CHRISTIE'S ENTERTAINERS HOLD QUEENS TO DOUR DRAW

Last updated : 08 December 2002 By Duke Of Galloway
McLauglan - vital equaliser.
Queens were made to fight all the way against a determined Alloa side battling to stay in Division 1. Alloa certainly did not look like relegation material and Queens found it very difficult to break down their packed defence. Queens started well and the Wasps defence came under heavy pressure. O'Connor should have scored when he had a free header but his effort dropped just behind. Alloa were content to soak up the pressure and hit Queens on the break with Little on the left wing becoming a thorn in the Doonhamer's defence. It was from one of the wingers probing runs that Alloa went ahead in the 27th when Hutcheson picked up his pass and cleverly beat Goram. The goal was greeted with almost total silence by the sizeable Palmy crowd and the dozen or so Wasp supporters could hardly believe their luck. We all thought well here we go again as Christie, the Alloa manager pulled everyone back behind the ball. Shortly afterwards Alloa thought thay had scored again but the referee,after consulting the linesman ruled that the ball was handled by an Alloa forward and chauked off the goal much to the relief of the home support. The Alloa manager was not happy with the decision and his antics on the touchline warranted a few words from the referee. Queens meanwhile pushed hard for an equaliser before half time but the resolute Alloa rearguard held firm.

Half-time Queens 0 Alloa 1

There was almost a sensational start to the second half when Weatherson ran through the Alloa defence and struck a terrific shot at goal. The Alloa goalie was well beaten but the ball semed to swerve at the last minute and drifted past. Queens were now getting in about this Alloa team and Paton brought out the save of the game from the Alloa goalkeeper. Little was seen of the Alloa fowards as Queens continued to make chances but somehow the ball just would not go in. Queens forced corner after corner and there were some terrfic scrambles in the Wasp's goal area. The referee was also upsetting everyone with some weird decisions. Two Queens players and one Alloa player were all booked for DIVING believe it or not. When we all thought that Queens would never score up popped McLaughlan in the 80th minute to sent Palmy wild with a terrific individual goal. He stole into the Alloa penalty box and scored with a delightful chip over the bemused Wasps goalie. Queens sensed victory and had a real go at Alloa in the last few minutes but it was not to be and in end both sides were happy with a draw. Queens will be disappointed about dropping two points but Alloa were tough oppostion and will give most teams problems on this form. Although not pretty to watch, their manager Terry Christie has them well drilled. Queens certainly didn't deserve to loose and they had chances to win however a valuable point was gained and it may prove useful towards the end of the season. Sorry about no match pics but my pocket Olympus camera went belly up shortly after Alloa scored. It seems that Christie has the Indian Sign over us in more ways than one !!!!

Photograph by kind permission of QOSFC