Andy Johnson’s goal - courtesy of a moment of attacking quality from an unlikely source - kept up QPR’s unbeaten start to the season at Bolton. Lewis Jones was at the Reebok Stadium for LFW.

Clint Hill had unfinished business with Bolton Wanderers and the Reebok Stadium.

A shambolic refereeing decision here a year and a half ago cost him a deserving Premier League goal following years of hard graft through the lower leagues to reach the top table of English football. It was a moment he should have been able to cherish.

It was hard not to feel his pain. Thanks to that moment, Clint Hill will almost certainly retire without a top flight goal to his name. His face as he wheeled away to celebrate his ghost goal was one of disbelief, anger and frustration. The thought of scoring for QPR then having it disallowed wrongly is a nightmare all us fans have had at one stage. We can relate.

Fast forward 18 months and Hill, in his 101st game for the club with two Supporters’ Player of the Year’s gongs under his belt, was again wheeling away, this time at the other end of the ground in front of 564 maniacs in the away end.

He had just produced a moment of magic and guile on the left-flank to set up a tap in for Andy Johnson to net the important winner. Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan, who clawed Hill’s ‘goal’ from three yards past the line in the previous meeting here, even had the cheek to look across to the linesman again. Stevie Wonder could have given this one. Cheeky. Git.

It was a goal of sheer brilliance in a turgid game. Rangers pinged the ball through midfield before Hill showed the awareness of mind to get beyond his opposition full-back Alex Baptiste by linking up cleverly with Charlie Austin. A quick one-two and an uncharacteristic rapid change of pace by the 34-year-old bamboozled the Bolton backline. Hill then had the presence of mind to roll a perfect ball across Bogdan for his teammate to notch the easiest goal he’ll ever score.

Prior to the goal, QPR had been about as threatening as a boxer with no fists. Bolton packed more of a punch but their knockout blow was limp in comparison to the defensive brilliance of Robert Green and Nedum Onuoha, who were protected impeccably by a destructive, enforcing performance by the previously snail-like Karl Henry. This ugly clash was right up his street.

This was a game that not only showed the downsides to the Championship as an entertainment commodity but also the tactical ineptness showed at this level by both players and managers. QPR and Bolton spent three quarters of the game attacking down both flanks, hoofing balls into the box from unthreatening angles only for inadequate cross after inadequate cross to be cleared by one of the four centre backs. It was like Groundhog Day at times.

It was no surprise to see that when attacks came through the middle or in behind the full-backs - like Hill did for the goal - good chances were created. A team of Zat Knight, David Wheater, Richard Dunne and Baptiste, would fail to win a relay race at a primary school sports day such is their lack of natural speed. Ask them to head balls all day and they’ll gladly step-up, but get them on the turn and it’s a different ball game. Both teams failed to realise that, especially Bolton.

The Wanderers’ manager Dougie Freedman was even given a first-hand example of the lack of QPR pace in Dunne’s legs on 17 minutes but failed to switch his tactics. A shocking pass back from Joey Barton caught Dunne short and within a flash, Jermaine Beckford was through one-on-one with Green. Those who remember Beckford from his Leeds days would have expected the net to bulge but the locals didn’t seem too surprised when he scuffed a poor shot three yards wide. It rather summed up the entire game. Shit defending. Shit attacking.

Green had to be alert six minutes later to deny Jay Spearing, who showed he’s more than just a midfield bully with a technically sound showing. This free-kick wasn’t potent but it still had to be tipped over by Green, whose fingertips were called upon again 13 minutes later. His next save was a stunner.

Since moving to QPR Green’s quality hasn’t been in doubt as much as his mental strength. With Julio Cesar now out of the picture, or seemingly so, his game has looked strong and the save to deny Mohammed Kamara was a thing of beauty. This was a 25-yard-strike set for the top-corner. It was near perfect. But in this form Green only gets beaten by perfection itself. He somehow flung himself across and got the slightest, but a very valuable, touch, to push it onto the woodwork. The away end stood and applauded.

Junior Hoilett’s pace and dribbling ability continued to be missed and an Austin 30-yard-drive that was deflected over was about as good as it got from a QPR attacking sense. But the back nine stood strong and showed a great level of organisation. Henry deserves huge credit for that. He marshalled his troops with real passion and led by example with some important sliding challenges.

After the goal on 54 minutes, Rangers were intent on shutting up shop and they completed the task with flying colours.

The introduction of Bobby Zamora for a hot-headed Austin, who needlessly got involved with Marc Tierney and picked up a booking, signalled QPR’s intent for the final 20 minutes. This is what Zamora does well, supposedly, holding the play up and slowing the game down by keeping the ball. It was hardly an inspiring cameo though, yet his work-rate couldn’t be questioned.

Bolton’s best chance came when, like QPR, they found that sliding balls through the middle in behind slow human beings was the key. Lively sub Robert Hall, on loan from West Ham and somehow not deemed good enough to get in this Bolton side, tried this Dunne targeting tactic and it nearly paid off. He released fellow sub Craig Davies through the heart of the QPR backline but Green was alert with a strong one-handed save to his right. If only Craig Davies could re-e-wind.

QPR dropped deeper but a dogged last ten minutes of clearances from Dunne, Hill and Onuoha never really gave Bolton the platform to build up enough pressure. Job done. Three points.

It’s clear that this bunch of players are now pulling in the same direction and the togetherness and organisation shown for long periods in this match was a very positive sign. Speaking to a couple of them after the match for West London Sport, it’s also pretty certain that they expect to take it up a notch over the next few weeks. Improvement can be expected, especially in attacking areas.

The goal was a taster of what the players think they can achieve. It was one of such quality - both individually through Hill and collectively as a team - that if Manchester United had scored it, Sky Sports pundits would still be wanking now.

