Sunday 13th December 2009
The last fixture before the winter break Queen’s Park 15s met Alloa Athletic at Lesser Hampden for a 3.45pm ko. It was a bitterly cold afternoon and a heavy fog was making visibility a concern for the players and the coaches. This game had the potential to be a very good and competitive game as both teams previously drew 1-1 in an enthralling game.
Both teams started the game well but it was Queen’s that were causing a threat towards the Alloa goal, with a couple of shots drifting by.
Queen’s were awarded a free kick after Raymond Lynch showed good feet as he jinxed his way by an Alloa defender only to be caught by a trailing foot. Aiden Connelly whipped it into the back post for Brian Coyle to header goal bound that brought a good reflex parry that fell to the awaiting feet of Lawrence Shankland who struck it into the net.
The second period started with both teams trying to find an opening in front of goal. It was however Queen’s who scored again with a dangerous cross that an Alloa defender attempted to clear only for it to find the back of his net. Queen’s then proceeded to take the foot off the pedal and let Alloa steadily have more possession putting pressure on Queens’s goal. Slackness had crept into Queens’s play as there was no composure, no holding up the play or keeping simple possession. Alloa were rewarded for their play when Queen’s failed to deal with a cross into their box for their striker to slot home. With Alloa’s tails up a second followed immediately when Alloa were awarded a penalty and calmly slotted home. Thankfully for Queen’s the ref brought this period to a conclusion to enable them to regroup. Queen’s coaches identified that Alloa had changed their formation in the 2nd period to a 3-5-2 so took the initiative and risk to go 4-3-3 with Kyle Rafferty playing a pivotal role as the holding player to break up their play and with three strikers up top putting pressure on their back three, forcing Alloa to change their formation?
Queen’s came out determined and itching to get the 3rd period started. From the kick off the 15s upped the tempo and maintained good possession. Kyle, Lawrence and Aiden showed good discipline in the central area by breaking up Alloa’s play and creating attacking opportunities for the three strikers. A good through pass from Lawrence saw Craig Johnston time his run and show great composure to slot by their keeper. The 15s continued to work hard as a team to halt any attacking play that Queen’s back four dealt with. Craig Johnston’s pace and good movement was causing a threat to Alloa’s backline and it was Craig who drove into the penalty box to beat his opponent only to be brought down. Connor McGuiness coolly stepped up to convert his spot kick.
Queen’s coaches Gerry O’Kane and Andy Clark agreed "The last period saw us back at our best, as a team we showed good discipline and battling qualities causing a very competent Alloa team problems. We highlighted that although the last period was very pleasing we must strive to be more consistent for longer periods in a game, which we had demonstrated in matches until latterly. It was very pleasing to see Craig Johnston back on the park doing what he loves scoring goals for Queen’s Park. Myself, Andy and John would like to say a big thank you to all of the parents for all their support and wish you all a great wee festive period".
Below are some pictures from today's game
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