CLEYHOLERS DUMP SAD QUEENS OUT OF BELLS CUP
Last updated : 03 August 2003 By Duke Of Galloway
| DISAPPOINTED VISITING QUEENS FANS |
Queens got exactly what they deserved after a shocking first half display and were sadly dumped out of the Challenge Cup by the grateful Cleyholers. Queens contributed a lot to their own downfall gifting Stranraer their second goal and missing a hatful of chances towards the end. As the teams lined up in front of a bumper Queens travelling support there was some concern that the Stranraer midfield looked much bigger than what we had to offer. Queens started off reasonably well with Bowey forcing play but Stranraer gradually ground down our midfield and Thomson and Co began to look rather uncomfortable at the back. However Queens were unlucky not to take the lead when a Bowey header seemed heading for the net until Mc Condichie diverted it for a corner. The Queens defence were being tested as Stranraer bombarded the away goal and Dodds had a string of magnificent saves. The Queens midfield seemed to have dropped right out of the game with Burke in particular having a shocker. Even Bowey was having a hard time stemming the tide against a Cleyholer side who were definitely in the mood. It was no surprise
Moore headed Stranraer into the lead on 27 minutes after another aerial bombardment of the Queens goal. The Queens fans were shocked and the home side were unlucky not to go further ahead by the interval. It was a dejected Queens side that trudged off the field at half-time.
Half-Time - Stranraer 1 Queens 0
Queens play improved dramatically at the start of the second half and at last tested the Stranraer defence but somehow just could not get the vital equaliser.
On 68 minutes a cruel stroke of luck gifted Stranraer a second goal. Queens defence seemed to have cleared a harmless looking cross but somehow the ball deflected right into the path of Moore who had sneaked in on the blind side and the Stranraer striker made no mistake. Queens were right up against it now but still came forward with O'Connor and Paton missing good chances. Queens were thrown a lifeline on 80 minutes when Lyle volleyed home. In the last 10 minutes the Doonhamers threw everything at the home side but despite a string of more glaring misses the Cleyholers held on for a famous victory. This was a terrible let down for the huge travelling Queens support who outnumbered the home crowd by about 4 to 1. Queens biggest failing was in midfield where they were outfought by the Cleyholers who had several men well over six foot. However Queens had their chances and some of their finishing was deplorable. This may be a wake call for all concerned at Palmerston and questions the signing of Burke,Bagan and Hodge all of whom failed to impress. We will really be up against it next week at Perth and I begin to wonder if our fragile midfield will survive in Division 1 next season. Very few Queens players gained pass marks and even Bowey looked strangely subdued. Dodds at least has a safe pair of hands but Thomson and Aitken struggled with the physical approach of Stranraer. Mc Alpine,Burke and Bagan had absolute shockers in mid-field with O'Connor passing up some good chances. Lyle took his goal well but had little opportunity to shine as his teamates crumbled around him. Where do Queens go from here ? Well it looks very much like Division 2 on this display and make no mistake about it Stranraer were far from a good team which makes it even harder to swallow. It's on to Perth on Saturday and god knows what misfortune awaits us there ! JC must be feeling a bit like the England cricket captain this evening with one small difference - we can't hope for bad weather to save us.
Queens Team: Dodds,Paton,Thomson,Aitken,Hodge,Bagan,Bowey,Mc Alpine,
Burke,Lyle,O'Connor.
Subs: Gibson,Atkinson,Allan,Mc Colligan,Scott.
| CLEYHOLERS FRUSTRATE QUEENS |
