A welcome win for Queens but they had to fight hard for their victory against an Airdrie team smarting from a heavy defeat against Falkirk the previous week. Many Queens fans did not make the kick-off becasue of traffic jams on the M74. In fact some fans missed the first half completely. There was a minutes silence prior to kick-off in respect of the awful events in Russia which Queens and Airdrie fans impeccably observed. The opening exchanges were pretty even with both goalkeepers very busy. Coyle and Vareille had tremendous efforts saved by the immaculate Scott in the Queens goal. Queens Payne and McLaughlan were obviously in the mood and the former should have done better than blast over when Bowey was in a postion to score. Payne also cut in and squared for Bowey but the Queen's skipper got tangled up with his teamate McLaughlan and the chance was lost. Airdrie had cruel luck when two of their defenders collided whilst challenging McNiven and both had to be stretchered off and taken to hospital. Queens took full advantage and on 40 minutes the diminutive Mc Laughlan chased a long ball and placed it in the corner of the net past the helpless McGeown in the home goal. You could see the pressure lifting from the Queens team and they started to stroke the ball around much to the delight of the sizeable away support. Queens were well pleased with their interval lead.
Half-Time 0-1
Queens took a firm grip of the game on restart as Airdrie tried hard to get back into the game. Thomson,however had his defence well drilled and were more than capable of anything the hosts could throw at them. McLaughlan in his new role of supporting McNiiven was a constant thorn in Airdrie's flesh and the home defence were resorting to dubious tactics to stop him. Payne was also having a fine game on the right ably supported by Burns and from one of his openings McNiven almost scored,bringing off a magnificent block from McGeown. Queens saw off the final quarter of the match comfortably with Thomson and his defenders in total command. Scotty will be relieved with this win and it hauls us up the table and with Hamilton the visitors at Palmy next week we can remain optomistic. Once again we missed several chances but who cares a win is a win and with prospect of several injured players coming back next week it looks like the mini crisis is over for the time being.
|
