QUAKERS MAKE QUEENS PAY FOR DEFENSIVE ERRORS

Queens twice threw away a goal lead to a powerful Darlington side at Palmy last night. Queens seemingly had the game won but defensive errors marred what was an otherwise creditable performance against a full-time English third division side who will do well this season. Queens took the game to the Quakers from the start with O'Connor and Gibson in sparkling form. Darlington however were also keen to come forward which made it an entertaining encounter. Queens took the lead in the 14th minute with a marvelous O'Connor goal after Burke and Bagan had opened up the Quakers defence. Queens really should have consolidated and had the chances to really make it tough for their English hosts. Darlington however equalised slightly aagainst the run of play 12 minutes later when Liddle was allowed to rise unchallenged to beat Dodds after a corner. Queens were stunned but still managed to create further chances which they missed. As Queens left the field at the interval, JC was observed giving his defnders some stern words.

Half-Time Queens 1 Darlington 1

Darlington were now much more in the game during the second half and were now asking questions of the Queens defence. Thomson,Aitken and Paton however stood firm an refused to be intimidated by the powerful Darlington front men. O'Connor was continuing to give the Quakers problems and he set up several chances which Lyle and Burke failed to convert. On the hour mark Burke put Queens in the lead with his first goal for the club after Lyle had set him up. Queens fans settled down to perhaps more goals from their favourites but it was not to be as Darlington equalised in 68 minutes after Robson took advantage of some slackness in the Queens rearguard. Queens still had the chances towards the end to snatch a deserved win but they had to be happy with a share of the spoils. Queens can consider themselves unlucky not to win but in the end defensive errors and bad finishing cost them dearly. O'Connor,Gibson and Burke all did reasonably well but JC will no doubt be having words with his defenders during training this week. I doubt if Dumbarton will provide such powerful opposition as the Quakers when Queens head for Clydeside on Saturday.

Queens Pool: Dodds,Paton,Mc Alpine,Bagan,Aitken,Thomson,O'Connor,Mc Colligan,Gibson, Lyle,Burke. Subs: Robertson,Allan,Hodge,Jaconelli,Coates.
 

CLARKE CLEARS FOR THE QUAKERS LIFE GETS TOUGH AT THE TOP FOR GIBSON