From the Offy Site.....
Posted on: Sun 25 Jul 2010

Hogan Ephraim's hot-streak continued, as Rangers rounded off their Italian tour with victory against Ravenna Calcio. The in-form attacker bagged his seventh goal of a quite remarkable pre-season campaign to cancel out Piovaccari's opener, before Jamie Mackie added a second to seal the win.

Both sides were reduced to ten men early in the second half when Fitz Hall and Fasano were sent off for their involvement in a minor scuffle, as the Lega Pro Prima Divisione side exerted their physical presence on the tie with a series of x-rated challenges.

Neil Warnock was able to call on the fit-again Paddy Kenny and Hall for the R's final friendly in Italy. Kenny replaced Radek Cerny, lining up behind back four of Peter Ramage, Hall, Matt Connolly and Clint Hill.

Mikele Leigertwood partnered Ali Faurlin in the middle of the park, with Ephraim buzzing around behind a front-three of Leon Clarke, Heidar Helguson and Mackie.

The R's could have been ahead as early as the second minute. Clarke delivered an unbelievable cross from the left flank, but Helguson - with the net ready to burst - somehow saw his header blocked from the edge of the six-yard box.

Clarke was enjoying a bright start, and when he created space for himself 25 yards from goal just a couple of minutes later, home custodian Rossi had to be alert to tip his low drive round the right hand post.

R's skipper Leigertwood was next to try his luck from distance, but his attempt - after a driving 50 yard run - flew wide of the left hand upright.

Ravenna grew in stature as the half reached the quarter hour mark and they took a surprise lead with their very first attack of the contest on 17 minutes.

A deep cross from the right saw Piovaccari steal a march on the R's back four, before blasting a volley past Kenny from eight yards. Rangers were denied what appeared to be the clearest of penalties in the 24th minute.

After the hosts could only half clear their lines, a Ravenna defender clearly handled the ball in the box, only for Mr Coccia to award a free-kick inches outside the area.

The R's players - as well as the seething Warnock in the technical area - were adamant a spot-kick should have been awarded, with Hall in particular voicing his frustrations. Unfortunately for the Hoops, Ephraim's resultant free-kick curled inches over the bar, to the relief of the flat footed Rossi.

As it had been from the first whistle, it was pretty much all one-way traffic, with Helguson next to test Rossi with a deft downward header from Ephraim's out-swinging corner.

Faurlin's left footed strike from distance had Rossi scrambling across his goal on the half hour, but the ball flashed narrowly wide.

The Ravenna goal was living a charmed life, and when Clarke nodded back across goal for Helguson, the Icelandic front-man was against thwarted by Rossi, who expertly kicked the ball away from danger.

Quite how it remained 1-0 was a mystery to many in the stadium - even the locals who seemed embarrassed by the amount of chances Rangers were creating.

This time it was Hill who brought the best out of Rossi, saving the roaming left backs strike from point-blank range in the 42nd minute.

Undeterred, the R's finally drew level a minute before the break, thanks to that man Ephraim.

Mackie played provider, pulling the ball back from the byline and with time to set himself, Ephraim did the rest, sending the keeper the wrong way from 12 yards.

The small gathering of Rangers fans in attendance - most notably those from the Italian Supporters Club - didn't have to wait too long to see the R's grab a second.

The second period was just three minutes old when Mackie cut in from the right wing and deftly chipped the ball over Rossi from 15 yards.

Clearly frustrated by playing second fiddle for sustained periods, the hosts resorted to attempting to kick the R's quality out of their game.

Clarke and then Helguson were both hacked to ground from behind, sparking a flash-point between players from both sides, as things turned ugly.

As Clarke received treatment, another melee ensued and both Hall and Fasano were given their marching orders for their involvement in the off-the-ball altercation. It seemed nothing more than handbags, but the referee thought otherwise and both players made their way down the tunnel.

Warnock reacted by bringing off the battered and bruised Clarke, with Josh Parker coming on in his place. And the youngster didn't take long to make an impression, teeing the ball up for Faurlin, whose weak curler was easily gathered by Rossi.

At the other end, Toledo smashed a thunderous effort from 30 yards off the bar, before the hosts made a plethora of substitutions.

Warnock followed suit by making three changes of his own midway through the half, but it did little to disrupt the visitors, who continued to dominate proceedings.

Antonio German's neat turn and strike forced sub keeper Menegatti into his first save since entering the fray five minutes from time, but it mattered little, as the R's coasted to the first whistle.

QPR: Kenny, Ramage, Hill (Gorkss 67), Connolly, Hall, Leigertwood (Borrowdale 67), Ephraim, Mackie, Helguson (German 67), Clake (Parker 58), Faurlin.
Subs: Cerny, Derry.

To be fair to the offish that is a very decent write up. Sounds like it was a bit of a kicking match though and I still believe we could have played stronger opposition in the likes of Holland, Belgium, Germany or Scandinavia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdk-ezII ... r_embedded

Tv coverage. Tasty 2nd goal from Mackie.

Agreed Martin. Although this bit made me laugh-

Yeah - I suspect we dished it out a bit too!

Great 2nd goal now that was one that Wegerle would have been proud of.

Anyone know the crack on the red card and if it is a ban or not?

Usually it is