It was a bright, warm day for our visit to Cookstown. Kevin Briggs was unavailable so Ryan Murphy had his first start of the season as did Robbie Budden.
Two minutes in and Queen’s Connor Mulholland ran clear of the home defence only to be denied by a fine save by Gary Stewart in the Killymoon goal. Queen’s continued to press and Stewart was called upon again to turn Allison’s shot on the crossbar. The bar was hit again when Ryan Murphy headed against it from Paddy Donnelly’s corner.
Queen’s keeper was called into action, saving well at the near post from Jonathan Young’s strong shot following a flowing move. The turning point of the game came soon after the break. Firstly, Killymoon thought they had scored when David McMullan headed the ball forward from the edge of the box and William Montgomery headed it into the net but was adjudged to be offside. Queen’s took the lead in controversial circumstances. They were awarded a free on the edge of the box and as Killymoon were organising their wall, James Lavery struck the ball low in the corner of the goal. Despite the protests from the Killymoon players, referee Tavinder allowed the goal. Moments later it was two nil when Lavery lashed the ball home at the near post from a very narrow angle. In the dying seconds Paul Smyth added a third, heading home Donnelly’s corner.
Another satisfactory win, however, again, a lot of good chances were missed and this may cost us against stronger opposition. Next game is away to Dunmurry YM in the second round of the Steel & Sons cup on Saturday 27th August.
Teams: -
Queen's:
G. Duff, S. Harper, P. Prenter, R.Budden, M. McManus, G. Higgins, M. Allison, P. Donnelly, R.Murphy, J. Lavery, C. Mulholland
Subs: M. Vernon, J. Elliott, C. Miller, P. Smyth, E. Donnelly.
Teams: -
Killymoon:
G. Stewart, J. Scott, A. McPartland, S. McElhatton, A. Ferson, G. Crooks, D. Shannon, D. McMullan, C. Stewart, W. Montgomery, J. Young
Subs: C. Kilpatrick, W. Ferguson