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Post by londonranger on Jul 22, 2009 2:35:41 GMT
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Post by QPR Report on Jul 22, 2009 6:30:29 GMT
Full match report
QPR Official Site - FOREST GREEN 0-2 QPR
QPR cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win over Forest Green this evening courtesy of first-half goals from Damion Stewart and trialist Alessandro Pellicori.
Stewart bagged the opener after just 70 seconds following a terrible mistake by host keeper Terry Burton, while Pellicori was on hand to head home the second after Akos Buzsaky's stunning free-kick came back off the post.
Jim Magilton named three trialists in his side at the New Lawn, but the real boost for the travelling R's faithful was the sight of Martin Rowlands in the starting line-up after six months on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Former Ipswich, Millwall and Coventry goalkeeper Andy Marshall was the second trialist for QPR, while on the bench was the third, South African forward Davide Somma.
A strong R's side which included Stewart, Hogan Ephraim, Matteo Alberti, Buzsaky and Patrick Agyemang in the starting XI wasted little time imposing themselves on their Blue Square Premier opponents, taking little over a minute to open the scoring.
It came when Rowlands' corner from the left was dropped by Rovers keeper Burton and straight into the path of Stewart, who slammed home into the unguarded net from close range.
As the R's took shape it was clear Magilton was using this match to test players out in new positions, with youngster Romone Rose operating at right back and midfielder Buzsaky playing down the left side.
Alberti continued in the middle of the park alongside Rowlands, with Ephraim on the right, while in attack Agyemang partnered Pellicori.
Stewart was joined at the heart of the defence by Joe Oastler, with Lee Brown playing at left back.
Rose and Ephraim were linking up well down the right side, with the former regularly looking to overlap the latter and get involved in the attack.
The opening 20 minutes were largely dominated by the visitors, although chances were limited as Forest Green tried to contain Magilton's men following that early goal.
Agyemang nearly made Burton's disappointing start even worse when he chased down the home keeper in possession, but this time Burton's blushes were spared as he cleared in the nick of time, but the R's striker's determination was rightly applauded by the Rangers fans.
Meanwhile Rowlands approached the game as if it was the most important match of his life, regularly shouting words of encouragement - or otherwise - at his team-mates as he looked to show what he's capable of to Magilton.
QPR were playing a patient, passing game as they looked to pull Forest Green out of position, but the hosts showed plenty of discipline, although regularly had all 11 players deep in their own half.
But on 32 minutes the R's doubled their lead. Rowlands won a free-kick 30 yards from goal - and up stepped Buzsaky.
The Hungarian's fantastic curling effort was tipped onto the inside of the near post by a fully-stretched Burton, but the ball fell comfortably into the path of Pellicori who headed into the empty net for his first goal in QPR colours.
Moments later, fellow-trialist Marshall was given his first real task of the evening as he saved comfortably from David Brown's 12-yard shot.
Magilton's determination to play slick, passing football was very-much in evidence as Rangers regularly looked to get the ball down and moving.
Just before the break Ephraim burst through the middle of the park, showing a fantastic turn of pace before sliding Agyemang in down the left.
The R's front man took his time before trying to find the far corner, but his effort deflected wide.
Magilton rang the changes as expected for the second-half, making three substitutions with Stewart, Rowlands and Buzsaky making way for youngsters Ed Harris and Danny Davenport, as well as trialist Somma.
Rovers certainly started the second-half with a more attack-minded approach, reflective of the 2-0 scoreline.
Jonathan Smith had the first effort following the break, but his drive for the hosts flew well over from 30 yards when Marshall would probably have welcomed the opportunity to impress.
The hosts certainly enjoyed more possession in the second period, but the R's defence seemed more than comfortable as Rovers pushed forward.
Magilton made a further change on the hour, replacing the hard-working Agyemang with exciting youth product Josh Parker, who took up a position on the left of midfield with Somma joining Pellicori in attack and Ephraim moving into the centre of the park.
And the R's youngster soon made his presence known as he picked up the first booking of the match within four minutes of his arrival for a heavy challenge on Andy Taylor.
Next it was the hosts' turn to make a flurry of changes from the bench, while QPR made another, introducing Antonio German at the expense of Pellicori.
Understandably, the large number of changes from both sides affected the flow of the game but Rangers still maintained their comfortable control of the hosts' forward line.
At the other end, Parker's pace took him clear of the Forest Green defence but Burton did well, coming out to smother the youngster's effort from 12 yards.
Marshall was finally called into some real action on 76 minutes when Curtis McDonald broke through down the left following a clever dummy by Paul Stonehouse.
From 14 yards, he slammed his effort goalwards but Marshall stood up long enough to be able to push the ball wide for a corner, which came to nothing.
Late on Marshall was again able to highlight his quality as he pulled off an excellent save to deny Andy Mangan from close range.
Meanwhile, Somma thought he had netted a debut goal when he headed home Alberti's cross from the left but it was cruelly ruled out for offside.
Forest Green deserve great credit for their second-half performance but in truth this was a very comfortable win for Magilton's men.
Added to the solid performance was the bonus of Rowlands' successful return from injury, which wasn't lost on the Rangers faithful who made up a large portion of the 861 fans in attendance.
FOREST GREEN: Burton (Pass, 77), Taylor (Baldwin, 64), McDonald, Ayres (Pugh, 77), Preece, Stonehouse (Palmer, 78), Brown (Davies, 64), Lloyd (Else, 64), Platt (Mangan, 74) Smith, Fowler.
Subs: Henry.
