Sunday 27th July 2009
On a beautiful Sunday afternoon Queen's Park 15s welcomed Rangers to Lesser Hampden for their first pre-season friendly. The boys had looked sharp in training, as they continued to train throughout the break, so understandably were looking forward to this game. The coaches stressed the need to start the game well and maintain good possession as Rangers would be sharp and alert.
Queen's started the game very brightly and had Rangers camped in their half. This pressure was rewarded with a goal when Craig Johnston ran down the left and swung in a great cross for Lawrence Shankland to bullet a header passed their keeper. Queen's continued their threat in front of goal by scoring a second with a good finish from Craig Johnston as the first period came to a close.
As the coaches had warned Rangers came out the second period looking for a quick goal. Rangers scored two goals in quick succession due to a combination of good play and slackness within our defence. Rangers continued to press however credit to the 15s as they coped well with this pressure.
The third period started with Queen's maintaining good possession which created some good opportunities. Craig Johnston showed courage by going into challenge with the Rangers goalkeeper and quickly getting up to slot into an empty net. Unfortunately for the 15s Rangers from the restart broke up the park unchallenged to score an equaliser much to the coaches’ dismay.
Credit to the players as both teams looked for the winner as play switched from one end to another. With minutes away from the final whistle again up popped Craig Johnston, showing his composure as he drilled in an unstoppable left footed strike to complete his first hat-rick of the season.
The Queen's Park coaches praised their player’s efforts and good play and were applauded for this as they left the park. Well done!!
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