Friendlies round-up

Premier League new boys Burnley kicked off their pre-season campaign with a defeat at Bradford, Histon sprung a surprise on West Brom and Newcastle saw off Shamrock Rovers. Owen Coyle's Burnley, who handed a debut to record signing Steven Fletcher, took the lead in the 13th minute courtesy of Graham Alexander's screamer after former Bantam Robbie Blake had squared the ball to the midfielder.Bradford hit back with two goals before half-time, as James O'Brien equalised from 12 yards before Michael Boulding coolly slotted past Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen for the winner.West Brom missed two penalties in the final nine minutes as they went down to a 1-0 defeat at Histon.Debutant Simon Cox, who joined the Baggies in a £1.5million move from Swindon, and Luke Moore both had their spot-kicks saved by Histon goalkeeper Danny Naisbitt in the 81st and 85th minutes respectively.Jamie Barker scored the only goal of the game with a 15-yard volley in the 64th minute for the Blue Square Premier club as Roberto Di Matteo lost his first match in charge of the Baggies.Newcastle, up for sale and managerless, finally had something to smile about on their trip to Ireland as they beat Shamrock Rovers 3-0.Rovers impressed during the first period in holding their Championship visitors before Steven Taylor broke the deadlock from close range five minutes after the break.Newcastle's win was secured by further efforts from Shola Ameobi and Nile Ranger in the closing stages.A solitary goal by Chris Porter was sufficient for Derby to clinch a 1-0 win at Burton. The goal came in the 19th minute when Porter got a touch on Patrick Kisnorbo's header.Two strikes either side of half-time saw QPR claim a commanding 4-0 win at Aldershot. Akos Buzsaky put the West London side ahead with an unstoppable shot before Heidar Helguson doubled the lead from close range.Patrick Agyemang added a third when he calmly slotted home after being put clear by Mikele Leigertwood and Dexter Blackstock wrapped up the win with a shot from six yards.Two goals from Gary Taylor-Fletcher guided Blackpool to a 4-0 victory at Burscough.Taylor-Fletcher nodded the Seasiders ahead before cutting inside three men and firing past the goalkeeper to give his side a two-goal lead.Brett Ormerod then fired home from an acute angle before Daniel Nardiello wrapped things up when he headed home.Championship newcomers Leicester clinched a 3-1 win at Loughborough Dynamo in their opening pre-season game.The Foxes were 2-0 up inside 10 minutes thanks to Billy Kee's header and Paul Dickov's penalty.Alex Johnson reduced the deficit but Nicky Adams restored the two-goal lead.Southampton's woes continued when they went down 2-1 at Bournemouth despite going a goal ahead.Port Vale went down 1-0 at Biddulph Victoria, Wycombe claimed a 1-0 win at AFC Wimbledon and Cheltenham triumphed 2-1 at Weston-super-Mare.

Source: SKY_Sports