QPR: Marshall, Rose, Stewart (Harris, 46), Rowlands (Davenport, 46), Brown, Oastler, Ephraim, Alberti, Pellicori (German, 65), Buzsaky (Somma, 46), Agyemang (Parker, 59).
Subs: Putnins.
Goals: Stewart (1), Pellicori (32)
Bookings: Parker (63)
Referee: Kevin Johnson
Att: 861
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Post by QPR Report on Jul 22, 2009 6:31:29 GMT
And post match Comments (Not a word about our Italian signing) QPR Official SIte - CREDIT TO ROVERS Posted on: Wed 22 Jul 2009 Jim Magilton was full of praise not only for his team but also their opponents following QPR's 2-0 win at Forest Green tonight. The Rangers gaffer saw goals from Damion Stewart and trialist Alessandro Perricoli seal victory, but acknowledged afterwards: "At times we passed the ball about very well but I have to say I thought Forest Green came out of this match with a lot of credit. "They played the game with a real tempo, which was good for us and good for the fixture. "I'm pleased to see the likes of Martin Rowlands and Damion Stewart come through OK." Rowlands played 45 minutes and was his determined self in the middle following a six-month spell on the sidelines with a knee injury. "It was a typical display by Martin, and he is that sort of player," Magilton told www.qpr.co.uk. "I believe he is a very clever player and I'm keen to get him out on the park as much as possible. "Hopefully he will feel no reaction to this run-out and this is the start of a productive season for him." Magilton also used the opportunity to run the rule over some of the Club's youth players, such as Romone Rose, Joe Oastler, Ed Harris, Josh Parker and Antonio German. "Tonight I had another look at some of the youngsters we have here and I believe there's some promise there, which is great," he said. "Is the team progressing how I would like? No. Well, yes and no. To be honest, I always want better. But we're making strides and now our focus is on Oxford this Friday." www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~1729555,00.html |
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Post by QPR Report on Jul 22, 2009 7:16:57 GMT
And local match reportThis is Glloucestershire
Superior Rangers end Rovers' unbeaten runWednesday, July 22, 2009 FOREST GREEN ROVERS lost their first pre-season game of the 2009/10 campaign to a superior Queens Park Rangers side at The New Lawn. Two first-half goals from Damion Stewart and Italian trialist Alessandro Percolli put paid to Rovers, who only threatened late on following a host of substitutions from both sides. Rovers boss Jim Harvey switched to a 4-5-1 formation, leaving last year's Blue Square Premier top scorer Andy Mangan on the bench with Conal Platt up front on his own. The result was Rovers failed to get much going up front as the Championship side dominated possession and territory. The home side made a terrible start when they conceded a sloppy goal after just 70 seconds from Martin Rowlands' short corner on the left. Goalkeeper Terry Burton failed to gather the cross and parried it in front of Rangers centre back Stewart, who poked into an open net while the defence waited for a whistle. Harvey's men then had their only attempt on goal in the opening third of the game after three minutes when Platt's 30-yard free-kick struck his own man after David Brown was fouled. The visitors had their second effort at goal after five minutes when Percolli chested the ball down on the edge of the area but he fired well over. Rangers' domination of possession resulted in them doubling their lead after 32 minutes when Percolli's diving header trickled over the line. Akos Buzaky's 35-yard free-kick struck the bottom of Burton's right hand post and bounced out to the Italian to nod home. Rovers replied with their best move of the game so far two minutes later down the right when Paul Lloyd squared the ball to Brown, whose low shot was gathered by former Norwich, Ipswich, Millwall and Coventry keeper, Andy Marshall. Percolli then had a shot blocked on the edge of Rovers' area three minutes before half-time while Patrick Agyemang fired wide after cutting back inside on the left 60 seconds later. Turning around 2-0 at the break, Agyemang had an early chance after three second half minutes but his shot was blocked inside Rovers' six-yard box after Lee Brown's cross from the left. Rovers' Jonathan Smith tested his shooting boots from 25 yards after 56 minutes with the ball ending up in the back of the stand. The home team's defence was then caught ball watching with 20 minutes remaining and Rangers' substitute Josh Parker sprinted clear but Burton denied him with his feet. Paul Stonehouse charged at the Championship side's defence and struck a shot from far out only to be blocked after 71 minutes. The New Lawn faithful appealed for a penalty after 73 minutes with a free-kick given instead and replacement Jonathan Else found the wall before firing wide. Curtis Mcdonald thought he was in on the left after 76 minutes but Marshall stood up well to the shot and parried it for a corner which flew across the goal. Mangan got his chance to stretch his legs and tested Marshall in the Rangers goal with a shot on the left hand side of the area with eight minutes remaining which was well saved. The resulting corner picked out substitute Ben Pugh at the far post but he steered his header into the side netting to confirm the shut-out. FOREST GREEN ROVERS: T Burton (gk), A Taylor, C McDonald, L Ayres, M Preece, P Stonehouse, D Brown, P Lloyd, C Platt, J Smith, M Fowler. Subs: A Mangan, J Else, B Pugh, J Baldwin, T Pass (gk), S Davies, M Palmer, C Henry QPR: A Marshall (gk), RRose, D Stewart, MRowlands, L Brown, J Oastler, H Ephraim, M Alberti, A Percolli, A Buzaky, P Agyemang. Subs: J Parker, E Puttins (gk), E Harris, D Davenport, A German, DSommer. www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/news/Superior-Rangers-end-Rovers-unbeaten-run/article-1184434-detail/article.html
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