Queens Park Rangers - 6 (Kulcsar 8. Kiwomya 43. 56. 85. Scully 77. Breacker 84.)
Crystal Palace - 0

Palace entered this match with nothing really left to play for. At best they could end up 10th in the League, and at worst they could end up 14th. Needless to say, they chose the latter position as they seem to do most seasons!

To really compound matters, as if losing 6-0 was not bad enough, they also managed to have two players sent off, and two others booked. We could well be scratching to come up with a team at the start of next season, unless the FA allow the players to serve their upcoming bans during the friendly warm up matches before the season proper starts.

Still, being a Palace fan, what would life be like without a challenge? Or does anyone think we have enough already?

With Rangers needing to win this match to ensure their survival in the First Division, albeit on goals scored rather than points considering that all the lower placed teams won on the day, this match was always going to be difficult for a Palace side weakened by transfers, loans and injuries. That they managed to stay in the race for so long is a credit in itself, but nothing should be taken away from a desperate QPR side, who made the most of their opportunities on the day.

It did not take very long for the home supporters to have something to cheer about. Only eight minutes had passed on the clock when Chris Kiwomya set out on a good run, then crossed for George Kulcsar to score his first goal for the Club. Both Ian Baraclough and Gavin Peacock came close to adding a second before Andrew Martin saw his shot deflected over the bar. This was to prove to be about the only chance that Palace created throughout the entire match.

With half-time rapidly approaching the defence, and Kevin Miller, allowed the ball to bounce between them, only to see Kiwomya nip in between them, send in a shot that hit the post, but then follow up with a header that left Miller wrong footed. 2-0 down, and the break arrived.

Whatever they had been putting in the half time drinks of late was not, obviously, available at Loftus Road, as events proved the longer the match progressed.

Only three minutes had elapsed when Palace were awarded a free kick. In his haste to get the kick in quickly Fan Zhiyi found the referee in the way, so he "pushed" him away. Of course, you really can't do that at this level of football, and the referee was left with little choice other than to show Fan the red card. Down to 10 men, but worse was to come! Within just a few minutes Kiwomya nipped in for his second of the day, and when 20 minutes later Tony Scully joined the goal scorers list we had definitely entered the desperate side of this business.

Scully was soon left clear again, and when it looked as though he might make it 5 David Woozley pulled him back, and was duly rewarded with his own red card. Now we were down to 9, and facing a penalty.

Amazingly, Kevin actually managed to parry away the penalty taken by Kiwomya (attempting to get his hat-trick), but as all the luck was going the way of the home side the ball fell kindly to Tim Breacker, who had the easiest of opportunities to scramble the ball home.

Kiwomya finally did get his hat-trick barely a minute later, and presumably did his chances of finding a new Club during the close season no harm in the process, the final insult being added when he fired the ball in, Miller saved it, he fired the ball in again and once again Miller saved it, but on the third opportunity he managed to get the ball in the back of the net. When it is not going to be your day, it may well be best not to be a keeper in this game that we all love.

So, a season that started with so much promise, finally came to an end, and once again Palace have managed to show us that there are still ways in which they can surprise us. Having followed the side for the past 40 odd years, they are still surprising me with some of the things that happen to them, and I feel sure that they will find many ways to do so in the future. One thing is for sure though, I will still be there waving the Palace colours, no matter what the years ahead have to offer. Roll on next season; let's pit our wits (and skill) against all those that are left in this Division; let's look forward to meeting Nottingham Forest and whoever comes down with them; let's give a big welcome to Fulham and Walsall on their ventures back at this level; and let's lastly wish Sunderland and Bradford every success in the Premiership next year.

No doubt we will meet them there after we win the championship next season!

Colin Pryce

Queens Park Rangers: Ludek Miklosko, Tim Breacker, Ian Baraclough, George Kulcsar, Andy Linighan, Danny Maddix, Tony Scully, Gavin Peacock, Keith Rowland (Kevin Gallen 90) Steve Slade, Chris Kiwomya (Paul Murray 90).
Not Used: Chris Plummer.

Crystal Palace: Kevin Miller, Andrew Frampton, David Woozley, Dean Austin, Gordan Petric (Dave Tuttle 61), Steve Thomson, Craig Foster (Sagi Burton 55), Fan Zhiyi, Andrew Martin (Wayne Carlisle 61), Clinton Morrison, Hayden Mullins.
Not Used: None.

Attendance: 18,498
Referee: Mr P Rejer (Leamington Spa).