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ANNAN ATHLETIC 0 : 4 QUEEN OF THE SOUTH

8th October 2005

Barnard

S1 Paton

Thomson

1 Hill

English

S3 A Trialist

B Trialist

S5 Wood

S2 McGrady

1 S6 McNiven

S4 C Trialist

SUBSTITUTES
S1 - 24 Robertson	S2 - 46 Gibson	S3 - 46 Payne	S4 - 46 2 McColm	S5 Burns	S6 O'Neill

MATCH SUMMARY

This match served two purposes, firstly to allow Queens the chance to look at two new trialists from the North East of England and the Ukrainian trialist, whilst secondly allowing Annan to get much needed first team match practice after a few blank weekends ahead of their crucial Qualifying Cup match at Threave next Saturday. Both sides would agree that it was a useful workout that was well contested and certainly fulfilled its purpose. The two Geordie trialists, one a right sided midfielder and the other a left sided striker lasted only 45 minutes before Iain Scott replaced them, the Ukrainian midfielder looked the most skilful of the three and did not look out of place in the side with a number of good touches shown from the lad. The game itself was evenly contested throughout with Queens making the bulk of the chances in the first half but Annan having more of the game in the second. David McNiven opened the scoring as he pounced onto a long ball through the middle and capitalised upon some confusion between the Annan keeper and their big number 5 to force the ball home. Annan almost got back into the game as veteran Marcus Thomson was presented with a free header in the six yard box from a John MacBeth cross, but the striker could only nod the ball over the bar. Shortly after Eric Paton pulled up as he chased a ball and after a few minutes with only ten men on the pitch Scott Robertson was introduced into midfield with Gary Wood moving into the right back slot. With ten minutes of the half left Stuart Hill scored the second with a stooping almost diving header that looped up and over the Annan keeper following a free kick on the edge of the box. The changes at half time saw Stuart McColm replace Trialist C, Stephen Payne replace Trialist A and Willie Gibson replace Stuart McGrady.

McColm turns home his first

Ten minutes into the half and youngster Stuart McColm posted his intentions with a good turn and shot in the box that beat the Annan keeper to extend the lead to three.

Trialist B threatens in the Annan box

Paul Burns then came on for Gary Wood and three minutes later John O'Neill for David McNiven. Scott Robertson produced a superb piece of individual skill to score a fantastic goal as he stepped over and through the entire Annan defence before curling an effort into the far corner of the net. However what the referee hadn't seen was that the stand side linesman had his flag up for an offside some moves earlier.

Youngster McColm - the 'find' of the afternoon

As time was running out Stuart McColm broke free and with only the keeper to beat he composed himself and chipped the ball over the diving keeper to conclude the scoring. All in all it was a useful outing for the side, however it would be surprising to see either of the Geordie trialists back at Palmerston.