AYR TRIUMPH AS QUEENS PAY PENALTY FOR MISSED CHANCES

Grady- killer goal

Queens got a timely reminder on the harsh realities of life in Division 1 as a well organised Ayr side gained a narrow but deserved victory. We never really competed in mid-field until it was too late and we just could not put the Ayr rearguard under any sustained pressure as we were unable to get men quickly into the box. To be quite honest the first half was quite dreadful and one young man sitting next to me said he wished he had stayed in the pub. Both teams went on the defensive from the start and it became somewhat of a stalemate although an Atkinson cross in the 3rd minute should have produced a goal. Ayr looked a compact unit as they stroked the ball around but Queens could just not get going in the mid-field where Paton and McColligan were dreadful. Shields had a half chance on the 20th minute mark put pulled his shot wide. Chances however were few and far between as the half dragged on to its boring conclusion. In the 40th minute there came what I thought was the turning point of the match. Shields was clean through on Nelson but somehow the keeper blocked his shot and a superb chance was lost. Queens were made to pay dearly for this miss just before half-time when Ayr bundled the ball into the net from a corner. Cambell was given the goal but the ball was deflected by the unlucky Allan. It was a cruel blow to Queens, considering they really should have been 1-0 up at this stage.

Half Time 0-1

Queens received a further setback shortly after the break when Grady was given the freedom of Palmy as he was allowed to pick his spot after a poor defensive clearance from the home side. Queens were stung by this and at last took the game to Ayr. Weatherson and Shields continued to have rotten luck in front of goal as they continued to miss chances. O'Neill was brought on as Queens went for broke but the Ayr rearguard held firm and seemed content in playing out time. Sheerin almost rubbed it in for the Honest Men as he just failed to connect from a great position. Bowey was switched to midfield and McAlpine was brought on as Queens pinned Ayr back. Lyle had a wonderful chance but his effort was well saved by Nelson. Queens did grab a deserved goal in the 82nd minute when Bowey showed his forwards how to do it when he ran in on Nelson and rammed it past the keeper but by that time the Palmy faithful had accepted defeat and were already heading for the pub.
This was a disappointing result for Queens in front of another large passionate crowd but to be honest we are having problems scoring goals. Neither Lyle,Weatherson or Shields are willing or able to get into the box quickly enough and put the oppostion under pressure. The mid-field continues to disappoint with McColligan and Paton failing to impress. JC'S tactic of playing Bowey on the left wing in the first half baffles me as the wee man is our most effective midfielder by a mile. It was only when Bowey was switched into mid-field and McAlpine brought on did we see Ayr look uncomfortable.
Our defence continues to be our biggest asset and I think they were unkucky with the first Ayr goal which in fact turned the match. I wouldn't press the panic button just yet but there remains a great deal of work to be done if we are to survive in this division. It is interesting to note that Alloa and Arbroath are also struggling. As for Queens chances against St Mirren on Tuesday evening - On this form FORGET IT !