Sun 12 Nov 2017
IRN-BRU Cup

The New Saints

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Queens

 IT was heartbreak for the Doonhamers as they were defeated 4-3 on penalty kicks by Welsh Champions The New Saints in the Scottish Irn-Bru Cup Quarter-Final.

After a competitive 120 mintues of football the game ended in a goalless stalemate and a semi-final spot would be decided by penalty kicks. Amazingly the first four spot-kicks were missed, Queens` Derek Lyle and Stephen Dobbie failing to net. The tie was decided when Andy Stirling`s attempt was brilliantly saved by man of the moment Paul Harrison.

A sizeable travelling support desended Park Hall for the quarter-final match, which was dubbed Blue Sunday. Many stayed the night at Oswestry and club representives presented a wreath at Oswestry War Memorial for the local Remembrance Sunday service.

Minutes silence at Park Hall

Queens made two changes to their starting eleven. Callum Tapping started as captain John Rankin wasn`t in the matchday squad. Shaun Rooney regained his place in the team, slotting in at right-back, due to on-loan St Johnstone defender Jason Kerr`s involvement with Scotland Under 21`s.

Opponents TNS had already defeated Elgin City and Livingston at their home patch to reach the quarter-finals whilst the Doonhamers beat Airdrieonians, Berwick Rangers and Montrose to reach the last eight.

The hosts had the upperhand in the early stages and Jamie Mullen cracked the bar with their first shot of the match. Queens were still trying to get a foothold into the match and were thanking the assistant referee when the flag was raised to deny TNS striker Greg Draper`s tap-in from close range.

The visitors were next to attack through James McFadden. The former Everton man chipped goalkeeper Harrison from 20 yards but saw his effort crash off the bar.

McFadden in top form

The New Saints were in control of the first and if a first goal was to be scored many would assume it would be the Welsh champions who would get it. A dangerous ball from Ryan Brobbel on the half hour mark evaded his teammates.

Queens didn`t get out of first gear as they tried to adapt to TNS` attacking tactics, with both full back pushing forward to support. This meant wingers Connor Murray and McFadden had to pull back to help their wing-backs.

On 41 minutes McFadden whizzed a long range effort over the bar and the sides went into the break level.

HALF TIME TNS 0-0 QOS

Queens returned to the pitch a different side and started to take the game to their hosts. Again McFadden tried to break the deadlock but his curling effort flew inches wide of goal. Two minutes later McFadden, who was causing TNS defenders plenty of problems, threaded an intellgent ball through to Rooney but the rightbacks fierce delivery into the box couldn`t find a blue shirt.

TNS broke forward on 64 minutes but striker Draper ballooned over a great opportunity to take the lead. Despite that chance Queens were looked the most likely and were denied once more when Rooney`s header was knocked out for a corner. 

Rooney heads for goal

But Holland clears the danger

 

With time running out the visitors kept pushing forward as Murray`s volley was comfortably collected by the keeper. A minute later Rooney attacked the goal and hit a powerful effort that just flew over the bar. This was to be the rightbacks last action on the pitch and was replaced by Scott Mercer. With eight minutes remaining Andy Stirling replaced Murray.

Queens huffed and puffed but couldn`t find the breakthrough and referee Raymond Crangle blew the whistle to take the match to extra-time.

FULL TIME TNS 0-0 QOS

The majoirty of the 808 in the crowd thought their side would take the lead finally when Dobbie broke forward and was left one-on-one with Harrison. The former Blackpool forward but his placed effort spun wide of the post to the amazement of everyone in Park Hall.

Dobbie beats Harrison and the post

 

Queens made their third change of the afternoon as Derek Lyle replaced Callum Tapping. With an extra body up front Queens continued to pepper the TNS goalmouth. Dobbie`s shot was parried by Harrison and as Lyle looked to pounce on the mistake the keeper had to punch the ball out for another corner kick. 

HALF TIME EXTRA TIME TNS 0-0 QOS

Sub Stirling threaded in McFadden on 106 minutes but the wideman dragged his shot wide of the post. Three minutes later Dobbie`s effort was palmed wide by Harrison. Queens continued to look for the goal that would`ve surely sent them through but Kyle Jacobs` header was held by the goalkeeper.

Penalty claim of the Stonewall variety

Queens made their fourth change, as the game went to extra time, Chris Kane replacing Lyndon Dykes. The sub would have the last chance in open play but his header from six yards flew wide.

FULL TIME TNS 0-0 QOS

TNS` Mullen was the first man to step up but saw his spot-kick saved by Martin. Lyle was next to take but he suffered the same fate as Mullen as Harrison guessed correctly. Amazingly Brobbel skied his spot-kick. Dobbie was next to step up but his penalty was screwed wide of the right-hand post.

TNS finally got the penalty shootout up and running when Chris Seargeant sent Martin the wrong way. Jacobs levelled up for the visitors with a fine penalty. Darlington made no mistake to make it 2-1 and was followed by McFadden who equalled the scoreline.

Fletcher`s penalty was nearly saved by Martin but squeezed into the bottom corner. Callum Fordyce powered his effort in to make it 3-3. 

TNS goalkeeper Harrison was next to take and he fired his spot kick past his opposing number to once again give the Welsh outfit the lead. The goalkeeper would turn out to be a double hero as he made a superb save to deny Stirling`s strike and send TNS through to the semi-finals for the second straight year.

Goalkeeping hero for TNS Paul Harrison wins the game for the Welsh champions

It wasn`t the result anybody from north of the border had wanted as Queens fell to their third penalty shootout defeat this season. Despite the result all supporters had a fantastic trip and made new friends south of the border. It was a weekend most won`t forget in a hurry but it`s back to north of the border as Queens take on the last team they beat in cup competition, Montrose.

