QUEENS ARE PROMOTED AFTER SECOND HALF GOAL BLITZ SINKS ACCIES

A second half goal blitz by Queens over Accies gained Queens promotion to

MoM performance

Division 1 after 15 years in the doldrums. Queens looked nervy from the kick-off and took a long time to get going against a stuffy Accies side. There were no clear cut chances from either side until around the 23rd minute when McAlpine set up Lyle whose resultant drive beat McFarlane in the Accies goal but struck the inside of the post and bounced clear much to the horror of the home support which had swelled to over 3,000. Minutes later McNiven embarrassed the Queens defence with a chip which just cleared the left hand side of Scotts goal. The crowd were becoming impatient as Queens continued to struggle against a compact Hamilton rearguard and this was compounded when an O'Neill drive ended up in Terregles Street after Lyle set him up. Disaster struck Queens in 40th minute when Accies Sherry was hauled back in the Queens penalty area after a comedy of errors by the home defence. The referee had no hesitation in awarding Hamilton a penalty but much to the delight of the huge home support,Scott made a great save from McDonalds resultant spot kick. The Queens support celebrated the miss in tremendous style but were almost silenced minutes later when Moore headed over for Accies when in a great position. As half-time approached and we headed for the pie stall the support were lifted by the scores filtering in from Alloa and Clydebank. The second half was going to be tough and we would have to dig out a result the hard way against a stubborn Accies side who were not here just to make up the numbers.

HALF TIME 0-0

Scored a screamer!

Queens started at tremendous pace and almost scored from the kick-off when a Weatherson chip beat MacFarlane but cannoned off the post. Queens were now kicking into their favourite home end and laid seige to the Accies goal. The opening goal came after the Accies defence made a right pigs ear of a high cross. The ball seemed to hit Accies SWEENEY on the back of the head and land in the net behind MacFarlane. The Palmy choir were now giving it the full welly and even a few verses of BLUE ARMY were heard from the sedate area of the main stand. Queens now went for the jugular and the Accies goal led a charmed life as O'Neill fired just over much to the relief of McFarlane in the Accies goal. The big keeper was in action minutes later saving at point blank range from O'Neill and McAlpine as Queens turned up the heat. In the 55th minute Palmy went Balmy as WEATHERSON rifled in a tremendous free-kick into the corner of the net.

On Target Again

Minutes later Palmerston was in Blue Heaven as LYLE drove in off the post after McAlpine had set him up. The game was now over and as the celebrations began Queens closed up shop as the Accies tried desperately to get back into the game. Queens missed a hatful of chances and could have ran up a bigger score. Queens eventually let in their usual late goal when MOORE was given a free header in the 88th minute to make the score 3-1 to Queens. As the referee blew for full-time news filtered through of the good news from Alloa and Clydebank. The team did a lap of honour much to the delight of the 3,000 crowd. We now have only to win at either Forfar OR at Palmy on the last game of the season to lift our first championship for 50 years.


The Dukes man of the match - It has to be Colin Scott for saving the penalty at such a crucial time.