Queen of the South Ladies were up against it on Sunday at Palmerston when Armadale Thistle Ladies visited on Barclays SWF League One duty.
Queens found themselves trailing in only the second minute when Armadale’s rocket fuel powered left winger carried the ball from near the half way line leaving the Queens defenders trailing before cutting in along the goal line and squaring the ball for a tap in. It was an impressive exhibition of pace that was to be replicated throughout the first half and Queens struggled to defend against it. Armadale added a second goal after 17 minutes, again using pace to get away from the Queens defenders. Queens were playing some lovely passing football and creating opportunities of their own, but they were lacking that killer touch in front of goal, with Armadale defending well. Queens did pull a goal back after 22 minutes when midfielder Jade Samping fired in an unstoppable looping shot from outside the right hand corner of the penalty area, the ball going over the Armadale keeper and dropping in under the bar in to the far corner of the net. Queens scented a comeback was on and they tried to push forward with the midfield trio of Connon, Bryden and Samping working hard to set up opportunities for the forward trio of Geddes, Gallagher & Ovens. However Armadale still posed a repeated threat, their no. 17’s strong running causing no end of problems with speedy breakaways that left Queens’ keeper Lois Kerr under repeated pressure. By half time, Armadale had stretched their lead to 4-1 and a difficult second half looked likely.
Queens however came out fighting and they tightened up the defence to reduce the threat from Armadale’s fast forwards. The team was freshened up with the introduction of substitutes including Emily Butcher, recently returned from injury, Eve Jackson, and Eve Crombie, whose own lightning pace turned the tables on the Armadale defence. Ultimately Queens couldn’t break down the well organised Armadale defence but neither did they concede any more goals and the full time whistle went as daylight faded with the score still at 4-1 to the visitors. Queens remain in 5th place in the league table; Armadale sit in second place, one point behind current leaders St Mirren.
The Player of the Match award for Sunday’s game went to Maisie Copland, playing for Queens at left back. Maisie previously played wide on the left but recently has made the left back position her own, and she has also played at centreback during Charlotte Smith’s absence due to injury.
Queens team:
Lois Kerr
Freya Brown Kirsty Macdonald Charlotte Smith Maisie Copland
Alexanda Connon Charlotte Bryden Jade Samping
Lois Geddes Jordyn Gallagher Holly Ovens
Subs: Anna Ingram, Demi Torrance, Emily Butcher, Eve Crombie, eve Jackson, Megan Murray
