The young rangers were playing against a vastly more experienced Gills side today at the Priestfield Stadium, so I was interested to see how they would cope.

Rangers played a 4-4-2 with Duncan, Wattley, Ifura and Padula at the back, Bean and Murphy in the Centre of midfield, Wes on the right, Walshie on the left, Vieira and Oli up front, and not forgetting Digby in goal. 

An early chance fell to Wallace for Gillingham and he should have scored but screwed his shot wide. The R's defence was playing much to deep, and were under quite alot of pressure early on, and Wallace seemed to be all over the place. The first shot on the gills goal was from Murphy with a volley from 25 yards which just went over.

Gillingham have a kid called Kevin James who was real class, he played a one-two around the defence, but shot wide. But moments later Tommy Johnson opened the scoring after Wallace had got behind the back of the defence. It looked to me like Duncan and Perpetuini ran into each other but unfortunately the ref pointed to the spot, But I have to say Digby made an excellent save from Perpetuini kick. Soon after Wallace again shot across goal when through, while at the other end a ball from Bean put Oli through but he also shot wide. Murphy then dispossessed the Gills midfield but again the shot was inches the wrong side of the post.

Minutes later Jones showed how to get a shot on target with a 20 yarder that flew into the net to make it 2-0 to Gillingham. Wallace went off after about 35 minutes with what looked like a hamstring injury. Rangers started to play some good football, but the final ball was never good enough to hurt The Gills. Just on the stroke of half time a well worked corner gave the ball to Jones who from the edge of the box blasted it past Digby. The half time whistle went with a Gillingham three goals to nil in front.

To tell the truth I thought the second half would be a bit of a pasting for rangers, but credit to the young lads they came out fighting and took the game to Gillingham. Vieira missed a header from 8 yards out after good work from Padula, Murphy and Walshe, Vieira was then denied a blatant penalty when put through by Daly. Oli was unlucky with a nice flick from a Walshe corner which the keeper did well to save, and a tremendous shot from Daly was tipped over by Bartram who was by now the busier keeper. Murphy took one touch to many after a neat layoff from Oli, and Vieira showed some good control to put Oli in, but the defender just got a toe in to clear. Fitzgerald came on for Oli around the 70 minute mark, Gillingham were still a danger and Padula was lucky when he lost the ball to White who shot wide of the goal. 

With the sun beaming down both teams were looking tired. Herron came on for Walshe after he fell awkwardly, and looked composed on the ball in the little action he had. Padula saved a goal bound header on the line from a corner, and after a neat turn and run Murphy had a shot on goal which was a bit near the keeper to cause any trouble. 

Final score Gillingham 3-0 QPR

All in all with better finishing Rangers should have got a couple second half, but they did themselves proud with their second half display. Dennis Oli worked his socks off and was unlucky not to score, Murphy did well in an unaccustomed centre-mid role, Duncan played well at right back. Wattley and Ifura who after a rocky start against the likes of Wallace and Johnson did well - I was impressed with these two. Padula who played well, is not a better left-back then Murphy, and in my opinion will be found out. Bean and Daly by their standards both had quite games, but both showed glimpses of what they are capable of, they will both go far. Walshie was nowhere to be seen first half, played a bit better in the second, he looks to me to be lacking fitness. Having only seen Vieira today I think I will reserve judgement, but on this showing I don't think he is anywhere near your first team, So this leaves me confused regarding Holloway's treatment of Paquette. 

Anyway, A good game to watch, experience versus youth, and after a shaky start, they showed what they are capable of in the second half.