Pre Season Friendly
Sunday July 28th  
   
Wycombe 0 Queens Park Rangers 1
M.Rowlands
   

 

Rangers second official match of pre season saw John Gregory's men take the tip to Wycombe.

Gregory made several changes to the side that lost heavily to Celtic two weeks ago. New signing Lee Camp started in goal behind a back four of Mancienne, Shimmin, Stewart and John Curtis. Danny Nardiello started out wide in place of the departed Lee Cook whilst Simon Walton made his debut alongside Rowlands and Bolder in midfield. Ray Jones and Dexter Blackstock started the game up front.

The game itself was a typical pre season affair with both sides going through the motions and chances were few and far between. Wycombe had the better of the first half with new signing john Sutton going close and lee Camp was called into action after some dire defending from his back four.

Stewart and Mancienne were both struggling and without the experience of Cullip and Bignot at the back we lacked a leader to organise things in defence. Fortunately for Rangers Wycombe were unable to make it count and the score remained goalless. Ray Jones picked up a booking for a late challenge midway through the half and as an attacking unit Rangers were offering very little creativity from open play.

The only goal of the game came just before half time and was worth the entrance money for the 1,000 QPR fans who made the difficult trip to Wycombe. It came from a free kick which Rowlands stood over before curling it over the wall and past the keeper to make it 1-0.

Wycombe almost drew level straight away when Mcgleish won a header but Camp was equal to it and tipped it over the bar. At half time Gregory resisted the urge to make changes but won't have been best pleased with some of his sides defending.

That didn't really change much after the break with Stewart struggling with the offside rule and Wycombe continuing to cause problems. Jon Sutton was unlucky not to level the scores when his thunderous shot beat Camp but hit the bar.

Gregory had seen enough and had made changes with Timoska, Moore and Sahar coming on to replace Shimmin, Nardiello and Ray Jones. Timoska made the biggest impact of the subs with two excellent late challenges after Stewarts attempt to play Easter offside had failed miserably.

At the other end Martin Rowlands was Rangers only real creative force and was impressing out wide but we continued to struggle to create any clear-cut chances. Several more changes were made with Simon Walton and Lee Camp making way midway through the half but the pattern of the game didn't change too much with neither side creating too much.

Wycombe were denied the draw they deserved when Easter missed a great chance late on but in the end Rangers left with a first win of pre season.

Results and performances are not vital at this stage of pre season but with the season just around the corner John Gregory will know his side have a lot of improving to do if we are going to have a good season. Gregory will have been pleased by the contribution of Camp, Timoska and Rowlands who all impressed but the lack of creativity from open play remains a concern.

Still it's another match under the belts of the players as they look to get full fitness back before the start of the season. Rangers face Harrow Borough next on Tuesday night in their penultimate pre season friendly.

Team: Camp (Cole), Mancienne, Shimmin (Timoska), Stewart, Curtis (Rehmann), Rowlands, Walton (Bailey), Bolder, Nardiello (Moore), Ray Jones (Sahar), Nygaard