St Johnstone 3: Queen of the South 0. Match report
Written by author on September 24, 2010
St. Johnstone: Enckelman, Mackay, Grainger, Duberry, Maybury, Morris, Craig (Milar 46), Davidson (Anderson 76), Parkin, Samuel (Haber 63), Myrie-Williams
QOS: Robinson, Reid, Harris, Lilley, Johnstone (Carmichael 79), McKenna (McGuffie 75), Conroy, Burns, Quinn, McLaren, Holmes (Weatherstone 73).
Only 1624 supporters turned up to watch this 3rd round game in the CIS cup. St. Johnstone having only won one game so far in the SPL the opportunity was there for Queens to spring a surprise if they could play to their best ability.
Queens had a good first half, but most of the play was in midfield and they failed to test Enckelman. We did have a penalty claim when a St. Johnstone defender handled the ball but it was very accidental so the ref was probably right in not awarding penalty.
St.Johnstone created a series of chances but didn’t test Robinson. The best chance came when Robinson dropped a cross but Craig shot over.
In the second half Queens continued to pass the ball well and kept St. Johnstone at bay. St. Johnstone kept on creating chances but a good goal keeper and defence done their job. But in the 68th minute came the turning point, when St. Johnstone but in a cross and Reid went to block it. But the ball hit his hands, and yes it was accidental, but his hands was above his head and the ref had no hesitation to point to the spot. Morris converted the spot kick, and then the defence really started to leak. Haber scored 4 min later when one on one with Robinson, and Millar scored again 2 min later in similar fashion. Suddenly it was 3-0 and game over. Queens didn’t give up though and McLaren had the ball in the net towards the end but he was correctly adjudged offside.
After a hard fought game and a good display by Queens we unfortunately got beat 3-0 and the CIS cup adventure is over for this season. We have got a semi final to look forward to in the Alba Challenge cup, and of course the Scottish Cup which Queens will join in January. Plenty of cup action to look forward to.
We have not been able to get an interview with manager Kenny Brannigan after Tuesday’s game but will get his views on that game as well as Saturdays Stirling Albion game next week!
Stig Nordkil
