It was a miserable dreary, wet day for this clash against an unbeaten Knockbreda team.
In the early play Queen’s Tony Tumelty saw two good shots go narrowly wide, while at the other end the impressive Miguel Chimes was causing problems for the Queen’s defence with his skill on the ball. On one occasion he turned Queen’s defender Stuart Harper but keeper Gerard Duff came to the rescue. Ten minutes before the break, Queen’s were ahead. A good move saw Aaron Keenan’s defence splitting pass find Paddy Donnelly on the left wing and he laid on a perfect low cross for James Lavery to slot home from close range.
On the restart, Fergus McBride did well on the right wing and his cross found Lavery whose shot went narrowly over the top. It had been a fairly even first half but as the second period wore on Knockbreda became more and more dominant and eventually laid siege to the Queen’s goal. They made and missed a host of chances and keeper Duff saved his side with a number of brave saves. As often happens when a team is under the cosh, Queen’s were very dangerous in breakaways. Donnelly and Lavery had clearcut chances on the break but couldn’t convert. Fifteen minutes from the end, following a mad scramble in the Queen’s six yard box, referee Boyce showed a red card to Burns of Knockbreda and to Queen’s defender, Matt McManus.
Given the large number of good chances in the second half, it is very difficult to explain how Lavery’s first half goal was enough to win this game. This was a very important and welcome win.The win keeps us in second position and we now look forward to another testing fixture away to Dundela at Wilgar Park next Saturday ko 3pm.
Teams: -
Queen's:
G. Duff, G. Higgins, S. Harper, M. McManus, P. Prenter, M. Allison, A. Keenan, P. Donnelly, F. McBride, T. Tumelty, J. Lavery.
Subs: M. Vernon, C. Mulholland, S. Quinn, D. Tumelty, M. Hingston