Queens 2 Ross County 0 |
| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Nov 07 2006 at 9:32 AM |
Our second home game in successive weeks and it was the same result. A well deserved 2-0 victory over a poor Ross County side who rarely threatened our defence. Ian McCall stuck,unsurprisingly with the same starting eleven as against Livingston and the only change to the 16 being a return to the bench for Jim Thomson following his suspension.
Our lowest home league crowd of the season saw Queens make a bright start without troubling ex Queens loan keeper Craig Samson. His first save came from Andy Barrowman when his cross was scrambled over the bar at the expense of a corner.A curling shot from Countys on loan Celtic striker Gardyne then curled past Colin Scotts left hand post and that was about the only threat they posed on the home goal in the first 45 mins.
The second half started with Queens pressing towards the Portland Road end and although Countys French striker Amick Ciani who had replaced the injured Sean Higgins before the break,looked strong and lively he was well marshalled by the Queens defenders. As last week Laughlin,McKenzie and especially young Des McCaffrey were strong and reliable and giving good protection to Scott in goals who is also playing with lots of confidence just now. Just a pity his kicking was not a lot better as that is the part of his game which always makes me worry !
Ciani had a shot just past the post and to be honest he should have done better but it was Queens who then scored and what a goal it was. Referee Callum Murray gave a free kick just outside the box and in what was obviously a well rehearsed set piece as. It looked like either Moon or Weir was going to hit it but Moon ran over the ball and then the outstanding Neil Scally tapped it to Weir who hit it really well with so much power that Craig Samson could only help it on its way into the net. Palmerston went wild and it was easy to see how much this meant to the players as they celebrated.
Stephen Swift then came off the bench for the second Saturday in a row when he replaced the hard working and impressive Aussie Warren Moon. This resulted in Eric Paton, who is getting better and better every game moving into midfield.
At 1-0 it is always in the back of your mind that the opposition may create a chance or get a lucky break and manage to steal an undeserved point. We had no need to worry as Queens got another free kick. Willie Gibson swung the ball over the defence and at the back post was our top scorer,John O'Neill to head in the all important second goal.
The outstanding and hard working Graham Weir left the pitch to great applause as he was replaced by Andy Thomson with just under 15 mins left. Queens continued to look the more likely side to score and had another couple of chances before the final whistle was blown.
This was another hard working team performance with no failures and sets it up brilliantly for next weekends trip down to Gretna.
My man of the match was in agreement with the official award,Graham Weir worked his socks off and looked dangerous throughout and capped a fine performance with his goal. Eric Paton looks like he is back to his old self and was not far behind.
Musky.