The Scottish Cup game is held at Links Park with a 3pm kick-off.

Sweet Caroline

High spirits

 

 

 

  • 0
    Martin
  • 0
    Rooney
  • 0
    Fordyce
  • 0
    Brownlie
  • 0
    Marshall
  • 0
    Murray
    (Sub1)
  • 0
    Tapping
    (Sub2)
  • 0
    Jacobs
  • 0
    McFadden
  • 0
    Dobbie
  • 0
    Dykes
    (Sub3)

Subs

1
Leighfield
1
Stirling
Sub1-85
1
Lyle
Sub2-97
1
Kane
Sub3-114
1
Fergusson
1
Akubuine
1
Mercer
 
For Real Time Updates Go To Our Updates Page
13:57 Qos Team : 1.Martin 2.Rooney 3.Marshall 4.Fordyce 5.Brownlie 6.Tapping 11.Dobbie 14.Jacobs 16.McFadden 17.Murray 25.Dykes
13:57 Qos Subs : 7.Stirling 9.Lyle 10.Kane 18.Fergusson 20.Leighfield 22.Akubuine 24.Mercer
13:58 TNS; Harrison, Spender, Marriott, Rawlinson, Routledge, Brobbell, Draper, Mullan, Leak, Holland, Edwards
13:59 TNS subs; Seargeant, Fletcher, Parry, Jones, Roberts, Darlington.
14:43 The teams are out and we`re only moments from kick-off.
0 min THE GAME KICKS OFF
3 min Mullan`s effort cracks the crossbar. Big let off for Queens.
4 min McFadden`s cross-come-shot is punched away by the keeper. Jacobs` shot is saved by Harrison.
8 min Draper closes down on Martin clearance.
10 min Mullan`s cross into the box can`t find any TNS players.
11 min Drapers taps in but the assistant has his flag up. Another let off for Queens.
18 min McFadden chips a delightful shot from 20-yards over the keepers` head but cracks the bar.
25 min Rawlinson`s header is collected by Martin.
28 min Draper`s shot is comfortably saved by Martin.
30 min The New Saints well on top here Brobbel`s delivery into the box evades his teammates still 0-0.
41 min McFadden fires over long range effort.
44 min McFadden`s delivery is knocked out for a corner.
Half Time HALF TIME - TNS 0:0 QOS
45 min SECOND HALF UNDERWAY
49 min Martin comfortably saves Rouytledge`s shot
50 min TNS continue to pressure QUeens and win a corner.
51 min Edwards heads over from the corner kick. Still 0-0 here.
52 min McFadden curls his effort inches wide of the post.
54 min McFadden brilliantly plays in Rooney his dangerous delivery into the box is knocked out for a corner.
64 min Draper balloons over a great opportunity for the hosts. Still 0-0.
70 min Rooney`s header is deflected out for a corner.
75 min Murray`s volley is comfortably collected by Harrison.
76 min Rooney hits a fierce long range effort over the bar.
76 min Substitution : Mercer on for Rooney
77 min Substitution : Mercer on for Rooney
79 min Yellow Card : Rawlinson
79 min Dobbie is fouled on the right. McFadden to take.
82 min Mullan`s shot from the left is saved.
84 min Substitution : Stirling on for Murray
86 min Attendance today is 808.
87 min Queens put pressure on winning a corner but Jacobs` header is saved by Harrison.
90+1 min McFadden`s delivery from the right is cleared but only as far as McFadden but his cross flies over the bar.
90+3 min Yellow Card : Fletcher
16:38 END OF 90 MINUTES - TNS 0:0 QOS
90 min KICK OFF - Extra Time
91 min Edwards heads wide from the six-yard box
95 min Dykes fires wide.
96 min The ball breaks to Dobbie and but his placed shot spins wide of the post.
97 min Substitution : Lyle on for Tapping
100 min Dobbie`s shot is saved by the keeper and he has to punch the ball out for a corner after Lyle put pressure on.
Half Time in Extra Time HALF TIME ET - TNS 0:0 QOS
105 min SECOND HALF - Extra Time
105 min Spender`s shot flies wide.
106 min Stirling threads in McFadden but drags his shot wide.
108 min Queens turning the pressure on here, corner kick to the Doonhamers.
109 min Dobbie`s shot is palmed away to Harrison.
111 min Dobbie plays in Jacobs but his effort is punched away by the keeper.
111 min Substitution : Kane on for Dykes
116 min Brobbel balloons a shot over the bar.
118 min TNS win a late corner.
120 min Kane`s header flies past the post. Penalty kicks looming.
SHOOTOUT MATCH GOES TO PENALTIES. - TNS 0:0 QOS
SHOOTOUT Mullan to take the first penalty
SHOOTOUT Saved by Martin.
SHOOTOUT Lyle has his penalty saved.
SHOOTOUT Brobbel fires his penalty over the bar. Still 0-0
SHOOTOUT I don`t believe this. Dobbie`s penalty goes wide. Four pens and still 0-0
SHOOTOUT Seargeant makes it 1-0 TNS.
SHOOTOUT Jacobs makes it 1-1.
SHOOTOUT Darlington makes it 2-1 TNS
SHOOTOUT McFadden makes no mistake 2-2.
SHOOTOUT Fletcher makes it 3-2.
SHOOTOUT Fordyce 3-3 cmon.
SHOOTOUT Harrison the goalkeeper 4-3.
SHOOTOUT Stirling misses, TNS go through.