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QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 1 : 2 KILMARNOCK - (After Extra-time)

22nd August 2006

Scott Rating: 7.40

Lauchlan Rating: 7.75

Mackenzie Rating: 7.20

Henderson Rating: 7.41

S1 Paton Rating: 6.31

Burns Rating: 7.04

O'Neill Rating: 6.41

Scally Rating: 7.35

Gibson Rating: 7.17

S2 Weir Rating: 7.42

S3 1 O'Connor Rating: 7.67

SUBSTITUTES
S1 - 60 Henry Rating: 6.04	S2 - 66 Mullen Rating: 5.83	S3 - 75 A Thomson Rating: 6.18	Callaghan	Corr

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MATCH SUMMARY

The two wing backs took up their more familiar roles tonight, Eric Paton back on the right and Willie Gibson the left in place of loan signing Barry Callaghan, whilst Jim Lauchlan returned from suspension as a direct replacement for Jim Thomson who hadn't recovered in time from a knock on Saturday to the knee that requires surgery. That meant that Scott Mackenzie retained his role in the middle of the three man defensive line. The first half was a relatively quiet affair with only a handful of chances to note, the first in 16 minutes falling to Steven Naismith when he came out best in a challenge between himself and Willie Gibson and with Colin Scott well outside the area Naismith lobbed the 'keeper, but the ball bounced fortunately for Queens over the bar with the goal unguarded. Four minutes later and Queens had their first chance of the half as a corner was headed back across goal by Murray Henderson for Sean O'Connor to slide in and fire the ball just past the post with Graeme Smith in the Killie goal unsighted.

Colin Scott on an expedition

The half became more interesting as it went on and the final few minutes saw a tremendous one handed reaction save from Colin Scott to deny Colin Nish and then the same man was thwarted from a free-kick swung in like a corner, this time the saviour was Willie Gibson who was positioned at the near post and made the necessary headed clearance. Both sides had put in a good shift in the first half and Queens had certainly not looked out of place alongside their SPL opponents. The second half saw Queens start most impressively with a goal in the opening minutes as a long Neil Scally throw was nodded on by Murray Henderson and fell to Sean O'Connor, the big striker had two go's at finishing but finish he did as the ball was eventually bundled over the line and the possibility of a 'cup shock' sprung into people's minds.

Big Sean wheels away to celebrate his goal

Sean nets the goal - from David Gow on the terraces.

Suddenly it was Queens in the ascendancy as a rejuvenated Willie Gibson drove at the Killie defence, he had two defenders in front of him and Sean O'Connor to the left with Graham Weir to the right, Willie chose to play the ball wide to Graham Weir but failed to get it into the path of the striker and 'keeper Smith collected comfortably. Moments later and it was Weir himself through on goal from an O'Connor flick, Weirs first effort was blocked back to him by Smith and his second was again blocked by Smith only this time it was the 'keepers heel and he certainly didn't know much about the save as Weir and the large home support cursed his luck. Ten minutes into the half and it looked like a great opportunity as a well struck Willie Gibson free-kick floated across behind the defence for the inrushing Lauchlan and O'Neill to attack, everyone missed it though and the ball ended up out of play. Eric Paton had suffered a heavy knock in the first half and eventually had to be replaced, the change being John Henry coming on and Paul Burns moving across to right wing back. Killie were playing some good football and pressurising the home defence but everyone in the side was playing their part and if it wasn't a defender clearing then it was a wing back or Neil Scally back helping out. The next change made by Ian McCall was to replace the ever industrious Graham Weir with Michael Mullen to give the visiting defence a fresh pair of legs to chase. With just fifteen minutes to go however the home side conceded an equalising goal as the left hand side of the park provided a route for Naismith to put in a quality cross that Grant Murray was able to rise and head past the stranded Colin Scott. The immediate response from Ian McCall was to freshen things up again and Andy Thomson joined the game to replace goal scorer Sean O'Connor.

Scott just can't get to Murray's effort and Killie equalise

Whilst Killie continued to press Queens clearly hadn't settled for extra-time and Willie Gibson had the last chance of normal time that would have wrapped it up for Queens as he beat his man on the left hand edge of the box before twisting inside and then surprisingly back outside before unleashing a shot that Smith did very well to block away for a corner. It was down to extra-time and with both sides having used all of their substitutes there was no scope for fresh legs. Three minutes into the first period and Queens should have re-taken the lead as Michael Mullen did superbly well to turn Gordon Greer, the forward broke away and with only Smith to beat elected to curl a shot past the keeper towards the top corner, however the effort was a fraction wide of the post and Kilmarnock breathed a sigh of relief. There were chances at both ends with Killie forcing some corners but looking as tired as Queens and the home side looking to win every ball and cause the upset. A quick turnaround for the second period of extra time but it was as you were with end to end play, Killie having an effort off the underside of the bar cleared away by the Queens defence before the eventually did take the lead for the first time in the match. Steven Naismith picked up a loose ball in the middle of the park and made towards goal down the right hand side, Murray Henderson held off the forward for fear of conceding a penalty but Naismith still managed to unleash a superb effort that found the back of the net with Colin Scott stranded. Queens didn't give up though and fought to the very end with no noticeable difference in fitness levels between the two sides and a good clean, after all there were no bookings at all, match was enjoyed by both sets of fans.