QUEENS SLITHER TO NEW YEARS DAY DEFEAT
Last updated : 04 January 2005 By Duke Of Galloway
It was a dismal New Years Day for Queens as their firstfooters Hamilton performed a classic smash and grab act on a quagmire of a pitch. Queens had only themselves to blame for this one as they slithered to defeat against a team just below them in the league. The driving rain somehow abated just before kick-off and there was a minutes silence in memory of the tragic events in Asia. The game eventually kicked off in front of a disappointing crowd on a pitch that was barely playable. Both teams were having trouble getting to grips with the conditions with Queens at least trying to play some football. As usual Bowey was amongst everything with Gibson showing some magic on the left. There was no goalmouth incident worthy of mention until a tragic double error by the Queens defence gifted Hamilton the opening goal on 32 minutes. Bagan misplaced a pass which Craig managed to retreive only for himself to give the ball away to Corcoran who curled a lovely shot past the astonished Scott. Palmerston was stunned but minutes later Queens almost went 2-0 down as Corcoran again beat Scott but time the post saved Queens. Queens tried hard to eqalise with Bowey driving them on but their attempts in front of goal were simply woeful. As the mud splattered teams came off at the interval there was little applause from the small crowd.Half-Time Queens 0 Hamilton 1
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Hasty repairs to the
Palmy turf by our
galliant groundstaff |
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ueens started off in a positive mood and put the Hamilton goal under tremendous pressure but as so often happens when a team is pushing up the oppostion take advantage by breaking away and scoring. A long ball was hoisted up field which McLeod picked up and with Thomson breathing down his kneck he managed to squeeze a shot past Scott at his near post on 48 minutes. Queens fans could hardly beleive it as the goal was entirely against the run of play. Queens stormed back however and with ten men back Hamilton were put under some tremendous pressure. Gibson charged through after beating two men but was brought down for the umpteenth time and the referee correctly awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. This was Eric Paton territory and the talented right back obliged by blasting the ball in the net to bring Queens back into the game on 54 minutes. It was now game on as Queens stormed the Hamilton goal but the pitch was at this stage cutting up badly and controlled football was impossible. McNiven and Wood were thrown on and it was every man to the pumps in the Hamilton defence. Despite many near things is was not Queens day and Accies eventually held out to earn three valuable points. This was a desperately disappointing result for Queens and manager Scott was devastated after the game as he thought we were by far the better team. Once again lack of punch in front of goal led to our downfall and something will have to be done soon or we will be watching Division 2 football next season. We head for Montrose on Cup duty next week and if ever there was a banana skin situation then this is it. Jim McCormick of the Travel Club is bracing himself for a host of cancellations for the coach to Angus next Saturday.
A quick note here about the Queens groundsmen Kevin and Don on their galliant efforts at making the pitch playable in the most appalling weather. Well done chaps !
Queens and Accies battle it out on a tricky surface
| The Accies defence fend off another Queens attack |
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