Queens started the match playing in their now usual 4-4-2 system with a couple changes from Tuesday nights 6-5 win over Morton. Changes included Derek Anderson starting at left-back in place of Paddy Atkinson who moved over to Right-midfield with Graham Connell dropping to the bench. The other change was Gordon Connelly moving to the bench with Stuart Davidson coming into centre midfield.
Queens started the more lively today and had most of the territory and possession for the first 10 minutes. The first chance for Queens came after around 9 minutes when Derek Lyle was put through by Weatherson and looked to have lobbed the Edinbugh taxi-driver but Smith tipped impressively over the bar. Steve Bowey had started where he'd left off on Tuesday and was picking up lots of lose ball that was coming out of the Bankies' penalty box which meant it was dissapointing to see him coming off after 10 minutes with a calf-injury. He was replaced by Graham 'Car wash' Connell.
Lyle and Weatherson were once again linking well and reading each other's game creating numerous openings. Lyle especially was causing Fabien Bossy trouble with his pace, control and aerial ability. Breaking down the left on most occassions, he managed to put in sevral decent balls which everyone seemed to leave.
Clydebank had been dominated at their own patch so far so there was no surprise when they began to control the possession and pace of the game for the next 15 minutes. Paul Shields had the best effert of note when he sent a fizzing shot from the edge of the box into the top corner, only for Colin Scott to punch strongly away. Queens fans were kept on the edge of their seats as ball after ball went into the box as the Bankies began to stroke the ball confidently around the park. The Highly rated Eric Paton went on a tremendous run down the right beating several players before running into the box to be met by a last-ditch tackle by Jim Thomson which certainly saved a goal.
After 32 minutes Clydebank made a substitution, Paul Burke came on for the injured Joe Miller. This would have brought a sigh of relief for Andy and Jim as the small No.11 was casuing problems with his mazy runs.
However, despite this period of pressure Queens were first to strike when a ball was swung in from the right-hand side and then flicked on to Weatherson at the back-left of the box. With a little time on his hands the Queens fans were begging for him to pull the trigger but instead he controled the ball took it past a Bankies defender before unleasing a low stinging shot which squeezed into the bottom corner. It must be siad that Henry Smith did well to get a touch but was never going to be able to stop it.
Davidson was booked by Ian Fyfe near the end of the half after he failed to retreat 10 yards. This was smart play by Stuart as at that time Queens were outnumbered at the back while many Clydebank players were pushing up.
HALF-TIME 1-0
Graham Connell might have doubled the Doonhamers lead at the start of the second half when the ball was put straight in his path from around 6 yrds out but he skyed over the bar. This was by no means a clear cut chance and credit must go to the Clydebank defender who did just enough to put Connell off.
Two substitutions were then made:
Clydebank: Darren Jackson on for Paul Shields
Queen of the South: John O'Neill for Stuart Davidson
Queens almost scored again when from a corner Joe McAlpine was lurking 25 yrds out. Instead of controling the ball, Joe went on the volley and hit it perfectly, only for Smith to make an acrobatic save. Coincidently, Joe will not strike a ball better than that all season!
Rab McKinnon should certainly have been booked he seemed to obstruct Peter Weatherson then bundle him to the ground when though on goal. The ref played a short advantage and Jonjo O'Neill was surging forward but Mr Fyfe called the game back. After lots of swearing at both the ref and Mckinnon no card was shown to the amazement of the home fans.
That was as good as it got for Queens in the second half as Clydebank had the lions share of possession and territory in trying to find an equaliser. For the last 25 minutes the South's box was peppered with shots, free-kicks and crossess and it looked as if eventually Queens's defence would capitulate under the strain. Several balls went flying across the 6 yrd line and Paul Burke was a danger with his sharp twists in the box.
However, despite this the Queens' defence managed to hold-out until full-time giving them a vital win towards promotion to Division 1. In summary, Clydebank had almost all the possession in the seconf half and will be dissapointed that they did not get a point. However, this was in total contrast to the first half where Queens deserved to be in the lead. The Bankies were very disspaointing in front of goal and seemed to lack an sort of penetration despite al the ball they had.
Russj's Man-of-the-match: To be honest absolutely every Queens player did their bit today in contributing to this win. In my opinion though it would have to have been one of the back four as they held the side together with some top-class defending. Overall, i thought Jim Thomson was worthy winner, just ahead of Andy Aitken. Jim made goal-saving tackle in the first half and was in sparkling form in the air too.