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Match Report

League, 12/9/98

Inverness 3 v 2 Q.O.S.

Attendance - 1,912

Labours campaign slogan was "Things can only get better" and on today's evidence that seems to apply to Queens as well. Despite failing to get that first league win we so desperately need it seems a lot closer than before.

Queens were forced into a few changes in the squad with Love, Leslie and Lilley all unavailable. Aitken, Townsley and James McLeod all coming into the starting line up, McLeod and Aitken slotting into the full back roles, with Townsley playing in midfield with Rowe and Potts. The other change from last week was the re-appearance of Mallen up front and it was Stevie who looked the most dangerous. Whatever the reason he looked sharp and lively and caused the Caley defence problems all through the game.

Both sides attacked right from the off and straight away Queens showed a definite improvement in the passing and movement going forward. However, it was Caley who made most of the pressure, forcing a series of corners, all of which gave the Queens defence problems. Ironically then, that Queens should take the lead from a corner after 21 minutes. Doig got in a great header from six yards out which Calder in the Inverness goal saved superbly, but the ball dropped to George Rowe who made no mistake from close range. The rest of the half saw Queens continue to create chances, with good midfield play especially linking with Mallen who held the ball up superbly, although Caley always looked dangerous from the long ball forward and crosses from the wing and David Mathieson made several good saves to deny Inverness.

A first league win looked a distinct possibility as we took our half time refreshments (the tea was disgusting by the way) and all the talk was of Mallens' fine performance. How quickly things can change, within two minutes of the restart Caley had scored twice and an all too familiar conclusion was staring us in the face. Caleys first goal came from Sheerin a minute into the half and it was followed a minute later by a fine strike from McLean from about 25 yards. The fact that McLean was allowed to run in from the wing with the ball, past three defenders who all decided a tackle was not necessary before shooting may just have helped. The main culprit was Doig who tracked McLean for about 5 yards across the pitch practically inviting him to shoot, which he did giving Mathieson no chance.

Doig was again at fault, along with the rest of the defence, for Caleys third. A poor goal kick from Mathieson was headed back towards goal and as the Queens defence stood and watched Wilson nipped in and stroked the ball into the corner of the net, again leaving Mathieson no chance. Nearly seventy minutes gone and Queens dead and buried.

Inverness could have gone on to score more, hitting the wood work three times during the game, and Queens can count themselves lucky to only have conceded three, especially as the heads went down after the third and frankly were never in the game after that.

Late hope of a point came when Mallen got a thoroughly deserved goal five minutes from time, a fine strike from a goal over the top, which flew into the net, but it was never enough.

Consolation for Queens fans can be taken from the fact that compared to Caley, Queens did not look like a team that should be at the other end of the league table. I've said it before, Inverness are not a great team, but they will be up there with Partick come the end of the season. The big question is will Queens? More performances going forward like this and a bit of bite in the midfield and defence and who knows? One thing is for sure, the first win is not far away, and when it comes it might just come in some style.

AC

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