QPR Win at Wycombe: Reports and Comments

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Wycombe 1 QPR 2

QPR Official Site - MAGILTON: MUCH, MUCH BETTER

Jim Magilton wore a wide smile after seeing his Rangers side cruise to a pre-season friendly victory against Wycombe Wanderers tonight (Tuesday).

Goals from Gavin Mahon and Patrick Agyemang put the R's in front, and although the Chairboys pulled a late goal back courtesy of Luke Oliver, Rangers were in the ascendancy from the first minute to the last and thoroughly deserved the win.

Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Magilton said: "I think we raised it a level tonight.

"We scored two good goals, but our overall play was fantastic at times.

"We restricted them to very few chances of note and the only real disappointment was conceding late on.

"We want to pride ourselves on keeping clean sheets, but the changes disrupted us again, so I have to accept that."

Magilton added: "The work rate was great.

"We've come through injury free again and , since day one, the attitude of the players and their application has been first class."

Despite naming the same starting XI for the second match in a row, Magilton insists nothing is set in stone for the opening day of the new campaign.

"You can read into what you want," he said.

"There's another fixture tomorrow night when other lads will have a chance to impress - that's what pre-season is all about.

"There's great competition for places and that can only be healthy for the Football Club." http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~1736292,00.html


QPR Official Site - WYCOMBE 1, QPR 2
- Rangers eased to victory at Adams Park, with the final 2-1 scoreline totally flattering the hosts.

Two goals inside the opening nine minutes from, first Gavin Mahon, and then Patrick Agyemang, saw the R's coast into a two goal lead, and but for the heroics of Jamie Young in the Chairboys goal, Jim Magilton's men would have been out of sight at the break.

The R's continued to dominate proceedings in the second period, with some fine free-flowing forward play leaving their opponents chasing shadows.

Wycombe, to their credit, briefly rallied when Luke Oliver struck from six-yards with just seven minutes remaining, but Rangers finished in the ascendancy, to the delight of the travelling 1,200-plus R's faithful.

Magilton was good to his word and selected a strong squad for the trip to Adams Park.

In fact, he named an unchanged side from the eleven who took to the pitch against Oxford United on Friday night.

Radek Cerny started in goal, behind a back four of Matt Connolly, Fitz Hall, Kaspars Gorkss and Peter Ramage.

Recently-appointed skipper Martin Rowlands partnered Mahon in centre midfield, with former Chairboys loanee Angelo Balanta and Wayne Routledge occupying the wide berths.

Rowan Vine and Agyemang continued in attack, with the likes of Adel Taarabt and trialist Gregory Vignal amongst the substitutes.

Former Rangers midfielder Tommy Doherty lined up against his former Club, but he and his team-mates got off to the worst possible start.

Indeed, the match was barely two minutes old when Rangers took the lead.

In the 80th second, Routledge's pinpoint cross was met expertly by the diving Mahon, whose close range header gave home custodian Jamie Young absolutely no chance.

It was a dream start for the R's, following hot on the heels of early goals at Oxford United and Forest Green Rovers in the last seven days.

To their credit, the Chairboys responded quite positively, with Lewis Montrose stinging Cerny's palms with a crisp eighth minute strike.

But the R's were at their free-flowing best and when Balanta broke at pace from inside his own half just seconds later, Wycombe were all at sea.

The Colombian wide-man fed Vine, whose first time cross was only half-cleared, and Agyemang was on hand to drill the ball beneath Young from 12-yards.

Some of the R's football was a joy to behold and when Vine and Balanta combined again on the quarter hour, only a well-timed tackle from John Mousinho prevented the latter from getting another shot on target.

It really was quite delightful stuff from the visitors and following another neat passing move in the final third, Rowlands' fierce drive from distance brought the very best out of Young, who dived full stretch to his left to deny the R's skipper.

Routledge was a constant threat, cutting in from the right flank with regular ease, and combining to devastating effect with the R's front two.

Indeed, it was his back post cross that created the R's next opportunity midway through the half, but on this occasion, Chairboys skipper Michael Duberry was on hand to mop up the danger.

Cerny was a virtual spectator in the R's goal, called upon on just a handful of occasions to clear his lines, as the Rangers back four - marshalled expertly by Hall - stifled the threat of the hosts.

The best the hosts could muster throughout the half was a Stuart Beavon header on 36 minutes, which Cerny gathered with consummate ease.

A half-time penalty shoot-out, which saw all four R's supporting youngsters find the back of the net, brought more screams of joy from the visiting fans, who must've surely been impressed by their sides' first half showing.

Rangers began the second half as they ended the first - in total control.

Mahon's 25-yard rocket flew inches wide of the top corner, before Balanta's opportune curler fell just the wrong side of the post.

It was all one-way traffic and when Vine and Agyemang exchanged passes on the edge of the box to open up the Wycombe back four in the 50th minute, the former saw his right footed drive deflected to safety.

There was a slight worry for Rangers when Connolly appeared to pick up a knock in a challenge - and with just over 10 days to go until the opening day fixture against Blackpool, Magilton opted to introduce trialist Vignal.

