Rangers left to rue missed chances as Watford book quarter-final place

A goal just before half-time by Etienne Capoue secured Watford a place in the last eight of the FA Cup as Queens Park Rangers were left to ponder what might have been, given their abundance of chances throughout the game.

Steve McClaren remained unchanged despite QPR’s late defeat to Bristol City on Tuesday. Javi Gracia opted to shuffled the pack a bit more as he made five changes to his previous starting line-up.

McClaren was upbeat about having a sold-out Loftus Road cheering on the R’s in his pre-match thoughts. He told the Rangers fans that “we’ll need you every step of the way” in the match programme as anticipation grew around the ground.

Referee Michael Oliver blew the whistle for the game as both set of fans paused to remember goalkeeping legend Gordon Banks, who sadly passed away on Tuesday.

QPR were looking to reach the quarter-final for the first time since 1995 and what became clear from the opening ten minutes that the game could be decided in the air. Troy Deeney and Matt Smith served as the target man for their respective sides.

It was Smith who went down on 12 minutes after a head collision with Miguel Britos. Worry filled the stands as the home side were desperate not to lose a striker who has four goals and in three games. The 27-year-old also has FA Cup pedigree having made his name after netting twice against both Liverpool and Everton in the competition for Oldham back in 2013.

Smith continued with a Terry Butcher-esque bandage strapped around his head, much to the delight of the Loftus Road faithful.

Matt Smith was a constant menace to Watford despite taking an early knock after a collision with Miguel Britos (Photo: QPR FC)

Rangers’ outlet was down their right. Poland international Pawel Wszolek searched for Smith with deep crosses, although as we reached the half way point in the first period we remained without a shot of any kind for either side.

Rather surprisingly both goalkeepers were celebrating their birthdays, with Joe Lumley (24) and Heurelho Gomes (38) hoping their team would give them an extra reason to cheer. It was the elder statesmen who was called into action first as he collected a deep free-kick from Luke Freeman’s always dangerous delivery.

One attack seemed to breed two as Watford drove at the heart of the QPR defence, and when a combination of R’s defenders failed to clear Daryl Janmaat could only stab a good chance over the bar.

A skewed Gomes clearance moments later gifted QPR a corner and when the former Tottenham man punched to another former Spur in Massimo Luongo on the edge, many around the ground held their breath as the Australian shot just wide of the left-hand post.

Gomes then prevented the R’s from taking the lead. An intercepted Jose Holebas pass was picked up by Freeman who drove towards to box before feeding Nahki Wells, but the Bermudian’s volleyed effort was just tipped wide by the Watford keeper.

It was Watford who eventually took the lead on 45 minutes. Tom Cleverly met a corner with an attempted volley, the former Manchester United man sliced his effort which fell on the edge for central midfield partner Etienne Capoue who curled a low deflected effort past Lumley in the QPR net.

The goal was Watford’s first shot on target in the match and only the second in the game. McClaren was left frustrated after conceding during a dominant period for the hosts, but his team headed into the break one goal down.

Heurelho Gomes celebrates Watford’s opening goal on the day of his 38th birthday (Photo: Twitter/@Watford FC)

Freeman dragged an effort wide to start the second period as the home side hoped they would not live to regret their impressive first-half display.

The pace and energy from Rangers was continuous with the Hornets afforded the luxury of only needing to counter given their advantage on the scoresheet.  The energy from the home crowd was firmly being aimed at referee Oliver, who waved away multiple appeals for handball.

The away side were whiskers away from a much-deserved equaliser. After a poor Christian Kabasele clearance, Wells picked up the ball and drove to the edge of the box before curling what would have been a great goal just round the far post.

Andre Gray was denied the opportunity to double Watford’s lead and pretty much seal their place in the quarter-finals but was stopped by the offside flag, a decision which looked very close on second viewing.

Tomer Hemed and Ebere Eze were introduced in quick succession as McClaren’s side searched for the goal to keep their cup dreams alive.

The chance of the night fell to captain Toni Leistner. A Rangers free-kick was half cleared and whipped back across the face by Darnell Furlong at the back post. The ball driven low along the ground fell to Leistner unmarked at the back post from no more than three yards out, but the summer signing could only poke wide on the stretch, leaving Rangers fans in disbelief that their side weren’t level.

The chance summed up the night in west London for QPR. They had created the better chances and dominated for large periods but were unable to find the net.

Gracia’s side didn’t have many chances in the fixture but made sure they took their chance when it presented itself as QPR fans leave W12 wondering how their side has lost its chance to secure a first FA Cup quarter-final in 22 years.

It was Watford who progress to put their name in the hat for the quarter-final draw on Monday night as the Hornets emerge victorious in the 112th meeting between the two sides.

Attendance: 17,212

Away fans: (2654)

Queens Park Rangers XI: Joe Lumley (GK), Darnell Furlong, Toni Leistner (C), Grant Hall (Bright Osayi-Samuel, 84) Pawel Wszolek (Ebere Eze, 76), Jordan Cousins, Massimo Luongo, Luke Freeman, Jake Bidwell, Nahki Wells (Tomer Hemed, 71), Matt Smith

Queens Park Rangers unused substitutes: Matt Ingram (GK), Josh Scowen, Ryan Manning, Osman Kakay

Watford XI: Heurelho Gomes (GK), Daryl Janmaat, Miguel Britos, Christian Kabasele, Jose Holebas, Will Hughes, Etienne Capoue, Tom Cleverley (Domingos Quina, 83), Ken Sema (Adrian Mariappa,73), Troy Deeney (C), Andre Gray (Abdoulaye Doucoure,73)

Watford unused substitutes: Pontus Dahlberg (GK), Gerard Deulofeu, Adalberto Penaranda, Marc Navarro