And all from a player who was once quoted: “I’m not quick, I’m not skilful and I don’t stand out.” You’re not fooling us, Clint. This one counted and the ghost goal was laid to rest.

Hill the hero. Redemption at the Reebok.

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Bolton: A Bogdan 6; A Baptiste 6, Z Knight 7, D Wheater 7, M Tierney 6; T Ream 5 (R Hall 72 7), M Kamara 7, J Spearing 8, C Lee 7; J Beckford 5 (C Davies 67 6), D Ngog 5 (Moritz 67 6).

Subs Not Used: A Lonergan, T Mears, M Mills, O Odelusi

Bookings: Tierney 58 (unsporting behaviour)

QPR: R Green 8; D Simpson 7, R Dunne 7, N Onuoha 8, C Hill 8; S Wright-Phillips 6 (Traore 6), K Henry 8, J Barton 6, G O'Neil 7; A Johnson 7 (Jenas -) C Austin 6 (Zamora 71 6)

Subs not used: B Murphy, Y Suk-Young, T Hitchcock, A Faurlin.

Goals: Johnson 54 (assisted Hill)

Bookings: Dunne 8 (foul), Barton 21 (foul), Henry 49 (foul), Austin 58 (unsporting behaviour), Simpson 84 (foul), Onuoha 87 (foul).

QPR Star Man — Robert Green 8 Harsh to ignore Hill’s contribution to the game but his all round play was sloppy at times despite his brilliant assist. Green was solid throughout. His save from Kamara in the first half was bordering on world-class and he owned his penalty area with some confident takes from corners. Near faultless.

Referee — James Adcock (South Yorkshire) 5 An early booking to Richard Dunne for some reason meant every other wrongly timed tackle was a booking. QPR picked up six yellow cards during a pretty timid affair.

Attendance — 16.999 (564 QPR) Atmosphere was non-existent but you can blame Sky for that not the fans. Only chants came from those brilliant people in the away-end, who got their reward for travelling to the other end of Britain for a televised 12:15 kick-off. Beautiful morons.

Tweet @loftforwords @_L_Jones

Pictures — Action Images

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timcocking added 20:46 - Aug 25 It was Green's late save low down to his right that i thought was absolutely top notch. That would have gone in last year...
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DesertBoot added 21:11 - Aug 25 Thanks for the report Lewis. It's good to know we're off to a flyer yet still being polished.
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MelakaRanger added 22:32 - Aug 25 It rather summed up the entire game. Shit defending. Shit attacking. A very accurate descriptions of the match. But, in the last 2 seasons this was exactly the type of match we would have lost! If we can play poorly and win then maybe our luck has now changed for the better. The future is looking very promising indeed
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JB007007 added 22:33 - Aug 25 Thanks Lewis. Hopefully we can continue to build on all these positives. We have crying out for a settled back line for two years, now we appear to have it and we're not conceding too many chances to the opposition. Like you say Lewis, Green's handling from crosses and corners was solid - not sure I would have the same confidence in Cesar personally. Overall a great three points as I'm sure Bolton will get it together and be up there challenging this season.

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ozranger added 22:49 - Aug 25 Thanks Lewis, great report. Something I'd like to add, which I note has not been discussed in the forum (or at least I have not noticed it). There were a number of off-sides by Bolton rather high up the ground, which meant that Harry has told the defence to push up at every opportunity. I guess this was a way to counter the speed that their forwards may have had and certainly, it worked. That also meant that the four at the back were well in tune with each other at these critical moments. Also, I would like to ask.. when was our last away win? I think we have to go back a little way to remember that.

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ShotKneesHoop added 09:05 - Aug 26 Last away win was at Southampton. Should have been Villa, were it not for the combined idiocy of Boswankar and Cesar. Why did 'Arry keep picking the wasters last season that he is now bad mouthing for not trying? It was in his hands to fix it then but he blew it. At least, he (or is it Schteeve McLaren) has recognised the problem this year and is sorting it.
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M40R added 09:59 - Aug 26 Great report. A good read. Not sure if this is a compliment but it was only at the end that I realised that Clive was not the author.
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tsbains64 added 11:40 - Aug 26 good report-thanks for the honesty. Got a good start now so we need to build but we hope Harry buys some creativeitly from some where. We are a good team but need to raise our game and win some by a coup,e of goals like NF and Watford. Leeds will be a great test but great start so far!
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RonisRs added 11:50 - Aug 26 overall good effort from the team, especially defensively. not sure about the faffing about with the 2 short corners in the last 20 mins or so. Personally, with height from BZ (who could have scored if AJ crossed earlier enough, a few minutes earlier), and the rest, we could have taken the oppportunity to add another goal, and make the game completly safe.
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ngbqpr added 12:18 - Aug 26 Good report, thanks Worth noting that in one of his media interviews, HR did hint at how Simpson had wasted all the possession in space he had in the first half by lobbing 9 iron Marcus Bignot style crosses in, and how using the space on the flanks to get behind the defence was the key, as per both this goal and the winner v Ipswich He also reiterated how he wanted to play with two wingers - so 442 it is, and expect to see those wingers (or overlapping full backs) being encouraged to go for cutbacks from the byline, always a good tactic IMHO Be interesting to see if he persists with the less than creative central midfield pairings to help give the wingers license or whether, in home games at least, we may see someone more creative there - even without a further signing, Faurlin is more likely to pick a killer pass and Jenas more likely to ping one in from 20 yards than either Barton or Henry

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Antti_Heinola added 12:36 - Aug 27 Excellent review - think you are a bit Len Goodman with your marking when compared with Clive though! I would have said just about everyone was a 6, with maybe a couple of 7s thrown in. Dull game, but good win.
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