10 man Queens win in style

Queen of the South’s first half display was probably the worst of the season and with only about twenty seconds played Arbroath were in on goal and Robinson was forced to make a fine diving save to deny the opponents an early lead. Queens had a couple of chances in the first half and for the first fifteen minutes were putting the pressure on the Arbroath defence and Queens were nearly in front but for a clearance off the line. Things went downhill very quickly though for Allan Johnston’s men as Arbroath broke the deadlock with a cool finish past Robinson with twenty minutes played. Then three minutes later Mark Durnan was sent off as Arbroath were on the counter attack. After this the home side found it difficult to keep possession or attack with any threat and deservedly went in at the break trailing 1-0.

The league leaders came out and played with a purpose in the second half as it took just eleven minutes after the break to score, Nicky Clarke hit a shot from well inside the box that hit a defender and while the ball was bouncing towards goal, Lyle was the first to react and put the ball into the roof of the net to make things level at 1-1. The second goal was probably the best as a long ball over the top fell to Clarke who cheekily chipped the keeper from just outside the box just three minutes after the equaliser. This was a goal that showed the confidence and quality of Clarke’s football and put the Doonhamers ahead. The victory was secured in the 65th minute when Queens broke away and Carmichael was played through to finish a one on one chance. Carmichael didn’t have the best of games but still provided the finish that his team needed. After the third goal for the league leaders it was just a matter of how many were going to be put past the Arbroath goalkeeper. The fourth goal was a well taken one as the ball was played to McKenna who was just outside of the box and smashed a powerful shot towards goal that hit the Arbroath defender, the ball landed straight back at McKenna’s feet who took the ball through to finish the move. By this time Queens were playing at full flow and were confident in possession looking for more goals, the fifth and final goal showed the confidence and quality of the second division runaway leaders and as the ball was passed to Nicky Clarke in the box it took some fancy footwork to dance around the last two defenders and to cooly slot home the goal.

This result was convincing although Queen of the South didn’t have the best of games and this for me was the mark of champions to not play well but still score five. This win leaves second place Alloa 14 points behind and this looks like Allan Johnston’s men are almost guaranteed promotion.