Atkin |
The match started like a dream for Queens as O'Connor and Dobbie started to dismantle the Perth defence. Palmy erupted on 3 minutes when Dobbie chipped superbly over Main to put Queens ahead. The Doonhamers went for the jugular and Burns really should have scored when Gilmour set him up. The Saints gradually beginning to show their pedigree with Weatherston causing havoc on the right. Aitken however had Queens well organised at the back with Atkin and MacDonald gving good support.
McFarlane lit up Palmy on 27 minutes when he put Queens 2-0 up with a superb strike to the right hand corner from 30 yards giving Main no chance. Saints struck back unexpectadly a few minutes later when Sheerin scored from the penalty spot after McQuilken had felled the speedy Weatherston. Queens were well worth their interval lead after a great first half of football.
Half-Time - Queens 2 Saints 1
Saints as expected came out fighting in the second half but Queens held firm and had a great chance to increase their lead on 53 minutes when the referee awarded a penalty after Dobbie had been fouled by Stanic. Dobbie much to horror of the Portland Road End put his spot-kick too near Main and the big Perth keeper saved. Dobbie however made amends a few minutes later when he superbly stroked the ball into the corner of the net to put Queens 3-1 up and in Blue Heaven.
Queens seemed to be content to hold on to their lead for the remainder of the half and Manager Chisolm eventually had to bring on his subsitutes as his injury ravaged side began to show signs of tiring. Queens however were well in control and heading for a famous victory when to everyone's surprise including the travelling Perth support,the referee awarded a penalty after Robertson had clashed with Hardie on 89 minutes. Hardie thankfully scored from the spot as Palmy held it's breath. Queens were obviously shaken and with Saints sniffing an equaliser,the game was completely turned on it's head. In almost the last kick of the match Hardie managed to squeeze ball home in front of a stunned Home support.
It was really rough justice on a Queens team which had performed so well but never has the old cliche "We would have taken a point before the match" rung truer. It was revealed afterwards that Queen's manager Chisolm was forced to field several players who were not fully fit yet they ran Saints ragged at times.
It's off to Methil on midweek cup business and Chisolm will have several suspended players available but next weeks clash with Dundee at Dens Park is another tough one but if we manage to continue with this good form we should have no worries.
Duke's man of the match - Dobbie of course !
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