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BODMIN TOWN 0, QPR 6Posted on: Wed 14 Jul 2010
QPR ran out 6-0 winners over Bodmin Town tonight, grabbing three goals in the final six minutes in a show of growing fitness levels.
Hogan Ephraim recorded his second brace in two days, while Jamie Mackie, an own goal, Antonio German and Josh Parker completed the scoring in what was another useful work-out for Neil Warnock's R's.
Following their impressive 8-0 win over Tavistock on Monday evening, the R's went into this fixture eager to build their fitness levels and get more crucial match minutes under their belts ahead of the big kick off against Barnsley at Loftus Road on 7th August.
Once again, Warnock named a strong side for this game, starting with Paddy Kenny in goal, Matt Connolly at left back, Fitz Hall and Kaspars Gorkss in the centre of defence and Mikele Leigertwood on the right.
In midfield, Shaun Derry was joined by Alejandro Faurlin just in front of the back four while Akos Buzsaky pushed further up field. Heider Helguson joined Mackie and Ephraim in attack.
Faurlin had the first opportunity of the game after three minutes following good work down the right by Ephraim. His centre was cleared only as far as the Argentinian, but his shot from the edge of the box flew over.
A minute later, Rangers broke the deadlock through Ephraim when Bodmin again failed to clear their lines effectively and the former West Ham man slammed home from eight yards.
Ephraim was certainly keen to impress, and his fantastic delivery moments later from the right was headed goalwards by Buzsaky, but Bodmin keeper Kevin Miller produced an excellent save from close range to tip the ball over the bar.
It was all Rangers in the opening stages, and from the resultant corner Connolly saw his scrambled effort from three yards hacked clear.
On 11 minutes Derry's 25 yard effort flew inches over the crossbar, and drew appreciative applause from the strong contingent of QPR fans in the Main Stand on a rain-soaked evening.
A minute later QPR doubled their advantage through the hard-working Mackie, who dispossessed centre back Steve Simmonds before finishing in style from 16 yards, giving Miller absolutely no chance.
In the 18th minute, Rangers twice went close to increasing their lead, firstly Buzsaky's effort warmed the keeper's palms from 16 yards, and then Helguson's header from Mackie's delivery flew inches wide with Miller flat-footed.
Warnock's attacking formation lent itself to some fantastic football, with Mackie causing havoc down the right and Ephraim looking useful wide on the left, with Helguson in the centre, and Buzsaky sitting just behind.
Mackie and Ephraim regularly switched flanks, and in the 23rd minute Ephraim's ball into the centre almost picked out Helguson, but Miller got there just ahead of the R's front man.
Seconds later, Ephraim was again involved as he broke clear down the right flank and unselfishly squared for Helguson in the box, but Simmonds was able to intervene just in time.
Rangers again went close in the 32nd minute, this time with a lovely move.
Ephraim, once again, was heavily involved as he pulled the ball back from the left for Mackie, who produced a lovely touch to set Buzsaky in the box, but his cultured finish went inches wide of the near post.
Kenny had little to do at the other end, but in the 38th minute he was called into action. Danny O'Hagan evaded the R's backline to get a shot away from 16 yards, but summer signing Kenny saved well to his left.
Just before the break, a neat one-two on the edge of the area involving Faurlin and Buzsaky almost produced a third, but the former's effort on the stretch was easily gathered by Miller.
As expected, Warnock made a host of changes at the break. Radek Cerny came in for Kenny, while Gary Borrowdale was at left back, Connolly switched to right back and Peter Ramage - captaining the side after Leigertwood's departure at the break - partnered Damion Stewart in the centre.
In midfield, Derry and Faurlin continued in front of the back four, while Ephraim took on Buzsaky's role of the first half.
German spear-headed the attack with Parker and Mackie on the flanks.
Within two minutes of the re-start, Parker produced an incredible long throw from the left which reached the penalty spot and caused plenty of confusion.
Interestingly, Parker was only able to produce such a throw when he returned from dislocating his shoulder for the reserves last season. Prior to the injury, it was something he didn't possess.
On the hour mark the hard-working Mackie was replaced by Leigertwood, who returned to the action. As Mackie left the pitch he received an excellent ovation from the R's faithful for his efforts.
Seconds later it was 3-0 when Ephraim's teasing cross from the left was turned into his own net by right back Huw Morgan.
Warnock continued to make changes to his side in order to offer as many players as possible plenty of match time, as Faurlin came off for Hall.
QPR dominated territorially in the second period, but fewer chances were being created as Bodmin often kept ten players behind the ball.
Parker's long throw was being used frequently down the left, and on 70 minutes another bomb was hacked away by the home defence.
With little over 15 minutes remaining, Parker - who was on the scoresheet at Tavistock - fired just wide with a neat curling effort.
Parker was giving Morgan a tough time, and again got the better of him on 80 minutes before squaring for German, but he screwed his first-time shot wide from six yards.
But in the closing stages, QPR's superior fitness levels showed as the visitors grabbed three goals in the closing six minutes.
Leigertwood - who had rejoined the match in the centre of midfield - squared from a tight angle on the left for German to tap home number four of the night before Parker capped an industrious display with a stunning drive from the edge of the area to make it 5-0 to the R's.
With two minutes left, QPR wrapped up the scoring through Ephraim.
Derry, who worked tirelessly in the centre of the park, won possession before finding Leigertwood ten yards in the Bodmin half. He cleverly slid the ball through for the on-rushing
Ephraim, who rounded the keeper before tapping home his fourth goal in two matches.
A 6-0 triumph for Rangers left the travelling QPR supporters - as well as the Devon R's - a happy bunch as they left Bodmin this evening.
Now all focus turns to Torquay on Friday evening.
QPR starting XI: Kenny, Connolly, Gorkss, Hall, Leigertwood, Faurlin, Derry, Buzsaky, Ephraim, Helguson, Mackie.Goals: Ephraim (4) (88), Mackie (12), Morgan OG (63), German (84), Parker (85).
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