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QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 0 : 0 ROSS COUNTY

1st April 2006

Barnard Rating: 6.59

Thomson Rating: 6.90

Lovell Rating: 7.81

Aitken Rating: 6.98

Paton Rating: 6.22

S2 Lyle Rating: 5.63

O'Neill Rating: 5.83

Bowey Rating: 7.07

Gibson Rating: 6.88

S3 Weir Rating: 6.63

S1 Thomson Rating: 6.12

SUBSTITUTES
S1 - 62 O'Connor Rating: 5.95	S2 - 71 Wood Rating: 5.68	S3 - 80 Mullen	English	Scott

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MATCH SUMMARY

Ian McCall made a few changes to his side today as Ryan McStay missed through illness and Paul Burns through a knee injury. Richie Barnard kept his place in goal following his heroics at New Douglas Park last week and last week's goalscorer John O'Neill got a starting place in for McStay whilst Derek Lyle took Burns' place. Willie Gibson also returned to the side leaving no room in the sixteen for Sean Dillon whilst the starting front pairing was Weir and Andy Thomson. The big news however was the first reappearance in a Queens top since his return in January of Sean O'Connor, even though only as a substitute. Tommy English also came back into the squad with a seat on the bench. Queens almost started with an immediate goal as Graham Weir met an Eric Paton cross from the right, low at the foot of the post but the giant McCaldon in the visitors goal pushed it around the post for a corner to Queens. The resulting corner gave Stuart Lovell a goalden chance but the 'Courier Player of the Month' couldn't quite steer his header onto the target much to the relief of the visiting defence.

Lovell heads an early chance wide of goal

On the quarter hour mark the Staggies should really have opened the scoring as a penetrating ball through the heart of the Queens defence found Gary McSwegan clean through in a one on one with Richie Barnard. The Queens stopper was off his line quickly though and did enough to ensure that the striker couldn't get his shot on target.

Sean Higgins looks to get around Stuart Lovell

It was a pretty even affair and a quick break by Willie Gibson who then put in a good cross found Andy Thomson but the hit-mans effort was weak and the keeper collected comfortably. Just after the half hour Andy Thomson almost lost his shirt as a County defender appeared to want an early souvenir, the referee missed it but the old stand side linesman spotted it well and kept his flag aloft until the referee noticed it. The resulting free kick was taken by Eric Paton and his curling effort was brilliantly saved by a fully stretched McCaldon in the visitors goal. After half time Willie Gibson had more of an impact, early in the half he tried on two occasions to turn inside and shoot for goal.. His first effort was easily collected, although had it spilled Andy Thomson was ready to pounce and his second effort gave the keeper a bit more trouble but the big man got down well to push the ball around the post. The Staggies defenders were having a tough time with Gibson and soon conceded a free kick, Paton stepped up again but this time his effort curled past the far post. County were giving as good as they got and a snapshot by Don Cowie from the edge of the box was well taken by Richie Barnard. Moments later it was McCaldon's turn to produce a good stop as he blocked a Willie Gibson free kick that was taken low and hard. At the other end John Rankin fired an effort past the post from a Sean Higgins knock-down much to the relief of the old stand side fans who were waiting for the net to bulge. The biggest cheer of the day came fifteen minutes into the half when Sean O'Connor made his long awaited return to Palmerston by replacing legend Andy Thomson. Shortly after Gary Wood took over from Derek Lyle and then finally Graham Weir for Michael Mullen.

Big Sean back in a Queens top

It was a siege on the visitors goal for the last ten minutes with Willie Gibson providing the bulk of the ammunition for the forwards to attempt to convert. The closest effort being a Jim Thomson header from a corner that was unfortunately straight at a defender on the line who didn't know much about it but did enough to block it.

John Rankin gets in the way!

A couple of chances - from David Gow on the terraces.

Queens probably deserved to win the match, two off the line, two good penalty shouts, one on O'Neill first half and one on Weir second on top of a disallowed goal when Andy Thomson was given offside. Still we are for the first time this season in the driving seat - it is in our own hands now, if we win every game we stay up. Well done to the side and to the manager who has produced a remarkable transformation.