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Queens recorded a memorable victory in a dramatic Challenge Cup semi-final and sent the large travelling support into ecstacy. Queens were worthy winners and after completely dominating the first 45 minutes how on earth St Mirren were still on level terms is beyond me. Queens could easily have been several goals up by half-time but a combination of shocking luck and good goalkeeping from St Mirren's Roy gave a false scoreline. Queens started off as if they meant business and had the Saints goal under constant pressure. Bowey and O'Neill were bossing the midfield with Shields and Weatherson causing havoc in the St Mirren box. Weatherson,Lyle and Shields all went close as the Paisley defence led a charmed life. The huge travelling Queens support were loving it and making plenty of noise as the cry went out "BOWSER'S GOING TO GET YOU". The sporting Paisley crowd looked shell-shocked and all they could muster was the cry "STAND UP IF YOU HATE MORTON." The Queens supoport responded with great relish. Unless you were on Mars it was no suprise when Queens took the lead through the impressive Shields who ran on and flicked past Roy in the St Mirren goal. The goal was greeted by mayhem in the visitors stand but 5 minutes later on the 12 minute mark they were stunned as McGinty volleyed home after a free-kick was played to him. Queens were still in control however and the lead was restored on 38 minutes when Lyle netted from a Weatherston lay-off. We all thought well this should be a handy half-time lead but to everyone's dismay Atkinson was skinned on the right and from the resultant cross Cameron headed past a bemused Scott in the Queens goal. Even the most diehard of Saints supporters would have wondered how on earth the honours were even at half-time as the Palmy oufit had totally dominated the first 45 minutes.
Half-time 2-2
St Mirren came out for the second half and looked a more impressive outfit but Queens still looked the likelier side with Bowey having a stormer in the midfield.
O'Neill was also very impressive and Queens still continued to make chances. Mendes was proving a hot handful for the Queens rearguard and Scott made a point blank save from the striker as St Mirren started to push forward. Bowey however was causing havoc in the midfield and after picking up a loose ball he raced into the Saints half. The Paisley rearguard back pedalled inviting him to shoot. BOWSER accepted the invitation and hit a left footed missile from about 25 yards beyond the helpless Roy. The visitors end exploded with joy as the blond headed Englishman raced up the field to greet the Palmy hordes. St Mirren were stunned and urged on by their vociferous support pushed forward but the Queens defence had regrouped with Anderson coming on and were giving nothing away. Nevertheless Scott had to produce a series of stunning saves to keep them out. As the 80th minute apporoached we thought Queens would hold out for a 3-2 victory until a swerving free-kick by Fellner deceived Scott and sent the Paisley crowd wild with delight. We all thought well Queens had lost their chance and the full-timers of St Mirren would win through in extra time. Queens had other ideas as wee McLaughlan made a nuisance of himself outside the Paisley penalty area and was hauled to the ground. Nelly grabbed the ball and sent the resultant free-kick high into the net past Roy amid amazing scenes at the visitors end. Then in the last minute,as the devastated Paisley fans were streaming for the exits,Shields ran straight through the Saints defence and drove the ball into the corner of the net past Roy. In all a great win for Queens and the margin should have been greater but for our usual defensive lapses but who the hell cares. We are in the final and stand a great chance of lifting the cup against Brechin in October.
QUEENS TEAM: Scott,Atkinson,Neilson,Aitken,Crawford,Bowey,O'Neill,Lyle,Weatherson,
Shields,AcAlpine.
Duke's men of the match - THE QUEENS TEAM