QUEENS CRASH OUT TO STREETWISE ALLOA AT THE REC
Last updated : 06 April 2002 By Duke Of Galloway
 | MoM curse strikes again! |
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Queens suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of a more streetwise Alloa side much to the disappointment of the huge 1,000 travelling support. There was surprise at the team selection by JC when he brought Anderson back in at left back replacing Crawford. The opening exchanges were pretty even but it was fairly obvious that Alloa were up for this one and started to dominate in midfield. Early chances however fell to Queens and Lyle(twice) and O'Connor came close to troubling Souter in the Alloa goal. Alloa had a free-kick in a dangerous position on 8 minutes but wasted the opportunity with an effort which almost landed in the nearby Ochil Hills. Alloa were now relishing kicking down their sloping pitch and young Hamilton was giving Anderson the runaround on the right wing. It was from one of his jinking runs that Alloa scored their crucial open goal. After leaving Anderson for dead he crossed but the Queens defence failed to clear and in nipped
HUTCHISON unchallenged to tap the ball into an empty net. This reverse shocked the huge travelling support and spurned on by the sound of a drummer and a bagpipe player the Queens surged forward loooking for an equaliser. The Alloa back four however were taking no prisoners and Queens efforts were confined to long range efforts from outside the penalty area, with one good effort from Bowey going close. In 40 minutes the game in my opinion slipped away from Queens when Alloa scored a second. The goal had a touch of fortune as Little broke down the left flank,Connelly tackled him twice but failed to win the ball. The left winger eventually got in a cross and
CHRISTIE rose unmarked to head past Scott. This was a shocking goal to lose and just before half-time. The impression Queens fans had at half-time was that Queens were playing right into Alloas hands and we were being picked off at will by a more streetwise team.
Queens came out for the second half in a determined mood and surged forward and Lyle almost scored with a header but Soutar saved. Chances were being made but the ball just would not roll for us and Alloa were growing in confidence and were quite happy to soak up the pressure and hit us on the break. The killer third goal arrived in the 62nd minute when Anderson was again left for dead on the right and
HAMILTON headed in the resultant cross. The Queens heads now went down and in 63rd minute
SEATON cut in from the left and beat Scott with a grounder to put Alloa 4-0 up. Perhaps a slightly flattering scoreline but Queens had only themselves to blame for some poor defending. Weatherson was brought on in the latter stages to try and salvage something but by that time it was too late.
GRAY scored a consolation goal on 70 minutes
 | First goal for Queens, ...not celebrated |
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for Queens when he cut in from the right,beat a couple of defenders and beat Soutar at his near post but by that time the huge Queens support knew the writing was on the wall as Alloa played out time comfortably. This was a disppointing display by Queens against a good honest side which kept things tight and simple and exploited our defensive shortcomings to the full. We must now put this reverse behind us and regroup for the match with Hamilton where with home advantage we will have to bounce back if we are to win promotion.