Sunday 7th February 2010
Coming off the back of a positive display against one half of the 'auld firm', the 14s squad today looked to show our other local rival's the talent on show, at home in the shadow of Hampden Park.
With plenty of training sessions to go before Youth Initiative duty recommences, the coaching staff have been pleased to see that fitness and sharpness levels are high at this early stage, providing us with a strong base level to work from. Today would be a test and would help identify the areas of play which need work.
Up against a technically tidy, exceptionally talented and adventurous Ranger's team Queen's began the game strongly with a good tempo to their play. Importantly, the Queen's players possess the ability to distribute and also retain the ball at pace allowing them to build attacking opportunities from inside the opponent's half once they have strength in numbers.
This was the case again with the early pressure providing the opening goal through a right foot finish, low into the corner of the net from the inspirational Fabio Capuano, setting Queen's up for what looked to be a promising 90 minutes.
The first period brought no more goals, although the applause given to both sides at the interval from the spectators, was no less than every player deserved for their showing up to that point.
Following on from a steady first period performance Queen's found themselves behind. Rangers had started to create more clear cut opportunities with Grant Nielson digging his team mates out of trouble at times with a couple of strong saves.
As the game progressed, although working and controlling possession for long spells, the boys were at times making things difficult for themselves. Lapses in concentration and poor communication lead to goal scoring chances which were to be pounced upon, at times in fairness against the run of play.
Always hard to take, though not totally unexpected as the boys look to regain match sharpness, essential therefore to rally round your team-mates and push to re-focus individually and as a unit to try and re-impose ourselves on the flow of the game.
Final 30 minutes to play and sent out for the final period instructed to ensure that Queen's come off the park having done themselves and the club proud, a positive reaction was required.
To their credit the boy's undoubtedly delivered. New signing Khal Cullen added another cool finish to add to his impressive, early goal to game ratio.
The back 5 looked to build from deep where possible attempting to not gift possession. The midfield showed grit and determination off the ball, while being brave on it- taking it under pressure and looking to play positively at every opportunity, never hiding from play or shirking a challenge. Exceptional work rate and penetration was also provided on both flanks, with the strikers looking threatening throughout whilst forcing Rangers to play a more direct game than they may have wished to.
Positives today- some of the the combination play, controlled possession and passages of play from back to front, right to left etc. on show provide real optimism for the months to come and once the final touches are added we will be rewarded with goals for our workrate and adventurous play.
The Queen's coaches commented after the game ''If we were up to full match sharpness, undoubtedly we would've added to our goal tally and been more disciplined in terms of our shape today. The boys look to be enjoying training and matches and are gelling well. There's room for improvement which is what we're all here for. At this stage of the season we take the many positives and build on them.''
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