A double from Zach Mauchin and goals from Liam McQuaid, Chris Mahon and Lucas McCormick saw off Dundee in the Under 18 CAS Perfomance Tier match last night at the Penny Cars Stadium.
Dundee started the game at a fast pace and played a high press for the first five minutes of the game
Queen’s had chances in the opening minutes, first from a corner, then a free kick just outside the penalty box.
Dundee continue to play a high pressing game but Queen’s counteracted, playing long diagonal balls behind the Dundee fullbacks on the big pitch.
In the 8th minute Queen’s took the lead. An attack down the right resulted in the ball being crossed into the Dundee box. Liam McQuaid stepped onto the ball and fired it across the keeper into the far corner of the net. A well worked goal.
Queen’s were on top of the game. Their buildup was methodical, moving the ball side to side at the back waiting for gaps to appear in the Dundee midfield before playing very accurate balls forward. Their support play and interpassing was also excellent.
15 minutes in and Queen’s are certainly on top, Dundee are sitting further back to counteract the long balls played behind their fullbacks so effectively by the Spiders who were, in particular, exploiting gaps down Dundee’s left side, where Chris Mahon’s pace was causing Dundee problems.
In the 18th minute Queen’s had a chance to increase their lead. Again, good play down the right, saw the ball played across the Dundee six yard box but the Dundee keeper blocked the cross before Timam Scott could get to it.
In the 34th minute another great chance for Queen’s. A tremendous through ball to Lucas McCormick who was wide left. Lucas cut inside and fired a superb shot which was equally well saved by the Dundee Keeper
In the 41st minute Queen’s double their lead. Excellent play by Liam McQuaid down the left where he beat two defenders before cutting the ball across the Dundee box for Zach Mauchin to step onto and fire the ball into the net
Just on the half time whistle Queen’s made it 3-0. A well worked move from a corner allowed Zach Mauchlin to head the ball home.
Half time: Queen’s Park 3 Dundee 0
Dundee started the second half on the front foot, playing a much higher game pressing Queen’s back.
But what Queen’s are really good at is winning the ball back. They seem to surround any Dundee player in possession and block all escape routes before turning the ball over. Dundee were restricted to shots from distance.
In the 51st minute Queen’s added a fourth. A long kick out from Reece Beverage found Kane Thomson who drove to the bye line before cutting the ball back to Chris Mahon who, from the edge of the box, found the net.
The long anticipated rain has now arrived at the Penny Cars Stadium, turning a warm pleasant night into a wet one.
Queen’s by this stage were comfortable in their domination of the game. They were playing the ball around well and patient in attack.
Dundee were still in too much of a rush and tended to give the ball away too easily when in possession.
In the 86th minute Queen’s scored their fifth goal of the evening. Yet another long ball played behind the Dundee defence allowed Queen’s to get to the byeline, before cutting the ball into the Dundee box for Lucas McCormick to head the ball home.
Full time: Queen’s Park 5 Dundee 0
Queen’s Park: Beverage, Thomson, Bruce, Graham, Reid, Ross, Mahon, Mauchin, McCormick, McQuaid, Scott.
Subs: McLeish, Fairlie, Lickrish, Howe, Russell.