SUPERB NARDIELLO STAKES CLAIM
Danny Nardiello bagged a brace, as QPR Reserves produced a convincing second half display to brush aside Wycombe Wanderers at Loftus Road.
The former Barnsley ace notched twice in the second period, as the R's clinched a deserved 2-0 victory in their latest Pontin's Holidays Combination League fixture.
In an otherwise disappointing first period, Nardiello saw his run and shot end with a good save from James Reading, while at the other end, George Daley headed wide from inside the six-yard box.
Wanderers' front-man Danny Fitchett broke clear of the R's defence as the half drew to a close, but he saw his low drive fly inches wide of Jake Cole's far post.
On the stroke of half-time, Simon Walton - making his first start since fracturing his fibula in pre-season - was booked for a heavy challenge on Chris Palmer, as the two sides remained deadlocked at the break.
It took just five second half minutes for the stalemate to be broken though, when Nardiello seized upon an Angelo Balanta through ball to fire home past Reading.
It was all one-way traffic by now, as the R's - in front of the watching Luigi De Canio - continually peppered the visitors' goal.
Walton saw his header from a corner tipped over the bar by the overworked Reading, while Andrew Howell headed over a similar opportunity from a set-piece.
Nardiello stung the palms of Reading from the edge of the area, but he wasn't to be denied and soon doubled his - and Rangers' advantage - when he clinically headed home Chris Arthur's centre.
Walton and Cole made way with 20 minutes to go, with the latter replaced by young custodian Liam O'Brien.
O'Brien and the back four in front of him were rarely tested in the closing stages though, as Rangers finished in the ascendancy.
