O.F.T.R.L Queens Park -AWAY 14Th March 2010

[lethamsaintee]

Aye, well played all.

Another hard fought game that could have went either way, but thankfully we weathered the storm a wee bit and in the second half were the better side, deserving the win.

[THE LARK SAINT]

How they saw it......................!Following a couple of decent performances and wins (!!) in recent weeks, Queen’s welcomed old friends Ormond Saints to Holyrood Sports Centre for the 5th meeting between the sides this season.

Following last week’s excellent challenge match versus Dulwich Hamlet at Lesser Hampden, the squad was down to a more reasonable level for this one with 16 fit (!) and able (!) players turning up to take part. Martin was back in goals with a defence of David Mc, Jack, Big Calum and Wee Al in front of him. The midfield four was made up of Adam, Ally Mc, Stuart and Craig, and despite injuries to Andyboy and Long Haired David, Mr. C was able to name a semi decent frontline of Ally Dick and Paul.

Saints started the brighter side and their quick forwards were causing a few problems for the Queen’s defence. Their number 10 raced on to a through ball early on and fired a shot just wide of Kelly’s right hand post. We had our own first chance soon after, Adam sprinting up the left wing and curling a shot just beyond the far corner after impressively beating the full back.

Saints threatened again, with a long range shot cannoning back off Martin’s bar and to safety but it was Queen’s who took the lead. Craig danced past a couple of defenders on the edge of the penalty area and his snapshot from 18 yards beat the Ormond’s goalkeeper all ends up. Saintees almost leveled when a smart lob almost caught Martin unawares but it was QP who notched the next goal.

A brilliant corner from Ally McNaught was missed by both Jack and Calum at the near post, but Paul arrived on cue in the middle of the goals to send a header flying into the net. Saints almost instantly pegged us back however; Gav McDonald slamming home a cross range shot after a long throw in had caused mayhem in the Queen’s box. Martin got a touch on its way through but the power behind the shot took it in.

We should have extended our lead before the break. Ally Dick hit the post from close range before Craig hit the same piece of metal with an excellent drive from range. Adam forced a great save from the keeper with an angled drive from distance before Paul missed a great chance when sent in on goal by an excellent ball from Ally Mc. Despite the pressure, it was only 2-1 at half time.

QP made a few changes at half time, with new boy Sean, Robert, Marrzo, CC and Andy Dick all coming on. Two of the subs almost combined for an excellent goal early on but Sean’s long range dig from Colquhoun’s terrific lay off flew wide. With the wind at their backs in the second half, Saints began to exert more pressure and they got the equalizer they deserved soon after. A wicked low cross from the winger found their number 10 unmarked in the box and he slammed a high shot past a helpless Martin. Paul squandered a good chance when sent through by CC not long after but our forays up the park were more and more rare and we were beginning to be pegged back.

Martin made a couple of stunning stops to keep us level before Jack almost gave us the lead against the run of play. He towered to meet an excellent Colquhoun corner, but his header skimmed the crossbar on the way over. This was really our last chance and Saints took the lead with eight minutes to go. A through ball left our defenders flat footed and the Ormond’s forward lifted the ball over Martin and into the net. As we piled players forward towards the end even bigger gaps were being left at the back and Saints rounded off the scoring in the final minute.