Queens fell at the last hurdle in what can only be described as a stinker of a match played on a plastic surface which in my opinion does nothing to improve the game. The ball seemed to shoot and squirt all over the place with most of the action taking place in the air. According to some fans the only difference from previous surfaces is that it is laid on a bed of plastic granules similar to caviar. Ryan Dollard and his cameraman from Border TV came with us on the Travel Club bus and also mixed in with the fans for a pre-match drink at the Railway Club. Ryan was impressed by the size of the support and also the number of young supporters male and female. It's a pity that Queens and Hamilton did not put on a decent show for the cameras. The magnificent Queens support however made up for the poor fare on offer as they gave it the full welly with the drummer boy in support. There were a few unsavoury songs about Border TV and Carlisle United which Ryan and his cameraman took in good heart. As I said the game it self must rank as the worst I have seen in many a day with Queens perhaps unlucky to lose in the end. In the first half both teams struggled to achieve anything although Lyle did scrape the post. Hamilton obviously new how to play on the pitch and looked dangerous from set peices however the first half ended quietly with a goaless draw looking imminent.
Half-Time Hamilton 0 Queens 0
Queens looked more positive in the second half but chances were hard to come by. Carrigan should have put the home side one up but missed an open goal much to the relief of the away support who were giving their heroes every encouragement. Eric Paton burst through and cut in but his drive went just over. Burns then tried a lob but was unlucky when it landed on the top of the net. Bowey also had a great chance but his effort was blocked by the Hamilton keeper McEwan. The game was heading for a goaless draw when the referee awarded a strange free-kick to the Accies about 40 yards out. From the resultant kick the ball deflected off a Queens defender for Thomson to shoot into the corner of the net. The goal came almost on time as Queens had no time to counter attack and Hamilton ran out fortrunate but grateful winners. Over the peice Queens certainly did not deserve to lose but to be honest we were poor with Hamilton even poorer. As usuual our defence was rock solid but our midfield as usual failed to deliver with Mc Niven completely isolated at times. We need Brian Reid back as soon as possible allowing Gary Wood to add support up front. Scotty hasn't many choices in midfield and one hopes perhaps MacDonald can make a difference when he is fit. Anyway we live to fight another day and with Partick Thistle struggling who knows a victory next week over the Jags at Palmy is not out of the question.
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