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QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 1 : 1 FALKIRK

19th February 2005

Barnard Rating: 6.63

Wood Rating: 6.51

Thomson Rating: 6.89

Reid Rating: 7.02

Craig Rating: 5.66

Paton Rating: 6.95

Lovell Rating: 6.82

McColligan Rating: 7.16

Bowey Rating: 7.21

1 Lyle Rating: 8.16

S1 McLaughlin Rating: 6.42

SUBSTITUTES
S1 - 73 Williams Rating: 5.39	Gibson	Burns	English	Wright

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Members of the Internet Fan Club can award players marks out of ten for their performance today. The player with the most points awarded in the two days following a match will be the IFC Man of the Match. All of the points will then be added to a running total for each player and the results published in the mom League Table.

Name or IFC No.

MATCH SUMMARY

Many fans may have gone along to Palmerston today with a deal of trepidation following the recent defeat at the hands of Dundee United and some unconvincing league form, however the side showed significant signs today of the form that we all know they are capable of and secured a comfortable draw against the best side in the division and could, had luck been with them, secured all three points. Whilst the names and numbers in the line-up were the same as last week at Perth the formation was significantly altered. Gary Wood with a number 9 on his back lined up at right-back with Eric Paton moving to the right side of midfield, Steve Bowey moving from right to left side of midfield and Brian McLaughlin playing just behind lone striker Derek Lyle. The bench saw Willie Gibson return in place of Emilio Jaconelli but other than that the balance of the sixteen was the same. The game kicked off with Queens looking purposeful and within the first five minutes the home side had forced a corner that Derek Lyle pushed wide. The game was primarily a midfield battle with Queens well marshalled by Lovell, McColligan and Bowser whilst Eric Paton and Brian McLaughlin provided the creative output.

Barnard stretches but Latapy's effort went wide

The half-hour saw the first real effort as Russell Latapy fired a snap shot goalward that Richie Barnard dived at full stretch but could only watch it fly just past his post. Goal efforts were at a premium but things were changing as both sides found a way out of midfield. Steve Bowey was next to have a long range effort but it looked well wide, then Bowser looked to be clean through after dispossessing Alan Kernaghan. The man dispossessed at one end was up at the other the next minute as he shot at goal only to see Richie Barnard make a simple catch that set off a chain of events to lead to the opening goal. Barnard dispatched the ball out to Bowey who in turn lifted the ball to the right hand side of the box where Hughes and Lyle challenged for the ball, Lyle managed to put Hughes off enough for the rejuvenated striker to volley home a contender for the 'goal of the season' as his dipping effort beat Hill in the 'Bairns' goal all ends up.

Lyle celebrates his goal

The half time whistle was a long time coming today but then there had been a first half Falkirk substitution and the physio's had also been busy with two appearances each during a half that you could not describe as dirty, maybe just uncompromising on the part of both sides.

Barnard gets down well to save at Duffy's feet

The second half started with Queens very purposeful and almost increasing the lead within the opening few minutes as Derek Lyle sent Bowser free with a superb flick with the outside of his boot and Bowser returned the pass as he sent the ball into the middle of the box for Lyle to run in on, unfortunately though Del didn't connect cleanly and the danger looked to have been cleared, although the eagle eyed referee had seen the controlled pass-back to Hill in the Falkirk goal and rightly awarded Queens an indirect free kick about ten yards from the line. It was desperate defending for the next thirty seconds from Falkirk as first the Queens free-kick smashed off the wall, then it was returned back again and cleared away before it fell to Bowser who also managed to find a defensive body part before the ball eventually made it out of the penalty box.

It's Bowser's turn to smash a shot toward goal

With Queens still pressing Derek Lyle had another great chance as he flicked a header from a David Craig cross downwards onto the goal line only to see Hill managing to stop it as it headed towards the net. Fifteen minutes into the half and the visitors drew level as a routine deep ball to the back post somehow was unchallenged and met by the head of Andy Lawrie to beat Richie Barnard. Half an hour into the half an indecisive attempt by Barnard to come for a ball on the edge of the box saw him have to pull off a great block from Duffy as the young striker nicked the ball before the 'keeper could get to it. Just after that Alex Williams was introduced for Brian McLaughlin with Derek Lyle dropping back into the 'hole'. Williams had the chance to become an instant Palmerston hero as a Brian McColligan run down the right and cross onto the toe of Williams looked a sure goal, but somehow Williams could only screw it past the post. The final action of the half saw Eric Paton picking up his first booking of the season. In summary it was a much improved performance and Queens more than deserved a point from the match.