SPARKLING QUEENS THUMP DULL DIAMONDS
Last updated : 18 February 2007 By Duke of Galloway
Queens produced their best display of the season to overcome a spirited Airdrie side in a tough entertaining relegation battle at the Excelsior Stadium. However there was concern afterwards amongst the ecstatic 700 odd Queens fans about the fate of Stevie Tosh who was the victim of an atrocious tackle which may put the big man out for the rest of the season.
Queens cheered on by a tremendous travelling support took a firm grip of the game from the start,doninating the midfield and with O'Connor and Dobbie forcing play,the Airdrie rearguard were under tremendous pressure. It was no surprise that Queens took the lead on 9 minutes when O'Connor was felled in the box by McGowan and a penalty was awarded which Dobbie the Goal Machine crashed home to the delight of the Palmy faithful. Queens went for the jugular but there was still work to be done as Airdrie tried to force themselves back into the game.
The Queens defence for once looked quite compact and MacDonald was given a relatively easy time. Chances were starting to flow up front and the Airdrie keeper was definatelythe busier. Queens went two up on 32 minutes with a rather strange goal when a speculative shot by Dobbie took a slight deflection off an Airdrie defender and landed in the corner of the net to send the away support into Blue Heaven as they ran through their extensive repertoire of Football songs. Airdrie and their support seemed shell-shocked but they could do nothing about it as Queens continued to dominate with Scally,Tosh and Adams the main men in midfield.
Queens started where they left off in the second half as Murray started to run the Airdrie rearguard ragged. Chance after chance fell to the eager Queens forwards but the home keeper Robertson saved his side time and again. Airdrie's frustration began to tell when McGowan seemed to lunge with both is feet at Tosh who tried to pull out at the last minute. The referee who was well up with play gave the Airdrie defender a straight red card much to the rage of the home bench who had to be calmed down by the officials. Tosh lay on the ground for several minutes before getting on his feet to try and run off the injury without success and eventually had to leave the field. This incident enraged the Queens fans and they roared the team on for more goals. Gibson was now running riot and from one of his crosses the impressive O'Connor headed Queens 3-0 up on 64 minute amid scenes of pure joy in the away stand. The game was now over as a contest and Queens could have had a few more towards the end with Dobbie the main culprit missing an absolute sitter.
Not to worry though as Queens ran out comfortable winner with the best display I've seen from them in a long while. The team is now starting to gel and I didn't spot a failure with even the defence showed some composure for a change. Although Tosh was at the wrong end of a bad tackle the game was not a dirty one however if we lose the Big Man for the rest of the season it will be blow to Ian McCall and the team.
This sets us up nicely for next week's cup-tie against Hibs and with Dobbie and O'Connor in this mood we may surprise the men from Leith.
Travel Club Man of the Match - Stephen Dobbie
Dobbie puts Queens ahead from the spot
Sean O'Connor takes on the Airdrie defence
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