QPR’s Austin scores on full debut as Exeter are beaten
Charlie Austin - Credit: PA Archive/Press Association Images
Exeter 0 QPR 2
The former Burnley striker, who joined Rangers last week, was on hand to divert home Jermaine Jenas’s shot to give the R’s the perfect start.
And fellow new signing Danny Simpson wrapped it up for the visitors with his first Rs goal in the second half.
Manager Harry Redknapp made five changes from their opening day win over Sheffield Wednesday with centre-back Richard Dunne and Austin making their debuts, with Yun Suk-Young, Jermaine Jenas and Brian Murphy also drafted in to the starting line-up.
League Two side Exeter included former Rangers midfielder Tommy Doherty in their team, with Rangers hoping for a similar result to the last time when they played the Grecians in the League Cup four years ago.
After Austin’s early opener, Clint Hill almost added a second with a header which the Exeter keeper kept out.
Redknapp made one change at the break with Andy Johnson replacing Bobby Zamora, with the former setting up Simpson, who fired home emphatically from close range for his first QPR goal since he joined the club earlier this summer.
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Rangers went close to going further ahead when Joey Barton and Johnson were denied, and Shaun Wright-Phillips’ emphatic effort rebounding off the bar.
The home side’s best chance came from substitute Arron Johnson who smashed the underside of the crossbar in the latter stages, but Rangers were not to be denied and secured their progress with ease.
