPR failed
to overcome the dour, disciplined resistance of Manchester City in a goalless draw at Loftus Road last night. QPR
held territorial sway for most of this absorbing encounter and City seemed for the most part content to play for a point but sharper finishing by Tueart could easily have snatched victory for the visitors in the final stages.
QPR were by far the more creative and entertaining side, improvising in units of three or four players whose instinct for the others’ intention and possession seemed barely affected by the absence through injury of Francis, Bowles and McLintock. But doubts about their ultimate effectiveness grew in conviction as their forwards failed to press home their marked midfield authority or, indeed, take advantage of several defensive errors by Tommy Booth who, as City’s replacement for the injured Doyle, seemed severely lacking in first team confidence.
Givens could well have given QPR an early two-goal lead, First he dispossessed Booth 40 yards out and danced round Corrigan’s defence but, with an empty goal before him somehow stumbled and fell ?at on his face. Soon afterwards his thunderous drive from the edge of the box flew a yard wide with Corrigan rooted in surprise. Givens‘ target count also included two fierce drives that City were grateful to scramble clear.
Webb and the powerful Abbott made the occasional careless pass at the back for QPR and City carved out good
chances for Booth and Tueart, who both saw close range headers stopped on the line by Masson and Parkes respectively. But even when Thomas had to retire from the game with an injured thigh, QPR’s syncopated
rhythm proved fluid enough to accommodate the admirable Shanks and the geater volume of pressure continued to be felt by City.
However, Watson looked safe enough at centre back after an early fright from Eastoe, who almost broke through the middle, and Hartford and Conway supplemented the tigerish midfield covering with some accurate shooting.