QPR (1) – Plymouth Argyle (0) – ‘But for Ron Springett, Plymouth would have had this Game Firmly Tucked Away by Half-Time’
Team: Springett, Woods, Ingham, Petchey, Rutter, Angell, Dawson, Cameron, Smith, Locke, Kerrins
Attendance: 11,354
After a heavy 0-5 defeat at the Den the previous Monday, on 5th October 1958, the R’s took on Plymouth Argyle at Loftus Road. The following match report later appeared in the West London Observer:
‘Plymouth Fiddle While QPR Do Victory Dance’ – Luckily for Queen’s Park Rangers, Plymouth Argyle were, for a team holding top position in the league, were far from impressive.
They took a long time to settle down, and even then, fiddled away chances in front of goal. Rangers, on the other hand, improved as the game went on.
But if Plymouth’s attack was poor, QPR’s was even worse to begin with, lacking cohesion, method and anticipation – in fact, the lot – and looking most unlikely to score.
The defence, too, was very unsettled and there was a lot of loose marking and wild kicking.
The defenders gave an improved display after the interval, however.
None the less, but for Ron Springett, Plymouth would have had this game firmly tucked away by half-time.
Springett’s brilliant goalkeeping was often the only obstacle preventing Wilf Carter, the clever ex-West Bromwich Albion player and Plymouth’s best forward, from scoring.
With no two home forwards truly combining – and not one of them showing the initiative to take the ball through – a goalless draw seemed in the offing.
But, as too often happens, the side doing the most attacking eventually found itself in arrears, Lesley Locke scoring after Bobby Cameron had charged ex-team mate, Harry Brown, who dropped the ball.
In fairness, it must be said Rangers looked the better side after scoring, and Brown had to make some good saves during the last 10 minutes.’
Elsewhere, the local Gazette filed this report: ‘Plymouth Argyle made 33-year-old goalkeeper, Harry Brown, skipper for the day when they visited Loftus Road on Saturday. For last season Harry left Rangers to go to the West Country team.
And to add to the visitors’ pleasure, Rangers’ attackers did not give Harry Brown any real work until the second-half was under way.
But then Scottish amateur international, Leslie Locke, caring nothing for old time’s sake, seized upon a scoring opportunity to give Rangers the two points.
Rangers fought hard with never ending pressure all through the second-half and Plymouth were obviously feeling the strain.
But for the keeping of Springett, Plymouth’s inside-right, Wilf Carter, may have notched a trio of goals.’
Bernard Lambert was there and he recalls that: ‘There was a Teddy Boy on the half-way line who tried to get on the pitch when, I think, Jimmy Gauld and Pat Kerrins were involved in some fisticuffs. Perhaps it all looked worse than it actually was back then.’
The match programme noted that the first Supporters Club Dance of the season was due to take place at Hammersmith Town Hall the following Saturday evening. Tickets were 4/- each and the live music was to be provided by the ‘renowned’ Chris Stone Orchestra’.
Steve Russell
(Thanks to Colin Woodley and Bernard Lambert for their assistance)