JOHN O'NEILL DOUBLE SINKS THE LOONS

O'Neill the Goal Hero

Queens made hard work of beating a tough Forfar side and had to rely on John O'Neill once again for supplying the goals. The forwards missed an absoulute barrowload of chances but a least we are through to the next round. There was a distinct lack of atmosphere at kick-off and the attendance was well down thanks to Scotland's World Cup match against the Faroes. Just over a thousand bothered to turn up including I estiamate about 40 diehards from Forfar. A most noticeable absence from the Queens line-up was Bowey who apparantly was rested due to a leg injury. The game started quietly and it was obvious Forfar were here to have a go. However they very nearly fell behind when O'Neill shot just over after a great move. The Angus outfit hit back and Bavidge went mighty close with a great header. Henderson also had a great chance on the 20th minute but his effort was well saved by Scott. Queens although not looking convinving were making plenty of chances but Lyle and Shields just couldn't find the net. Shields in fact could have had a couple but both his efforts slipped just wide. A goal had to come and it came via the penalty spot by O'Neill in the 25th minute. Shields was hauled down well inside the penalty box but the referee at first signalled for a free-kick. The linesman however had been well up with the play and indicated a penalty. This settled Queens and the game should have been over shortly afterwards but a great header from Weatherson just failed to find the net. The big talking point at half-time was the awful score from the Faroes and Stranraer beating Brechin 5-0.

HALF-TIME 1-0

Queens started off with the intention of finishing the game off but the Angus side were proving stubborn opponents and were refusing to give up. Queens were not having much luck in front of goal with Shields missing several chances. One particular chip looked like a goal all the way but somehow just cleared the bar behind a beaten Brown. Crawford also had another effort which crashed back of the bar as the home faithful hoped for the second killer goal. It came on the hour mark when O'Neill swung back his trusty left foot and crashed the ball high into the net behind Brown in the Loons goal. There was no way back for Loons now and Queens should have scored several more. Allan had cruel luck when his glorious header was cleared off the line as the Fordar goal came under seige in the last 10 minutes. In all not a convincing performance by Queens and we had to grind out a win against a Forfar side who came to have a real go. Once again our main concern is scoring goals. Lyle and Shields missed a hatful of chances. Lyle is a clever player but just takes that touch too many. Shields had some awful luck in front of goal but I feel the goals will come eventually but they will have to come soon or else we will have a relegation dogfight on our hands. One comment on the attendance. I estimate Queens lost over a thousand fans today because of the foolish decision to bring forward the game. Quickly converting that into cash, the club has lost about between £6000-£7000. Are Queens happy to lose this amount ? This may be an interesting point to put to the Chairman at the shareholders meeting in the Autumn !!!!!!