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QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 2 : 0 ROSS COUNTY

4th November 2006

Scott Rating: 7.20

Lauchlan Rating: 7.06

Mackenzie Rating: 7.06

McCaffrey Rating: 7.11

Paton Rating: 7.10

1 O'Neill Rating: 7.09

Scally Rating: 7.63

S1 Moon Rating: 6.97

Gibson Rating: 6.88

S2 1 Weir Rating: 7.92

Barrowman Rating: 7.62

SUBSTITUTES
S1 - 64 Swift Rating: 6.11	S2 - 74 A Thomson Rating: 6.10	J Thomson	Henry	Corr

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Name or IFC No.

MATCH SUMMARY

Ian McCall kept faith in his eleven starters from last weekends first win of the season giving the same guys the same roles in an unaltered 3-5-2 formation. Indeed the only change to the entire sixteen was the return from suspension of Jim Thomson in place of Mark Whorlow. Queens began the game in much the same way that they had done last week, although it did take until the fifteenth minute before anything of note in terms of chances arose. A quality Warren Moon corner to the back post gave John O'Neill enough space to shape himself for a volley but the effort was mis-hit and flew over the bar by some way. A further fifteen minutes passed before the next chance of note as Craig Samson had to push an Andrew Barrowman cross-come-shot out from under his bar and away for a corner.

Samson pushes out Barrowman's cross

The remainder of the half saw only a couple of chances, Queens upped the tempo and forced play in and around the box for a period of time and then a chance created and executed by Michael Gardyne saw the on-loan Celtic youngster curl an effort from the left hand touchline that thankfully sailed around the wrong side of the post with Colin Scott at full stretch.

Scooter at full stretch

Just before the break County replaced the injured Sean Higgins with Amick Ciani. The second half began with the Ross County substitute Ciani showing that he would prove a handful for Dessie McCaffery as the robustly built forward showed some good skill and pace to brush past and into the box, his final effort could have been better but fortunately it was poor and slid past the post without troubling 'Scooter'.

Scot watches as Ciani's shot slides past

Ten minutes into the half a free kick was awarded to Queens when former Cleyholer Alex Keddie upended Graham Weir about five yards outside the box and pretty central. The trio of Moon, Weir and Scally assessed their options and took up positions, Moon ran over the ball, Scally tapped it into the path of Weir and Weir crashed an effort goalward that the diving Craig Samson could only help into the net.

Sammy can only push the ball into the top corner

Weir blasts home - from Rob Campbell in the stand.

Weir blasts home - from David Gow on the terraces.

Queens were looking confident as County were unable to trouble the goal of Colin Scott. Ian McCall made a similar swap to last week as he brought on Stephen Swift to replace Warren Moon who again had a great game distributing the ball from the centre of the park. Swift went wide right and Eric Paton took up the spot vacated by Warren Moon. Seven minutes later and it was another repeat showing from last week. Gary Irvine was adjudged to have handled the ball and Queens were awarded the free-kick. Willie Gibson put in another perfect ball to the back post and this week John O'Neill took up the offer and headed past Samson to give Queens the two goal cushion.

O'Neill is mobbed in the middle of the celebrations

O'Neill on the end of a Gibson free kick - from David Gow on the terraces.

O'Neill on the end of a Gibson free kick - from Rob Campbell in the stand.

Andy Thomson then made his entrance and Graham Weir his exit to a standing ovation. County almost gave themselves a lifeline as Jim Lauchlan was found to be the guilty party as both he and Amick Ciani tussled for the ball on the edge of the home sides box. The effort from the Derek Adams free-kick evaded the defensive wall but couldn't beat Colin Scott who got down superbly well to stop and hold the effort at his right hand post. In the final few minutes both Andy Thomson and John O'Neill had good chances to extend the lead, Thomson just failing to connect with a brilliant cross from Stephen Swift whilst O'Neill chose to shoot from the edge of the box making Samson produce a good save when Thomson was asking for a lay-off. All in all this was another good performance, the team is clearly growing in confidence and improving during each game, Stephen Swift looked as though he has a lot to contribute with some excellent touches in the short time he was on and Warren Moon continues to provide impressive deliveries. It sets up next weeks game at Gretna very nicely and one thing Queens will not be lacking is confidence.