Aldershot's Perspective of Aldershot vs QPR

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Photos of Aldershot vs QPR
http://www.theshots.co.uk/QPR080706Gallery.ink


Aldershot Match Report
Shots hold Championship side at the Rec in impressive opener that surprisingly saw former defender Tobi Jinadu feature for the West Londoners
After Saturday afternoon's performance at the Rec against Championship side Queens Park Rangers it was quite apparent that the lessons of last season's calamitous pre season have been learned.
Aldershot were able to field a side in the first half that included five new signings added to the trial appearances of the impressive Andy Edwards and Phil Anderson. The return of midfielder David Lee after an eleven month absence brought the cheer of the day from the Recreation ground faithful. Only Nikki Bull, Dave Winfield and Ryan Williams featured from the squad that were performing at the end of last season. Indeed former defender Tobi Jinadu lined up for the R's.
The home crowd were suitably impressed with the performances especially the exciting link up play of Dean Smith and Louie Soares down the right hand side. Their endeavour deserved a goal but it was Ryan Williams who went closest in the first half with a 20 yard effort.
The visitors went into the interval with a slender lead courtesy of an expertly taken 35 yard free kick from Tommy Doherty whose precise effort rounded the wall and, despite Nikki Bull's flying dive, there was no chance of saving it.
At the break both sides made nine changes. Whilst Rangers were able to field the likes of Kevin Gallen, Lee Cook, Steve Lomas and Ian Evatt, the home side paraded a host of youngsters including Sean Ridgway, Ryan Scott and new goalkeeper Louis Wells. But it was the forward pairing of strikers Mark Pritchard from Swansea City and Kirk Hudson that stole the show. They posed plenty of problems for the visitors with an exciting combination. It was Scott, however, who laid the ball through a treat on the hour for Pritchard to latch on and strike goalbounds only for keeper Sean Thomas to force behind for a corner. Scott drove powerfully a minute later from 25 yards as Aldershot looked a confident and industrious unit. On 63 minutes a great link up between Hudson and Pritchard allowed the former to unleash a cracking drive that Thomas forced away despite being pushed backwards.
Keeper Wells, as did Nikki Bull in the first half, produced a tremendous save close at the feet of a Rangers striker to show that the club has a replacement goalkeeper that looks comfortable.
As the game progessed Soares, who had re-appeared produced a fine effort after good holding play from Pritchard that went just wide from 20 yards.
However Aldershot did score the goal that they deserved on 84 minutes when Pritchard finished off from close range at the far post from a deep Soares right sides centre.
Although results are immaterial in pre season friendlies this was a match that the home side certainly deserved something out of.
Teams: Shots (First Half)- Bull, Smith, Anderson, Lee, Edwards, Winfield, Soares, Moleseley, Grant, Gayle, Williams Shots (Second Half)- Wells, Salmon, Corbett, Edwards (Soares 67), Anderson (Milletti 60), Hicks, Whisken, Ridgway, Scott, Hudson, Pritchard
QPR (First Half)- Thomas, Bignot, Tonkin, Armel, Kanyuka, Jinadu, Ainsworth, Olisen, Moore, Doherty, Baidoo QPR (Second Half)- Thomas, Munday, Donnelly, Kanyuka (Jinadu 58), Gallen, Cook, Lomas, Evatt, Hislop, Tshmanga, Bailey Referee: John Farries Assts: Tim Ingram, Ian Kitchen Att: 1340
http://www.theshots.co.uk/newspage.ink?nid=27494&newstype=m&matchid=7659


Aldershot Post-Match Assessment
http://www.theshots.co.uk/newspage.ink?nid=27495&newstype=n&matchid=


[Also: Photos of Aldershot vs QPR from Nick De Marco
http://www.pbase.com/qpr/aldershot_v_qpr