Queen’s Park 18s played St Johnstone, yesterday afternoon, at the Penny Cars Stadium, Airdrie, in their sixth Club Academy Scotland, Performance Tier League game.
Queen’s had played five games so far this season and only lost to St Mirren. St Johnstone were unbeaten for the season. So we were hopefully in for a cracking game.
The first five minutes saw both teams pushing to dominate the game. Queen’s had an early chance when Lucas McCormick fastened onto a long ball played over the Perth defence but his shot miss the target.
20 minutes in, still 0-0, a very even game. Although both teams have had an equal amount of possession, Queen’s have been more effective in the final third, creating a number of chances.
By the 30th minute St Johnstone were starting to gain a bit of an upper hand with more possession in the Queen’s half, but still not testing Reece Beverage in the Spider’s goal. Queen’s on the other hand were not managing to get into their usual rhythm in midfield.
In the 32nd minute Queen’s broke the deadlock. Good play by Cameron Bruce down the left saw the ball delivered into the St Johnstone box where Lucas McCormick, unmarked, headed the ball into the far corner of the net.
In the 38th minute Queen’s had a chance to increase their lead. From a corner on the right the ball is crossed into the six yard box, knocked out and the resultant shot sailed high over the bar.
In the 42nd minute Queen’s made it 2-0. Excellent play from Chris Mahon, who beat three defenders ,before cutting the ball back for Zach Mauchin for an easy tap in from 12 yards out.
Half time: Queen’s Park 2 St Johnstone 0
St Johnstone came out for the second half in determined fashion. They closely marked the Queen’s players in an attempt to disrupt their flow.
The game continued in a midfield duel with neither side creating much in the way of scoring opportunities.
In the 79th minute Queen’s added a third. A great run by Alex Fairlie, who dribbled his way down the left side of the St Johnstone box, raced his way to the byline and cut back a superb ball for Liam McLeish to hammer it home from 8 yards out. An excellent executed goal.
In the 84th minute later St Johnstone pulled a goal back. A driven cross from the left was spilled by the Queen’s keeper and the St Johnstone forward knocked the ball home from one yard out
Full time: Queen’s Park 3 St Johnstone 1
Queen’s Park: Beverage, McDowell, Bruce, Graham, Reid, McQuaid, McLeish, McCormick, Mahon, Scott. Subs: Ross, Fairlie, Lickrish, Howe, Connelly, Thomson, Russell.