QPR Home Won 5 – 0 – We Scored 5
Frailer bodies were rested for the second of three games in eight days: Stewart (obviously), Charles and Fellows (but he may have simply been dropped). Opponents QPR sported a striking kit of pink and black halves, quite similar to Dulwich Hamlet’s famous outfit, and they had a defence that wouldn’t have been out of place in the Isthmian League either. Rangers were good enough on the ball, but their fans would have found concern with the space given to Azaz as he curled a shot inside the post after ten minutes. What followed for the next 35 minutes was also worrying for the home support as the visitors enjoyed plenty of possession, although always liable to concede at any moment, such as when Harwood-Bellis headed against the post from some distance. A more decisive moment did come in first half added time: credit Scienza for a well delivered corner and Matsuki for a fine jump to get in a decisive header, but he was unmarked (OK, we know from our own experience that Edwards isn’t going to do much marking) and goalkeeper Walsh certainly shouldn’t have let Matsuki get in front of him. Walsh’s evening wasn’t going to get any better as Matsuki scored again soon after the restart, this time with a fine first-time finish after Walsh had palmed Scienza’s shot out to him. Matsuki was in the action again when he chased a long ball into the penalty area, one that he probably wasn’t going to reach, although while a defender’s body check would have earned praise in the Super Bowl, it was hardly legal in proper football. 3-0 would have been a highly satisfactory outcome anyway, but Scienza had other ideas on the break as Walsh this time pushed a shot onto the post, but still into the net (to be honest he should have done better); also of note was Larin’s surprisingly quick lung busting run to be available for a cross that didn’t come – the Canadian promptly collapsed before being helped to his feet to join in the celebrations. The nap hand wasn’t far away either, as Esquerdinha made a mess of clearing a cross and Bree was able to fire past Walsh who this time was more beaten by a handy deflection on the way. Still 20 minutes to go, but both sides seemed to play them out with one eye on the weekend’s fixtures, and no-one in Southampton’s colours was complaining anyway.
Three LSSC Man of the Match candidates to choose from:
10. Finn Azaz. A good goal to get us going and an assist for the Scienza goal as well.
13. Léo Scienza with a goal and two assists, although well-handled by wing back Mbengue.
27. Kuryu Matsuki. Our players don’t usually get two goals in a game
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