Airdrie Utd 0 Queens 3 |
| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Feb 18 2007 at 9:56 PM |
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The view today as we joined the bus on the Whitesands for the latest New Bazaar Doonhamers day out was that this was a match we just could not afford to lose. We started the day 4 points behind todays opponents but with a game in hand. Third bottom Ross County were away at Gretna so we were looking for them to pick up 3 points so that we would close the gap on County if we took anything from todays visit to the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium.
We had a full minibus for todays trip and after a quick stop at Palmerston where some of us had the chance to get a quick refreshment we were on our way. It was a lovely,clear and very springlike day and we were soon passing through Lanark and Carluke before being dropped of in the centre of Airdrie from where we made our way to the nearby Weatherspoons pub the " Robert Hamilton". It was a mad rush by a few of us to get upstairs to the toilets before having a few refreshments at the bar. We were soon back onto the bus and Ted drove us round to the stadium. We were seated in the same stand as the Airdrie support. We had an official head count of 701 away fans and everyone was in good voice.
pic courtesy of the Queens Trust
It was a now familiar 4-4-2 line up with young Jamie MacDonald in goals and a back four of Paton,Thomson,Laughlin and McQuillken. In midfield we had Tosh,Adams,Scally and Murray with O,Connor and Dobbie up front.
Queens started brightly and after 5 minutes Dobbie turned and shot but although his effort was spilled by the keeper it was cleared from danger.We did not have long to wait for the opening goal though as Sean O'Connor was brought down in the box as he chased a ball from Eric Paton. Up stepped Stephen Dobbie and he hammered the ball hard past the keeper to make it 1-0 to Queens. Brian sitting next to me was extra pleased as he had got Dobbie in the sweep on the bus as the first goal scorer.
It was all Queens at this stage and Sean had a header held by Robertson in the Airdrie goal. Stevie Murray then made a fine defensive tackle on Airdries McDougal as he looked to get a shot away inside the box .Murray and McQuillken were linking up well down the left side and getting a few good balls over into the box.It was 32 mins on the clock before the home side recorded their first shot on goal and it was easily held by MacDonald.
In 33 mins Queens went 2-0 ahead.The ball landed at the feet of Dobbie about 25 yds out and his low shot took a slight deflection before ending up in the back of the net. The travelling support went wild.
As half time approached I decided to head out for a pie and missed a couple of Airdrie chances one of which saw Twiggs header hit the post. So we got to the end of the first 45 mins 2-0 ahead and with the news that County were losing by the same score it was looking good.
Airdrie brought on their new Polish defender at the start of the second half. Queens were awarded a free kick for a late tackle on Murray then Sean O'Connor clasged with the keeper who was down injured for a short time. The game seemed to be getting a bit physical and ended up a few minutes later with Airdrie reduced to 10 men when Neil McGowan was shown a straight red card for a hard challenge on Stevie Tosh. It happened right in front of us and I felt that on another day he might have only been shown a yellow. Tosh hobbled around for a few minutes but couldnt continue and McCall shouted at Willie Gibson to hurry up and get stripped and he replaced him after 56 mins. A minute later saw a brilliant run from Stevie Murray and the wee winger cut inside before firing a shot goalwards which was well saved by the Airdrie No1. Sean then headed the ball into the net but the flag had already been raised. Airdrie had a low shot well held by Jamie MacDonald before big Sean did get on the scoresheet and what a good goal it was. Willie Gibson picked up the ball down the right hand side and got to the goal line before firing across a fine ball which big Sean burried into the net. 3-0 Queens and it was surely game,set and match.
Picture courtesy of Frances Frame
Queens continued to push forward and create chances. Adams shot over from 30yds then following good build up play Dobbie shot straight at the keeper. Scally had a shot saved before Dobbie had another go. He then had a clear chance for his hat trick when he was right through and one on one with the keeper but he somehow managed to hit his shot straight at him. O'Connor was replaced by Barrowman up front for Queens after 70 mins.
Queens continued to push forward and create chances. Adams shot over from 30yds then following good build up play Dobbie shot straight at the keeper. Scally had a shot saved before Dobbie had another go. He then had a clear chance for his hat trick when he was right through and one on one with the keeper but he somehow managed to hit his shot straight at him. O'Connor was replaced by Barrowman up front for Queens after 70 mins.
Airdrie brought on the player Queens fans love to hate Ian Harty but he was isolated and never got into the game, they then took Twigg off and replaced him with Taylor as they looked for a consolation. With 6 minutes to go Barrowman had a chance but his good run from the half way line was spoiled by a weak shot across goal. Gibson picked up a yellow card for what I thought was a soft tackle and then with a couple of minutes to go Dobbie came off to be replaced by Graham Weir. The final whistle went and the Queens players came off the pitch to a standing ovation from the travelling support.
A great 3 points and we can now look forward to the cup tie with Hibs before taking on Clyde then Gretna in our next two vital league games.
Musky.
Picture courtesy of Dave Linden.
Picture courtesy of Dave Linden.
