Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers 1968/69

CITY 3 QUEENS PARK RANGERS 1

League Division 1

15th March 1969

attendance 28,859

scorers
City Lee(pen), Bowyer, Young
QPR Leach(7)

Ref K Wynn

City  Dowd, Book, Pardoe, Doyle, Booth, Oakes, Summerbee, Bell, Lee, Young, Owen – sub Bowyer(45)

QPR Spratley, Watson, Gillard, Hazell, Hunt, Keetch, Morgan, Leach, Clarke, Marsh, Glover – sub Sibley(unused)

FROM THE PRESS BOX

Rangers ambled out for this match with a marked lack of enthusiasm, took a little lift from a triangular move which reaped an early goal for Leach and then hit the earth with a thud.
Everton’S Alan Ball watched City in preparation for Saturday’s Cup semi-final. He must report back that Summerbee is again at his slippery arrogant best.
But crazily Rangers were actually clutching the prospect of their first away victory right up to the half-way mark.
At the attacking end City’s early mobility was mostly provided by Lee’s eagerness and crisp combinations, but Stratley’s bold and quick reactions dealt with the dangers.
Rangers ended with morale shattered, their brief moments of hope going when Dowd stopped a shuddering shot from Marsh, and late on, leaped smartly to an effort from Glover.
The equaliser, which had to come, was from the penalty spot and driven in viciously by Lee. It was awarded after Young had been pulled down by Spratley.
Rangers’ keeper went full stretch to deflect a power drive from Pardoe soon afterwards, but Substitute Bowyer, Doyle did not come on after the interval because of an ankle injury, showed quick thinking in sliding for a loose ball to score his first senior goal.
The third goal was a typical left foot blast from Young just outside the penalty box after Bell had prodded him away.
Rangers seemed resigned to returning to the Second Division, but stout hearts like Hunt and Spratley tried to defy the odds.
PAUL DOHERTY WRITING IN THE SUNDAY PEOPLE 16TH MARCH 1969