Michael Frey and Paul Smyth on target as QPR beat Cambridge

Posted Wednesday, August 14, 2024 by PA

QPR won a superb Carabao Cup tie 2-1 at Cambridge to record their first win in the competition for three years.

The Championship side went ahead in the 13th minute through Michael Frey, who drove a low shot past Jack Stevens from outside the box.

Cambridge almost equalised when 19-year-old Dan Barton, making the first start of his professional career, saw a 25-yard effort bounce off the outside of the post.

On the half hour Joe Walsh made an excellent save to keep out a close-range header from Brandon Njoku.

Instead QPR doubled their lead after 36 minutes when Stevens was slow to come out to collect the ball, allowing Paul Smyth to steal in before him and fire into an empty net.

Poor goalkeeping at the other end gifted Cambridge a goal back in the 57th minute when Walsh passed the ball out straight to Paul Digby, who fired back past him.

Walsh went on to redeem himself, twice denying the onrushing Barton and then saving from substitute Shayne Lavery 18 minutes from time.

After 83 minutes Lavery missed a huge chance to take the game to penalties but clipped the post when through on goal.