Sunday 21st February 2010
Queen's Park welcomed Clyde F.C. for the late afternoon ko, 3.45pm, at Lesser Hampden. Queen's Parks went into today’s game minus the services of Kieran Tolland, Craig Marshall and Connor McGuiness due to injury but welcomed back Jonathon Brown who managed to shrug off a hamstring strain. Added to the squad were James Marr, Gregor Wylie and Khal Cullen pushed up from the U14s squad.
Queen’s coaches expressed the importance of a good start to the game with concentration essential throughout the 90mins as Clyde would be a threat.
Queen's started the as coaches had hoped by keeping possession but there was still indecision shown as the 15s dived in to challenges to the frustration of their coaches, however in flashes Queen's demonstrated good passing that was direct to strikers feet with good support given by both flanks.
Michael Stewart was seeing a lot of the ball on the left hand side and it was his pass inside to find "Lawsa" Shankland who lifted his head to play a weighted chip pass for Craig Johnston to run onto and finish by lobbing the oncoming Clyde keeper.
Craig Johnston then turned provider as his corner was touched onto the waiting Brian Coyle to find the net. Michael and Aiden Connolly were linking very well on the left hand side as Clyde struggled to cope with their movement and it was from this good link up play that saw Raymond Lynch open his tally since the winter close with a powerful strike.
Queen's lost Michael Stewart with an ankle knock and was replaced by Jonathon Brown. Johnny settled quickly and it was his pass played behind their defence for Raymond to double his tally with a cool finish.
Gregor Wylie came onto to make his debut for the15s and settled well in the left mid area, keeping good possession with good passing. Raymond now turned provider as he played an unselfish pass to Craig Johnston who instinctly shoot pass the diving keeper.
James Marr and Khal Cullen came onto for the final 30mins. Having 3 14s on the park didn’t unsettle Queen's play and again it was the 15s who continued to threaten Clyde’s goal, but on this occasion the Clyde keeper produced one of the best saves witnessed at Lesser with a finger tip save onto the bar from a rasping left foot volley from within the D from Craig Johnson showing excellent technique.....Great save!!!
Both Brian Coyle and Alex Grier put in a solid performance in the heart of defence and growing in confidence it was Alex who intercepted a pass to play a wonderful through pass for Craig Johnston to run onto and Craig rarely misses these and not to disappoint picked his spot by the helpless Clyde Keeper.
Queen's coaches commented "Again our forward play was fantastic today and has rightly so taken a lot of the plaudits lately but the most pleasing aspect of this performance was a clean sheet and our defence especially deserve the credit for this with Alex and Brian solid in centre of defence and Mikey, David, James and Johnny shutting off their attacks down the flanks and we can’t forget keepers Ritchie and Cammy.
It’s also very rewarding to again have players from our 14s squad up and having 3 on the park at the same time is great so well done Khal, James and Gregor".
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