That failed to halt the Rangers charge, however, with Balanta and Agyemang both firing wide just before the hour.

Wycombe had an injury scare of their own moments later, with former R's midfielder Doherty forced from the fray following a late Routledge tackle.

Taarabt entered the fray with a little over a quarter of the game to play, joining Agyemang in attack, as the hardworking Vine made way.

Like his team-mates, Vignal was out to prove a point to the R's backroom team, racing into tackles and keeping the ball moving, as the R's ticked down the clock in cruise control.

Taarabt's step-overs almost led to what would have been a deserved third goal for the R's, but half-time replacement Scott Shearer was perfectly positioned to save with his feet.

But it was Wycombe who notched the games third goal, with Rangers briefly switching off from a quickly-taken free-kick.

Oliver was in the right place at the right time to fire home from close range, after the R's failed to pick up their men from the first phase ball into the box.

But it mattered little, with Rangers finishing on top and running out comfortable victors.

Wycombe Wanderers: Young (Shearer 46), Mousinho, Cobb, Duberry, Westwood, Bloomfield (Phillips 58), Doherty (Oliver 61), Montrose, Westlake (Daly 88), Pittman (Harrold 46), Beavon (Zebroski 58).

Subs: Fitchett, Lewis.

Scorers: Oliver (83)

Bookings:

Red Cards:

QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Connolly (Vignal 56), Mahon, Hall, Gorkss, Routledge (Parker 83), Rowlands (Alberti 83), Vine (Taarabt 68), Balanta, Agyemang (German 83).

Subs: Putnins, Brown, Oastler.

Scorers: Mahon (2), Agyemang (9)

Bookings:

Red Cards:

Referee: Mr J Singh

Attendance: 3, 288

http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1736207,00.html



Wycombe Official Site

LATE OLIVER GOAL NOT ENOUGH
Posted on: Tue 28 Jul 2009

Ben Campbell reporting from Adams Park | hit f5 for updates | email media@wwfc.com
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Wanderers 1-2 QPR
(Oliver, 83) (Mahon 2, Agyemang 9)

Full time here at Adams Park, as referee Singh brings the game to a close. The Championship side head back to London with a 2-1 win but the Blues put in another promising shift.

Granted, QPR did start well and were 2-0 up after 9 minutes through goals from Gavin Mahon and Partick Agyemang but Peter Taylor will be pleased with his side's fightback, which saw Luke Oliver grab his first goal for the club on 83 minutes. Keep it wwfc.com for reaction to this evening's game.

90th min - Can the Blues salvage a draw late on?

88th min - George Daly has replaced Man of the Match Ian Westlake. The former Leeds man showed some nice touches this evening and will prove to be a good addition.

87th min - Rather than heading Matty Phillips' cross on goal, John Mousinho and Matt Harrold head each other and the chance goes begging.

85th min - Instead of looking to deny the Rangers a third, the Blues are on the attack looking for an equaliser. Peter Taylor's men have done well to soak up the pressure in this second half and have got their rewards for their hard work this evening.

83rd min - GOAL! Luke Oliver reduces the arrears here at Adams Park after firing home Matt Harrold's header back across the 6-yard box.

81st min - Taarabt looks like a very good player and talking of the midfielder, he brings a good save from Scott Shearer, after jinking his way into the area.

80th min - The Blues are working their socks off to try and steal the ball from QPR, but at the moment Jim Magilton's side are looking good and able to keep possession with some ease.

77th min - Clever play from Taarabt draws a foul from Lewis Montrose. Vignal's free-kick was poor though and the ball rolls out for a goal-kick for the Blues.

75th min - Phillips took it but it was high and wide of Cenry's goal.

74th min - Superb run from Matty Phillips draws a free-kick for the Blues on the edge of the QOR box. Westlake, Phillips and Cobb are over it...

We've got a celebrity listener tuning in to this evening's clockwatch. Gordon Mousinho, dad of John, is following the game on wwfc.com tonight. You can follow Gordon in contacting the WWFC Media Team by emailing media@wwfc.com.

70th min - Long searching ball from Duberry looks for Matt Harrold down the right channel, but the number 9 is crowded out by Mahon and Hall. Harrold needs more support.

67th min - Rowan Vine is being replaced by Spurs loanee Abel Taarabt. One talented player is replaced by another talented player.

66th min - QPR are playing keep ball again just inside the Wanderers half, as they look to create a third goal.

63rd min - It was Mousinho instead who fired in the cross and Gorkss had to head out for a corner under pressure from Harrold. From the resulting kick, Duberry tested Cerny for the first time in the second half with a header but it was straight down the keeper's throat.

62nd min - Sub Zebroski wins a free-kick in a dangerous area for the Blues. Cobb stands over it...

Keep the emails coming into media@wwfc.com.

60th min - Don't worry guys, he's up and at least able to walk off the field as he is replaced by Luke Oliver.

59th min - Doherty is down and looks in some discomfort. Shay Connolly is on the field and lets hope it's not too serious.

58th min - Beavon and Bloomfield are being replaced by Chris Zebroski and Matt Phillips. We've reverted to a 4-3-3.

