QUEENS PAY DEARLY FOR MISSED CHANCES
Last updated : 30 December 2004 By Duke Of Galloway
Mclaughlan
missed
great chance |
Queens were given a cruel lesson in the art of finishing at New Broomfield last night as they slumped to defeat in a match in which they dominated for long periods and played some delightful football at times in atrocious conditions. The game kicked off on a slippery wet surface with both teams struggling to come to terms with the conditions. The vociferous Queens support tried to liven up the morgue like atmosphere where three of the stands were empty. Queens took the game to the home side but created very little in front of goal. Airdrie on the otherhand with less of the ball always looked dangerous with Gow and Coyle causing problems. Queens lost a bad goal on 31 minutes when the evergreen Coyle found himself completely unmarked in the box to power down a header from a deep cross on the left. Queens immediately ran up field and McLaughlan had a glorious chance to equalise but a double save by the home keeper kept Queens out. Airdrie sat back for most of the rest of the half satisfied with their one goal cushion. Queens huffed and puffed but despite some strong running by Lyle made no impression on the tight home defence.Half-Time Airdrie 1 Queens 0
Queens came out of the traps at the double and really had a go at Airdrie in the second half but that old failing in front of goal proved to be their downfall. Lyle had a goal bound shot blocked and Burns brought out a great save from the Airdrie keeper. Bowey was also in the thick of it and missed three glorious chances as the home side wilted. However as long as the game progressed one felt that Airdrie were quite capable of snatching a second goal to finish off the Doonhamers. And so it proved to be as the immaculate Gow caught the Queens defence wanting when he squeezed the ball past Bernard on 74 minutes to put the homesters 2-0 up. Queens never gave up however and had further chances to pull back a goal with McNiven missing a sitter in the closing minutes. Queens will feel hard done by losing like this but it's goals that count and in Coyle and Gow, Airdrie held the trump cards. Queens didn't do a lot wrong in this game which they dominated for long periods but in front of goal they were absolutely woeful and manager Scott will be concerned about this as we drop into relegation territory. In my opinion Scott should abandon this formation with only one man up as they functioned much better later on when McNiven came on to partner Lyle. We now have an almighty battle to stay away from relegation worries and the match with Hamilton on New Years Day takes on an entirely different dimension. Once again it's time for the fans to get right behind the team and give them every support. It should be a tense game on Saturday if the game is played as my Palmy sources inform me that the pitch is still waterlogged.
