QUEENS HELD BY THE HONEST MEN

Last updated : 03 January 2003 By Duke Of Galloway

A typical local derby played at a terrific pace but ending with a disappointing result for the Queens who dominated the last quarter and had numerous chances to wrap up the game. Ayr kicked off in front of a large festive crowd approaching 3,000 and soon had Queens under the cosh. They might have been two up within 5 minutes as Queens took time to settle. The woodwork was struck on at least one occasion as the young Ayr side threatened to run riot. The old heads of Anderson.Thomson and Goram did not panic however and weathered the storm. Ayr seemed to have control in midfield but Queens were more direct and were making the better chances however as half-time approached the game became a stalemate. Lyle took a bad knock and was replaced with Weatherson moving up alongside Shields. Shortly before half-time Weatherson had a tremendous run which nearly produced a goal but the Ayr goal somehow survived. There had been very little to shout about in a disappointing first half and as the teams trooped off the fans were expecting a lot better in the second period.

Queens Survive early Ayr Pressure

Half-time Queens 0 Ayr United 0

Queens kicked off in a more postive note and surged forward. Bowey was more active in midfield as the doodnhamers laid seige on the Ayr goal. In 62 minutes Queens deservedly took the lead with a brilliant individualist goal by Weatherson. He cut in from the left after beating a defender and from just inside the box crashed a tremendous shot into the net past a bemused Ayr keeper. Palmerston erupted and Queens went after the jugular. Bowey had a tremendous chance shortly afterwards to put Queens two up but the Ayr keeper saved. On 69 minutes Ayr scored an equaliser completely against the run of play. There seemed no danger as a high cross came over which Aiken seemed to have covered. However Kean stole in and headed cleanly past Goram. Palmerston was shocked but Queens still came forward and had numerous chances to kill off Ayr. O'Neill shot straight at the Ayr keeper when it seemed easier to score and Bowey shot past with Weatherson standing at the far post completely unmarked for a tap in. Although we didn't lose the Palmy faithful will be bitterly disappointed with this result as the game was there for the taking. Once again our old failing in front of goal proved to be our downfall.
There were some postives to take from the match with Anderson giving the defence back some stability and Mc Laughlan once again put in a tremendous shift. In fact two tremendous crosses from the wee man should have produced goals. Lyle apparantly took a bad knock and was taken to hospital so we wish him well. With O'Connor also injured we are a bit thin on the ground for strikers against Inverness on Saturday.

Large festive crowd huddle in the gathering gloom