New signing Peter Crouch made his first full start as permanent Rangers player after his £60,000 move from Spurs on Thursday, and in almost no time he was causing all sorts of problems for the home defence. The giant striker looked to have given Rangers the lead when he headed home a Gavin Peacock cross after 17 minutes but was adjudged to be offside. However, five minutes before the interval he scored with a neat header. In the second half, after largely dominating proceedings in midfield, Richard Langley ended a fine five-man move with a cool finish for his second goal of the pre-season four minutes from time. Gerry Francis was once again happy with his side's performance which has seen them chalk up four victories and a draw - their best pre-season record since 1996. Gerry Francis believes his side are shaping up nicely for the coming season after Francis wasn't happy with his players' fitness a year ago but believes his arduous pre-season programme has paid off fully this time around. "My pre-season preparations are something that have always stood me in good stead. When the season starts, we'll certainly be fit. Whether we can play or not remains to be seen," Francis said after Rangers maintained their unbeaten summer record with a 2-0 win at Aldershot Town. Francis also believes that his squad is stronger than last season. In Clarke Carlisle and Peter Crouch he has signed the centre-back and giant striker he wanted. "Peter is a very talented boy," said Francis. "He's got great skill and great ability. If he works, listens and learns - which knowing him as I do, I'm sure he will - then there's every chance he will be a very good player." "It's about fine tuning now," he said. "It's about patterns of play and getting ready for the off. Aldershot worked hard but that was good for us. It was a hot day and the heat was difficult. But I wanted to give the team I started with as long as possible out there. Overall, I'm very pleased. We've had a hectic schedule and done well. The pre-season has been going quite well."
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QPR
continued their excellent pre-season form with this comfortable
victory over Ryman League side Aldershot.