A stunning 25 yard free kick from Martin Rowlands five minutes before half time, was enough to give Rangers their first pre season win - in which overall, was a dull encounter against a determined Wycombe side at Adams Park.

I have been working for LFW for well over a year now, but this is the first match report that Clive has asked me to do and of course, I am more than happy to oblige. However, I will try and keep it a bit different from the 'tongue in cheek' reports I write on my blog, Lofty Heights and keep it as informative as possible.

Well, year after year I often ask myself why I bother to go to friendly pre season games, but I still manage to attend all of them. I suppose it's mainly down to the fact that you are back at football after several weeks worth of boring Saturday afternoon's. But sadly, after today's game, the question was again asked of myself, why?

The transfer activity this week certainly made the game more appealing and after an easy journey and a visit to the very welcoming Scores Bar at the ground, we finally made our way in at about 2.45pm, just as the players were finishing their warm up.

Rangers lined up with 5 of the new boys making a start - John Curtis and Michael Mancienne were alongside Stewart and Shimmin at the back. Simon Walton and Danny Nardiello took their places in midfield alongside captain Adam Bolder and Martin Rowlands. Dexter Blackstock and Ray Jones made up the front two. But the biggest cheer of the afternoon from the healthy Rangers following of 1082, was reserved for Lee Camp who got a rousing reception as he ran into the Rangers goal.

It was Wycombe who made most of the early running as Rangers looked a bit out of sorts and Camp was definitely the busier of the two keepers. But five minutes before half time, Rangers won a free kick 25 yards out. Left sided midfielder for the day, Martin Rowlands stepped up and curled an inch perfect strike into the top corner. Camp again had to show just why he was such an important signing for us, as he tipped a header from McGleish over the bar just before the break.

Camp was finally beaten minutes after the restart but Sutton's shot smashed the Rangers crossbar. It was then time for the substitutions as Jones, Nardiello and Shimmin made way for Moore, Timsoska and new signing, Ben Sahar. But the home side continued to press and Jermain Easter produced a quite magnificent save from the outstanding Camp.

As the game which never really got started, began to fizzle out, we saw Jake Cole, Rehman, Bailey and Nygaard enter the play. As mentioned plenty of times before on this site, Nygaard may not be everyone's cup of tea and sadly today, you could see why.

To sum up, Rangers were probably a bit fortunate to come away with the win against a plucky and determined Wycombe side. But despite it not being the best spectacle of a match, John Gregory will have seen it as a good workout and time to bed in the new signings. As per the Celtic game though, it is a bit concerning about the lack of service the front men are receiving with that killer ball in the final third sadly lacking.

With that in mind, it's probably unfair to give player ratings for the game but instead, a brief run down. For the new boys, well Lee Camp had an outstanding game in the Rangers goal. Nardiello was very quiet on the right wing and after a shaky start, Simon Walton settled down quite well in the centre of midfield. John Curtis and Michael Mancienne both had good, solid games at the back and despite the lack of service, Ben Sahar looks a very good signing. His first touch is extremely good and his running off the ball is quite superb.

Martin Rowlands had a good run out and the goal was worth the trip on it's own. Another good performance from Adam Bolder too. He doesn't get forward himself too much, but is so comfortable on the ball and likes to spread the ball around.

QPR: Lee Camp (Jake Cole 65), Michael Mancienne, Dominic Shimmin (Sam Timoska 56), Damion Stewart, John Curtis (Zesh Rehman 79), Danny Nardiello (Stefan Moore 56), Adam Bolder, Simon Walton (Stefan Bailey 86), Martin Rowlands, Dexter Blackstock (Marc Nygaard 79), Ray Jones(Ben Sahar 56).

QPR Star Man - Martin Rowlands

Photo: Action Images

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