ARABS BOUNCE BACK TO DUMP SAD QUEENS

Last updated : 06 February 2005 By Duke Of Galloway

Craig stems the
Tangerine Tide
United bounced back from their humiliating defeat in midweek to inflict a comprehensive demolition job on a rather poor Queens side who must face the harsh reality that they are ill equiped to compete at this level. There was a carnival atmosphere before kick-off as a wonderful crowd of 5,500 crammed into Palmy. The Queens fans had turned out in their thousands and some colourful United fans added spice to the occasion. Queens were given tremendous vocal support from the faithful but the Premier League side gradually took a stranglehold on the match and started to make inroads into the Queens defence. Queens seemed to be holding their own until McIntyre stole in to place the ball high behind Scott on 13 minutes as Palmy held it's breath. The Dundee support erupted in a sigh of releif more than anything else. Queens driven on by Bowey were trying hard even to get out of their own half but Dundee looked to have all the answers and a further goal followed in the 24th minute although it carried a huge slice of luck. The Dundee full-back Wilson hit a speculative shot from way out which Scott was very slow in getting down to and although he got both hands to the ball it squirmed into the corner of the net to put the visitors 2-0 up and give Queens a mountain to climb. The home side tried everyting to break out of the stranglehold they were under without success. The game was over virtually as a contest on the 39th minute when Gibson back in his own penalty area scuffed a clearance straight to Duff who despatched it straight into the net to make the score 3-0 to the visitors. Dundee were well worth their interval lead and were way ahead of a Queens team that just could not get going. As the teams left the field the United fans taunted the home support with" We want seven"

Half-Time 0-3

The game followed a similar pattern in the second half with the Tangerines in complete control although McLaughlan's introduction at the expense of Gibson gave Queens some hope. The visitors were content in sitting on their lead but had the game well under control. Jaconelli came on for the completely out of touch McNiven but did little to change things. In the end Queens went down without a fight which was rather disappointing for the huge crowd. Once again our best players were in defence with Paton,Thomson,Reid and Craig doing their best to hold back the Tangerine tide with Bowey giving his all in midfield. The less said about the rest the better and it would be unfair to pick out individuals but I will go as far to say that there were at least 6 players in this Queens eleven who should be moved on if we are to progress to a higher level. We were overrun in midfield and we showed absolutely nothing up front and I can only remember Queens having one shot at goal in the whole game. This is simply not good enough. This team with the inclusion of Lovell and Williams may keep us in the division but there will have to be some new faces if we wish to progress to a higher level. Although it was a disappointing result it was wonderful occasion and the travelling Dundee United support were a credit to their club as they never stopped singing throughout the whole match. It's back to the bread and butter of the league next week at Perth where we hope to have Wood,Lovell and Williams back. So let's hope we bounce back.

McIntyre breaks the Queen's hearts

Colourful Queens banners at the Terregles End

Bowsers going tae get ye