57th min - Agyemang goes within a whisper of making it it 3-0. The muscly striker let fly on the edge of the area and the effort went only inches the wrong side of Shearer's post.

54th min - The Blues are enjoying a bit more possession and they look to reduce the arreas. In the Wanderers' latest opening, Doherty found Harrold at the back post, but the target man couldn't test Cerny.

50th min - Routledge is now in on the act and sends a fizzing cross into the Wanderers box. Luckily for the Blues none of the QPR men who had made their way forward could get on the end of it.

48th min - QPR have began the second half like the first - on top. Balanta is the latest Ranger to try his luck from distance but Shearer is able to watch the Colombian's effort past the post.

46th min - Matt Harrold has replaced speed demon Jon-Paul Pittman and Scott Shearer for Young.

Half-time here at Adams Park and at the break the Blues trail 2-0 to the Championship side. Gavin Mahon and Partick Agyemang have got the goals for Jim Magilton's side, both coming in the opening 10 minutes. The Blues have come back into the game in the last 30 minutes though and have gone close through Lewis Montrose and Stuart Beavon. Join me again in 15 minutes.

44th min - Great work from Montrose to block Martin Rowlands' attempted clearance deep in Rangers territory.

43rd min - QPR are playing keep ball at the back as they try and draw the Wanderers onto them. The Blues are finding some more openings.

39th min - Pittman shows excellent pace to leave Fitz Hall for dead down the left-hand side but the problem with so much pace like JP has is that so can catch up him. The only man to support was Bloomfield but he was crowded out.

36th min - Beavon brings a good save from Cerny as the Czech 'keeper dives to his left. Mousinho got forward once more down the right and the former Weymouth man did well to get in front of his marker to test the former Spurs stopper.

34th min - Up the other end, the Wanderers create their best opening of the match. Westlake ran onto the through ball and only a last ditch clearance from Kaspars Gorkss denies JP his fourth goal of pre-season.

32nd min - Jamie Young enjoys his first touch in five minutes as Hall's ball was overhit.

30th min - The Blues have settled down in the last five or so minutes but are still struggling to turn an improved amount of possession into chances here at Adams Park.

28th min - A teasing Ian Westlake cross has won a corner for the Blues, as Matthew Connolly took no chances and headed behind.

26th min - Flowing move from QPR as they look a for a third. The ball came to Balanta, who turned and helped it on to Vine, but the Rangers no.9 slipped and the danger peetered out.

23rd min - Beavon strides forward with the ball but his pass to strike partner Jon Paul Pittman is underhit and QPR are able to bring the attack to an end. The Championship side are showing their class.

21st min - Stunning step over from Balanta on the edge of the area but his deep cross couldn't find Rowan Vine at the back post.

20th min - More encouragins signs from the Blues as they look to push for a goal here at Adams Park, but QPR remain strong at the back.

18th min - Skipper Rowlands brings a decent save from Young, as he lets fly from 25 yards after some nice interchange in the middle of the park.

17th min - Doherty is starting ti impose himself on the game and that is no mean feat against Rowlands and Gavin Mahon.

15th min - Lovely free-kick from Rowlands looking for the big Fitz Hall at the back post. The cross was headed out for a corner and nothing came of the resulting kick.

14th min - QPR are going forward again and only a poor return from Agyemang meant Angelo Balanta couldn't get the ball back and unleash inside the area.

13th min - New skipper Michael Duberry is donning the armband this evening and is playing alongside Chris Westwood at the heart of the Blues defence.

11th min - The game is ebbing and flowing and a great spectacle at the moment.

9th min - GOAL - Patrick Agyemang has doubled the visitors' lead with a clinical finish from 10 yards. Despite the scoreline, it's been a very fair opening.

7th min - First effort on goal for the Blues and it comes from Lewis Montrose. The former Wigan man drew a decent save from Radek Cerny from 20 yards.

4th min - First opening for the Blues and it came about the surge of John Mousinho. Mous got forward down the right and whipped in a dangerous cross, which has to be hacked away by Fitz Hall. Better stuff from Taylor's men.

3rd min - The Blues are sporting their new home kit for this evening's game. You can get your hands on the new kit by visiting the store in Eden or by visiting www.wwfcclubshop.co.uk.

2nd min - GOAL - QPR have taken the lead and the man getting the goal is Gavin Mahon. The former Watford man was left unmarked inside the 6-yard box and the midfielder stooped low to head past Young.

1st min - QPR have a free-kick in the early stages and they've won a corner, following a deflection of Chris Westwood.

Wanderers starting XI: Young, Mousinho, Cobb, Duberry, Westwood, Bloomfield, Doherty, Montrose, Westlake, Pittman, Beavon.

Subs: Shearer, Oliver, Harrold, Zebroski, Phillips, Daly, Fitchett, Lewis.
QPR starting XI: Cerny, Ramage, Connolly, Mahon, Hall, Gorkss, Routledge, Rowlands, Vine, Balanta, Agyemang. Subs: Alberti, Putnins, Brown (GK), Oastler, Parker, German, Vignal, Taarabt.
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