In an astonishing last ten minutes Queens were bundled out of the CIS cup after seemingly coasting to victory. Queens must be kicking themselves after squandering a hatful of chances with Mc Niven and Wood the main sinners. The atmosphere from the start was pretty flat with hardly a cheep out of the sparse 1240 crowd. In an uninspiring first half Queens were largely in control and went ahead throiugh a penalty by Mc Niven on 28 minutes after Bagan had been felled. Queens without looking convincing could have had a few more but Fahey in the Albion goal was in great form and had several good saves. The home faithful had every right to expect Queens to consolidate their lead in the second half.
Half Time 1-0
Queens opened up in great style and had the Rovers defence in all sorts of bother as they created and missed chance after chance but Fahey in the Coatbridge goal was having a stormer and made several great saves. Queens however should have been comfortably ahead and they looked quite solid at the back. As the game approached the last quarter of an hour Queens decided to substitute Bowey and Paton. Rovers sensed they could still get something from the game and started to throw men forward. Suddenly there was panic in the Queens rear ranks and Mercer hit a surprise equaliser on 83 minutes as Palmy held it's breath. Queens rearguard were now in complete disarray Mc Kenzie poked home the winner on 87 minutes. There was no way back for Queens and they slipped quietly out of the CIS cup and probably lost thousands of pounds into the bargain. I was talking to a couple of Albion Rovers directors after the game and in their opinion the substitution of Bowey and Paton turned the game and I tend to agree with them. It may be that both Bowey and Paton were carrying injuries - who knows. Queens will have to get this game out of their system quickly because Falkirk loom on Saturday and a repeat performance like last night will put the Bairns in easy street.
Queens Team:
Scott,Paton,Thomson,Hilland,English,Bagan,Mc Colligan,Bowey,McLaughlan,
Mc Niven,Wood.
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