Sorrento 5 QPR 1

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WADDOCK ON THE OFFICIAL SITE
PLASTIC NOT FANTASTIC

Gary Waddock admitted that the scoreline in Sorrento didn't worry him one bit - it's all about Burnley.The 5-1 drubbing is of little importance to Rangers' pre-season training schedule and Waddock has still got his sights firmly on the game at Turf Moor in just under two weeks.
Speaking after the game, the manager said: "Nobody wants to get beaten by a scoreline like that, but we've had to play on an artificial surface which we weren't due to play on.
"It was meant to be a grass surface so we've had to change the team accordingly.
"I've got players in positions they aren't used to Alan McDonald and Tony Roberts had to play in the end to make up the numbers.
"So although we got beat, there are reasons for that and this game wasn't taken too seriously at all.
"Sorrento won their league last year and it was an exhibition match and a celebration for them.
"The most important thing was that we didn't pick up any injuries and we didn't lose three points.
"I didn't want to play Cook, Rowlands but one or two of the lads were feeling the heat a bit.
"We'll need every single player against Burnley, not a game against Sorrento.
"We don't play on this sort of surface during the year - the scoreline doesn't bother me at all."
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~871791,00.html


OFFICIAL SITE MATCH REPORT
RIM RIPA
A first half hat-trick from Ripa sealed Rangers' fate as they fell 5-1 to Sorrento Calcio.The Italian's goals were too much for QPR, despite a cracker from Adam Czerkas in the first half.
No matter how hard the Rs tried in the second half, the Italians were much more at home and the visitors were unable to get a look in.
The plastic surface meant that many first team regulars were rested for the first game, but Rangers were still able to field a strong side against the Italian outfit.
Waddock was able to give his youngsters a run out with Jake Cole taking up a spot between the posts and Ray Jones lining up alongside Czerkas.The first job for the squad was to clap the travelling support along with the local fans that had turned up to see the Londoners.
Rangers must have still been adjusting to the one hour time difference, because no sooner had the game kicked off, Sorrento took the lead.
Cole seemed to have gathered Ripa's shot, but somehow the ball seemed to slide through his fingers and into the back of the net.
Cue party time for the Italian fans.
Donnelly though almost restored parity seconds from the kick off when his free kicked tested Ambra in the Sorrento goal.
The hundreds of QPR fans behind the goal were treated to some quick footwork from Nick Ward, many of whom were seeing him for the first time.
At one point the Australian steamed through the middle in support of Adam Czerkas, but the Polish striker needed no help at all as he unleashed one hell of a strike into the back of the net.
Despite the heat, Rangers refused to take their foot off the gas and Waddock's words of advice about taking the game easy seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.
Ward was showing what an engine he has and Ray Jones was proving to be a threat up front.
However, Ripa clearly felt that the Rangers back line were in fact playing the game at 50 per-cent when he completed his hat-trick in two minutes.
Cole found himself beaten twice in quick succession to certainly make this a case of the Grim Ripa wreaking havoc with the R's.
Ward then tried in vein to get QPR back in the game just before half time, but his 30 yard effort clattered against the post.
There was a whole new meaning of 'exhibition football' when Alan McDonald made a special appearance in the second half.
But the Rangers legend had his work cut out when three minutes into the second half, Rastelli brushed off the appeals for off side and slotted past Cole.
Waddock then gave some of his tired troops a rest with Czerkas and Ward being replaced by Cook and Rowlands.
Anyone would have thought that Rangers were struggling to make up the numbers when veteran 'striker' Tony Roberts came on in place of Fortune.
The introduction of the two midfielders however did seem to make a difference.
Cook went close to scoring an impressive solo goal, but the midfielder put his effort just wide of the near post after travelling a full 30 yards untouched.
It was soon 5-1 despite some excellent recovery work from Jake Cole who had twice denied Rastelli before he finally finished the job.
Rangers then had two chances to pull one back when Cook and then Donnelly both had fierce strike parried to safety by Ambra even though they had both looked certain to score.
McDonald then incensed the home fans with a rather 'over friendly' challenge on their star man - good to see some things never change!
A disappointing result, but a decent work out all the same.
Sorrento: Ambra, Ferrara, Pezzella, Marciano, Ferraro, Iorio, Ingenito, Ottobre, Ripa, Russo, Maiorano
Subs: Rastelli, Solimene
Rangers: Cole, Bailey, Armel, Fortune (Roberts), Howell, Ward (Rowlands), Baidoo, Pinto (McDonald), Donnelly, R Jones, Czerkas (Cook).
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~871786,00.html


