S Moore, N. Cochrane, N. McGerrian, D. Noonan, N. Finlay, A. Moore, J. Whitten, L. Cullen, A. Nesbitt, J. McSorley, D. Montgomery
Subs: R. Nesbitt, G. Cusack, M. O’Neill
On a beautiful bright sunny autumn day Queen’s fielded an unchanged team with Matt McManus on the bench following suspension..
An entertaining first 45 minutes surprisingly finished scoreless given the number of good opportunities created by both teams. Queen’s Paul Prenter’s header against the post from a corner was the closest thing to a goal. Armagh keeper Sean Moore made two great saves, first beating away Paddy Donnelly’s fierce drive and then diving low to his left to palm away Tony Tumelty’s shot following great build up play by James Lavery and Paddy Donnelly.
At the other end Armagh winger John Whitten whipped over a long cross to the unmarked Adam Nesbitt who headed a great chance wide of the near post. Queen’s upped the tempo at the start of the second half and Moore again saved, this time from a fine volley by Lavery. On the hour, it was Lavery who made the break through, wriggling past the Armagh defence on the edge of the box before firing the ball high into the net.
It looked like Queen’s would go on to a comfortable victory but it was not to be. They were pushed further and further back by a resurgent Armagh who dominated the last half hour even after Whitten and John Montgomery were sent off. Armagh couldn’t manage a goal as Queen’s held on, in large measure, thanks to an outstanding performance by central defender Stuart Harper. The win is very welcome as always but it has to be said that our performance in the last half hour was very poor. Coagh’s defeat means that we are now top of the league. Can we stay there? Next challenge is away to Wakehurst next Saturday.
Teams: -
Queen's:
G. Duff, D. Tumilty, S. Harper, Paul Prenter, Phil Prenter, M. Allison, P. Donnelly, C. Simpson, T. Tumelty, J. Lavery, C. Mulholland.
Subs: M. Vernon, S. Quinn, M. Hingston, M. McManus, E. Donnelly
Armagh City:
S Moore, N. Cochrane, N. McGerrian, D. Noonan, N. Finlay, A. Moore, J. Whitten, L. Cullen, A. Nesbitt, J. McSorley, D. Montgomery
Subs: R. Nesbitt, G. Cusack, M. O’Neill