WATFORD reserves came out on top in a seven goal thriller in west London this evening (Wednesday) as the Hornets grabbed a last-ditch winner courtesy of Douglas Rinaldi.
The Golden Boys had fit-again striker Moses Ashikodi in the starting line-up and the ex-Millwall man completed his first competitive 90 minutes of the season.
Both sides had young teams with QPR fielding just two full-time professionals amongst their ranks.
The home side opened the scoring with 13 minutes on the clock after Romone Rose headed home a far post cross following a deep ball into the six-yard area.
Watford bounced back in the best possible way and within 60 seconds had levelled the scores. It was a similar move with another cross in from the right flank and this time it was Anthony McNamee who kept his cool and directed his header into the bottom of the net.
The headed chances continued for both sides with Rinaldi going close for the Hornets and QPR goalscorer Rose trying his luck at the other end.
The Hornets took the lead before the interval and the spot kick decision was won and converted by Ashikodi.
Big QPR defender Pat Kanyuka was judged to have brought down Ashikodi in the box and the striker dusted himself down and sent Chris Goodchild the wrong way.
Kanyuka was then booked for his comments to referee Mr Cooper.
Half time: QPR 1 Watford 2
The hosts had a goal disallowed after the re-start while the 'Orns could have easily extended their lead but Ashikodi blasted wide from just six yards out.
Rangers equalised midway through the second half and once again it was another header. The QPR front three of Rose, Antonio German and Chris Arthur had created problems with some quick attacks.
Midfielder Angelo Balanta was there to nod past American Ian Joyce after good work by the attackers. Then the QPR man grabbed his second for the Superhoops when he tapped home from six yards out after the hosts carved open the Hornets.
The game looked to heading to defeat for the Golden Boys but Technical Director Dick Bate and coaches Malky Mackay and Alec Chamberlain will have been delighted with the character shown by the young 11 in the closing stages.
Ashikodi showed his fitness is improving by the week by staying sharp. The forward stayed onside and his strike partner Liam Henderson picked him out perfectly with a lovely pass that cut the QPR defence in two.
Ashikodi then kept his cool and hit a strike past rookie 'keeper Goodchild.
Then with the match seemingly heading for a draw, Brazilian Rinaldi picked his spot after McNamee was brought down on the edge of the box. The midfielder dinked the ball over the wall and won the game for the 'Orns in the dying stages - and celebrated after being mobbed by his team mates.
WATFORD RES (4-3-3): Joyce; Jenkins, Parkes, Avinel, Bennett; Aloi (Forbes 75), Campana (Gibson 85), Rinaldi (c); L Henderson, Ashikodi, McNamee. Subs not used: North (GK), Brown, Sordell.
QPR RES (4-3-3): Goodchild; Coyne, Brown, Kanyuka (Vanterpool 70), Howell; Ford, Balanta, O'Brien; German (Morgan-Cummings 83), Rose, Arthur. Subs not used: Crowther (GK).
BOOKINGS: WATFORD; none. QPR; Kanyuka (34), Ford (foul 89).
SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. QPR; none.
GOALS: WATFORD; McNamee (14), Ashikodi (34, 85), Rinaldi (89). QPR: Rose (13), Balanta (66, 75).
REFEREE: Mr I J Cooper.
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