Queen of the South

Tom Gordon (GK), Rob Clark, Ally Rankine, Keith Brown, Robert McAuley, Peter Heath and Neil McQuiston

There were 10 teams competing of varying ages and experience levels including Queen of the South variously aged between 60 and 74.

The fixtures were set over two groups of 5 teams – Group 1 the strongest and generally younger sides with Group 2 including some new faces

Queens were drawn in Group 1 with Carlisle Blues, Workington St Joseph’s Reds, Workington St Joseph’s Blues and Gretna.  Workington Reds and Gretna are generally the strongest teams within the Cumberland competitions with Workington Blues only marginally behind and all three have recently fared slightly better than Queens.

The first game of the day was against the Holders, Workington St Joseph’s Reds and they were as expected a good side.   They played very well and took the lead in the first half.  Just before half time Queens hit them on the break and Robert McAuley finished well to draw level at 1-1.   The second half was a pretty even contest however a break again on the right side saw the ball drop to Neil McQuiston who picked his spot to put Queens ahead.   Queens now in control of the match held out to the final whistle to win the tie 2 – 1.

Next up was Workington Blues and this was a slightly more physical tussle however with Queens initially on top and having at least 6 or 7 very decent opportunities in front of the Workington goal;  the normally  lethal pairing of Robert McAuley and Peter Heath just couldn’t get the ball over the line.   As the game progressed a break by Workington led to a defensive mistake which allowed Workington their one opportunity to score.  Having control of the game now Workington managed to take the sting out of the game and hold the ball well.  Time just ran out for Queens meaning Workington won the contest 1 – 0.

Next up was a strong Carlisle Blues team which was another competitive tussle.  The game was pretty even but on one occasion when Carlisle broke through it took an intervention from our 70+ Ally Rankine to stop them in their tracks.   There was a bit of initial drama which led to only a free-kick being awarded on the edge of the box which the Queens defence dealt with.  It was a end to end and even contest until just before the final whistle when Neil McQuiston stepped onto a bell on the left side of goal and whipped it high into the Carlisle net.   The game finished 1 – 0 to Queens.

The final game was a further tough encounter with Gretna, who were easily the best team we played on the day.   They were all over us at times but the Queens lads stuck to the task and thwarted the many opportunities that they created.   The game almost turned in our favour when a Peter Heath broke through on the Gretna goal and was cynically fouled to avoid the inevitable strike on goal.  A penalty was awarded and up stepped Rob Clark to fire the ball hard to the Gretna Keeper’s left.  Although he had dived to his left, somehow he managed to make contact with the ball with his legs and divert it out for a corner.   The game finished with significant pressure on the Queens goal but the team held out to finish the game without either team conceding.

The day finished with 2 x wins, 1 x draw and one very unfortunate defeat.