Also: Report/Background from Ron Norris/QPR Net
http://www.qprnet.com/firstteam/0607/matchreports/ps_sorrento.shtml


And Clive Whittingham/QPR Rivals
http://queensparkrangers.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=925&p=2&stid=8416921


A QPR 11 reportedly defeated a University of BATH Team 5-0 (with a Bircham hattrick
This was a pre-match notification

TEAM BATH:
Football: TeamBath FC to take–on a QPR XI in pre–season friendlyFriday, 14 July, 2006
TeamBath FC kick-off their pre-season friendlies with a mouth-watering home match against Queen’s Park Rangers.
The University of Bath side meet a QPR XI at Twerton Park on Monday 24th July in a 7.30pm kick–off as part of TeamBath’s preparations for their forthcoming season in the British Gas Business Southern Football League Premier Division. QPR’s first team players will be on tour in Italy at the time, but they are expected to bring a strong reserve team squad to Bath for the contest, including some younger players aiming to break into the first team this season.
The match will be particularly poignant for two members of TeamBath’s coaching staff – head coach Andy Tillson and assistant coach Ivor Powell – both former QPR players. The fixture was arranged because Tillson is close friends with QPR manager Gary Waddock – the pair transferred from QPR to Bristol Rovers at the same time. QPR reserve team manager Justin Skinner also played for both clubs.
“The QPR game will be a good fixture for us and an important part of our pre–season build–up,” said Tillson. “Our pre–season friendlies are part of our strategy to make sure we hit the ground running when the season gets underway on the 19th August. “We were looking for a balance of games to help get us ready for the season,” he added. “Some of the games will be tough, some are against teams in different leagues but at the same level as us and some of them we should hopefully do quite well against to give us a bit of confidence.”
http://www.teambath.com/news/index.php?Action=8&id=1116&page=0


QPR OFFICIAL SITE REPORT ON QPR RESERVES VS BATH
FIVE STAR
Hat-trick hero Marc Bircham
Marc Bircham bagged a hat-trick as the Reserves thrashed Team Bath 5-0 on Monday evening.
The victory - sealed by late goals from Steve Lomas and Stefan Moore - ensured a winning start for the R's new Reserve team boss Justin Skinner.
"It was a fantastic performance,'' Skinner told qpr.co.uk.
"The senior pros put on a very positive display. The attitude was first class; the work rate was fantastic; and the quality shone through in the end.''
The R's were made to wait until the 55th minute before making the breakthrough at Twerton Park.
Bircham opened the floodgates with a tidy close range finish from Matt Hislop's cross, before going on to bag his hat-trick soon after.
Stefan Moore was on target
Lomas and Moore put the icing on the cake for the R's - to the delight of Skinner.
"We couldn't have asked more of the players,'' he told qpr.co.uk.
"When the goal didn't come in the first half we had to regroup a bit at the break - but we took it to them and the class shone through in the second half.
"Each and every player has come out of the game with huge credit.''
Although Gary Waddock and the rest of the first team staff are currently in Italy, Skinner revealed he'll be reporting back to the gaffer on a daily basis.
Justin Skinner got off to a winning start
"I've already spoken to Wads and I'll continue to keep him updated throughout the week.
"It was nothing but good news from my point of view last night though. The players were excellent and the travelling support really made a difference.''
QPR Reserves: Trialist, Yelland, Hislop, Evatt, Stewart, Doherty, Lomas, Bircham, Cousins, Arthur, Moore. Subs (all used): Sandercombe, Brown, O'Brien, Goode, Maguire, Rose.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~871890,00.html