Queen’s win pressure points
Gus overjoyed as side show resilience
Q u e e n ’s P a r k b o s s G u s MacPherson praised his players’ ability to stand up to pressure after their 2-1 win over Montrose.
After scoring two goals in the first half, Gus admits it got a bit nervy after Montrose scored a penalty on 64 minutes to get back in to the game.
However he was delighted with how his players saw out the remainder of the match.
He added: “We were delighted with the win. It doesn’t matter whether you’re at home or away, it’s important to get off to a good start. We didn’t on Saturday and struggled a wee bit. You’ve got to give Montrose credit, they put us under pressure.
“Against the run of play, though, we scored. That made a big difference to the performance. We got a second goal and were pretty comfortable until Montrose scored the penalty. But that was a good test for the players, they defended very well for 25 minutes. The signs are pleasing, when they’re under pressure they can stand up to it and defend properly.
“We started the second half very well and created a couple of chances but we lost a penalty against the run of play. It was a test for the players and they passed it. It was the same in the first 15 minutes of the game, the players stoodup well to the Montrose pressure. Willie Muir had a fantastic save and we defended well.”
This Saturday Queen’s will face Annan at what will be their last game at New Broomfield before returning home to Hampden. Gus is hoping to sign off with a win and keep hot on the tails of the league leaders.
Gus added: “We would hope to. The belief in the group is there for everyone to see. The last time we played Annan was early on in the season. It was our first win of the season. It was a tough game.
“They’ve turned the corner a little bit and have gotten some good results. One of their senior strikers Peter Weatherson has been scoring goals regularly for them, so we have to be wary of that.
“We will try to get the three points. I don’t foresee Arbroath dropping points so we have to make sure we keep winning to stay on their tails.” Queen’s Park continued their recent good form with a 2-1 win over Montrose at Links Park.
The away side took the lead on 24 minutes. A lovely ball was threaded through the home defence and John Carter ran onto it, slotting past McKenzie in the Montrose goal.
Eight minutes from the break and Queen’s won a corner on the left. Miller whipped in a ball seemed to be going in at the far post. Just to make sure, Paul Woods got his head on the ball to make it 2-0.
Montrose got back in to on the hour mark. McIntosh pursued a ball in the corner of the box and Bryan Wharton put in his first rash challenge of the afternoon to send the winger flying. The ref pointed to the spot and Wood smacked the ball home to make it 2-1. QP managed to hold on for all three points.
QUEEN’S PARK: Muir, Rooney, McVey, Slattery, Quinn, Wharton, Woods, Miller, Carter (McPherson), Fraser (Fotheringham), McElroy