QPR (3) – Watford (2) – ‘Unbeaten Rangers Hold Out’
Team: Cunningham, Sweetman, Young, McNab, Cockburn, Coward, Armstrong, Goddard, Burns, Rounce, Smith
Attendance: 18,263
On 6th October 1928, Rangers took on Watford at Loftus Road. The following match report appeared in the Daily News two days later:
‘The Rangers had something of a shock at Shepherd’s Bush, where they preserved their unbeaten record by defeating Watford by three goals to two.
They had been infinitely superior in the first-half, and had the commanding lead of three goals, but, bothered by sunshine afterwards, they had to defend a lot.
The home forwards were much too quick and clever for the opposing defence, which, despite the presence of Barson, never inspired much confidence, and they took the lead through Goddard.
A second goal came to the home side when McNab scored with a high, dropping shot, which Yates should have saved, and Coward obtained the third goal.
In the first minute of the second-half, McPherson scored for Watford, and subsequently the visitors did a lot of attacking.
Their second goal came by the aid of a penalty kick, awarded following a desperate scrimmage in front of the Rangers’ goal. McPherson was the scorer.’
Music was provided once again by the Willesden Town Silver Prize Band.
Rangers also had a third team who were to compete in the Metropolitan Midweek League. The first home match was played the following Thursday against Leyton Garage, kick-off 3.15. Admission was 6d to any part of the ground, via the Ellerslie Road entrance. Other teams included; West Ham, Lombardians, L.C.C. Trams and a number of Divisional Police sides.
The match programme also noted that the Reserves had beaten Southampton 8-2 at Loftus Road the previous Saturday, with goals from; Foster 4, Vallance 2, Whatmore 2.
The 1st team’s unbeaten run came to an abrupt end the following Saturday with a 1-3 defeat at Walsall.
Steve Russell
(Thanks to Sammy for lending me the match programme and also to Colin Woodley for unearthing the match report)