Stevenage’s first home game of pre-season ended in defeat against a strong QPR team. The team from West London didn’t really get out of second gear and ended up comfortable winners at Broadhall Way. Graham Westley decided to field a stronger team, which included goalkeeper Carl Muggleton, from the off against the Championship side and bring players on throughout the second half. QPR gave debuts to Peter Ramage and Samuel Di Carmine in the first half and changed their team for the second half completely.

Boro began the first half brightly and were playing some good football. Daryl McMahon had a goal ruled out for offside after a good move from the Blue Square Premier side. Anthony Thomas again looked lively up front and had a few long shots in the first 45. QPR’s first goal came after 15 minutes after John Martin was knocked off the ball and Hogan Ephraim cut inside and bent the ball in past trialist Muggleton. The goal seemed to lift QPR and Boro were beginning to be out played across the park.

After half an hour Steve Morison got injured and was replaced by Iyseden Christie. Christie, who still looks un-fit impressed me with his ability to hold up the ball and has a surprising turn of pace for a big bloke. He had a chance to equalise later in the first half when he was put through over the top, but goalkeeper Lee Camp made a good stop from the ex Mansfield striker. Boro went into the break 1-0 down.

Unlike the previous two pre-season games, Boro were unchanged in the second half, but QPR started the better and doubled their lead within 60 seconds of the restart after Romone Rose was allowed space to turn and shoot past the poor Muggleton. I thought the goalkeeper could of done better throughout the game and am unsure why he was even playing today. QPR were all over Boro at the at the beginning of the second half and it didn’t take long before Matteo Alberti made it 3-0 to Rangers.

At this stage GW began to change around some of the players and it had an effect on the performance. Lawrie Wilson came on for Daryl McMahon and Eddie Anaclet who had been roasted by Rose in the second half moved onto the right wing with Cole going onto the left. Boro seemed to have a better shape and Cole put a decent cross in from the left which Christie headed home. The changes continued throughout the second half with a lot of players getting a few more minutes under their belt ahead of the start of the season in 3 weeks time.

Overall, It was a good workout for Boro, but GW will be disappointed with the goals that we conceded. Even so Boro when in possession passed the ball well and looked good going forward against a big Championship side. Peterborough are the next opponents for Boro on Tuesday and I think there attack will be much more potent than the QPR one we saw today. Should be good.