QPR (1) – Brentford (0) – ‘He Banged it into the Net after Williams had Made an Ineffective Effort to Save’ 

Southern League (Division One) 

Team: Shaw, McDonald, Fidler, Lintott, McLean, Downing, Pentland, Cannon, Walker, Gittins, Barnes 

Attendance: 10,000 

On 7th March 1908, Rangers’ opponents at Park Royal were Brentford. The following match report appeared in the Middlesex Chronicle a week later: 

‘The meeting of these clubs at Park Royal in the Southern League on Saturday created a great deal of interest, and despite the big cup-tie attraction at Fulham, a crowd of some 10,000 persons assembled. 

About ten minutes from the kick-off, when Cannon, the Rangers’ inside-right followed up an opening made by Pentland and taking the ball from Clark almost on the goal-line, he banged it into the net after Williams had made an ineffective effort to save. 

Just before the interval the Rangers had a chance to increase their lead, as the Brentford goalkeeper was on the ground with half a dozen men all around him. In the scramble, however, the ball was got away and the danger averted. 

At half and full-back, the Rangers were very well served, although Lintott was not so effective as usual, and several times Underwood beat him by clever footwork, but Shaw, in goal, was as sound as ever.

In the second-half the Rangers’ front-line improved a bit, and Pentland, Gittins and Barnes all made gallant attempts to find the net, however, there was an absence of combination. 

McDonald, who played for White at right-back, and Fidler gave a very efficient display and frequently saved the situation. 

The Brentford team played a good game right through, without, however, doing anything extraordinary. 

Forward, their best men were Underwood and Brown on the wings, although Corbett and Parsonage by no means played badly. Bowman, however, was easily held in check by McLean. 

Like the Rangers, the Brentford halves showed up prominently, McAllister being in fine form. Watson and Clark at back were very safe, and in goal Williams performed very well.’ 

This maintained the Rangers’ league position in top spot, and the following week they recorded another 1-0 win, this time at Bristol Rovers. 

Steve Russell 

(Thanks to Colin Woodley for sending me the match report and the above image shows Rangers fans flocking to a match at Park Royal in 1908)