Shock defeat in the Scottish Cup tonight – Queen of the South 1; Brechin City 2
Written by author on January 11, 2011
Q.O.S: Robinson, Reid, Harris, S. McKenna, Lilley, McGuffie, Burns, Quinn, Holmes, McMenamin, McLaren
Brechin: Nelson, McLean, Cook, White, Moyes, Janczyk, Byers, Malloy, McAllister, D. McKenna, Docherty
Only 1169 turned up on a cold Tuesday night to watch Queens play in this 4th round tie in the Scottish cup. It was clear to see it was a while since Queens had played a competitive game, and the passing at the beginning was poor. On three occasions in the first 10-15 min Queens defence had played 3 bad back passes to their keeper, but luckily for Queens Brechin wasted all of them. Some good goalkeeping from Robinson and some poor finishing saved them.
But on 18 min Queens luck ran out. Kevin Byers took a shot from outside the box that must have taken a deflection on the way and Robinson could not get to the ball as it went into the net. 0-1 to Brechin.
After the goal, Queens started to find their feet a bit and had a few chances to get back into the game. But Queens was outnumbered in the box on several occasions. One of the few chances Queens did manage to create came after a corner when Lilley headed the ball towards the goal but it was saved on the line. The ball was still bouncing in the box but Brechin unfortunately managed to clear it. A few minutes later Robinson was caught of his line and only just managed to push the ball over the bar from a lob.
But after 38 min Brechin scored again. This time it was Rory McAllister who scored. The ball was put into the box and under pressure McAllister managed to get a shot away with his back to goal, and Robinson couldn’t get to the ball as it went in. 0-2
Before the first half finished Lilley managed to get booked and Brechin had a curled shot pushed wide by Robinson.
0-2 to Brechin at half time and not the scoreline we had anticipated before the match. Bad passing and sloppy back passes contributed to a disappointed half for Queen of The South. But there was signs of improvements which made us hopeful for a better second half. Queens made a change at half time with Alan Johnstone replacing the injured David Lilley.
But it was Brechin who nearly extended their lead when a shot went over a stranded Robinson but it hit the bar, Queens lucky again. Only a few minutes later Brechin had another shot but it was well saved by Robinson.
Queens started to put some pressure on the Brechin defence, and after 66 min it paid off. Colim McMenamin had the ball outside the box, looked to pass the ball, but due to lack of options he took a shot which went into the bottom corner. 1-2 and renewed hope for Queens fans.
A few minutes later Queens got the ball back into the box and I for one thought McLaren was fouled and it looked liked the referee pointed to the penalty spot but he indeed signalled for a goal kick. McMenamin fired wide a few minutes later and he also had a chance from a corner but his header was brilliantly saved by Nelson in the Brechin goal. Had that header gone to either side it would have been a goal but it went straight on the keeper.
The last 20 min was mostly Queens but Brechin done a good job of putting men behind the ball and making it difficult. Again a lack of numbers in the box for Queens made it difficult to get any clear chances. I was hoping Queens would put real pressure on Brechin in the last 10 min but it never happened. Brechin done a good job of keeping the ball and in my opinion Queens didn’t push enough men forwards in search of the goal that would have earned them a replay.
All in all a disappointing performance for Queen of The South in this 1-2 defeat, and we can only hope for a big improvement in the league against Falkirk on Saturday. With a busy schedule ahead Queens will have improve quickly to make an impact in the first division.
