Queens Girls U15 Blues had a free weekend, so a Thursday night friendly at NWCC was arranged against Mid Annadale Ladies. Mids Ladies play in SWFL Div 2 and so Queens knew they would be in for a hard game. Against older and physically stronger opponents, Queens found themselves down 2-0 after 17 minutes, Mids scoring with 2 powerful strikes. Queens however didn’t let this affect their game and they continued to move the ball around well and create chances, with Freya Brown starting to outpace her marker down the right hand side to put in crosses that caused problems for the Mids defence. Queens central defensive pairing of Bronwyn Davies and Kayleigh Telfer dealt with everything that Mids threw at them, allowing Eve Brown and Mya Meechan in the fullback positions to push forward down the wings. With 37 minutes gone a ball driven in from the left made its way through to Holly Ovens who had found space in the box, and she coolly fired it into the far corner. Queens continued to press, and with half time looming, Maisie Copland picked the ball up in midfield, headed for goal, and from well outside the box rocketed the ball into the net.
The second half had barely started when Mids were awarded a penalty for a push in the box. The penalty kick hit initially hit the inside of the post, and Sophie Ingram made three superb blocks as Mids attempted to convert the rebound. Immediately after this let-off, Queens produced a flowing passing move down the left that ended with a long cross ball reaching Cairn Houliston, who finished it off to put Queens 3-2 up. Queens were in the ascendancy now and came close with a terrific passing move down the right, ending with an Olivia Reynolds cross landing in front of Cairn Houliston, but the Mids defence managed to block her effort. Several more chances were created but good work by the Mids defence and goalkeeper kept Queens out, although it looked inevitable that Queens would add to their tally. However with 20 minutes of the 90 remaining, a Mids player fell awkwardly after a strong 50:50 challenge, and injured her neck. Due to the potentially serious nature of the injury, an ambulance was called and because of the delay, eventually the decision was taken to abandon the game. Happily the injury turned out to be less serious than feared.
Queens Girls U11s
The u11’s were in action at the weekend against three strong boys teams, Little Tekkers, Mid Annandale & Greystone Rovers. Once the girls got into their stride, they played some lovely passing football, forcing the Tekkers keeper to make a number of excellent saves to keep them out, but eventually Poppy did grab a goal in a narrow 2-1 defeat. Next up was Mid Annadale, and although Queens conceded the first goal, they hit back and equalised through Poppy. Queens went ahead after Maisie unselfishly set up a second goal, and with Gracie, Lily & Carley defending stoutly, Queens held on for a narrow victory. The final game was against Greystone and was palyed at a slower pace as the teams tired. Jessica and Sienna came close, and Ami and Eva worked hard, but the stronger Greystone boys ,anaged to grab a couple of goals to give them the win.
This was the best team performance so far this season, with plenty of one touch football and dribbling in the right areas. The three very tight games illustrated how much the girls have improved in the last 6 weeks.
This weekend, the girls are playing at the Annan Festival.
Queens U15 Whites beat Threave Rovers U15 Girls 3-1 at Castle Douglas. Second and third goals scored by Grace Gilmour and Macey Zygadlo
