We’re fit like, says happy Queen’s boss
Spiders grab win after midweek extra time game
Arbroath ............... 1 Queen’s Park ........ 2
Queen’s Park boss Gus MacPherson praised his side’s fitness after they won on Saturday, despite playing a cup fixture that went to extra time earlier in the week.
]The Spiders beat championship side Dumbarton in the Challenge Cup last Tuesday, with Joe Bradley scoring in extra time.
And on Saturday the Hampden men kept their good form going, securing a 2-1 win against Arbroath at Gayfield.
The Spiders couldn’t have started the match on Saturday much better when, on three minutes, Chris Duggan played a neat ball into the path of Paul Woods who took a touch before firing the ball into the net through the legs of the onrushing keeper Fleming.
Arbroath had a lot of the possession, but Queen’s looked livelier on the break. QP doubled their lead just after half time when Sean Burns picked up the ball and drove down the flank and then started to cut inside.
With the crowd screaming for him to cut the ball back, Sean ignored the pleas and belted the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
As the game drew to a close the home side managed a consolation goal.
Arbroath broke down the right, whipped in a cross – and Vitoria nicked in front of the Spiders’ defence to glance a header past the helpless Muir.
Speaking after the game, Gus said: “What was pleasing is the fact we went to extra time with a Championship team on the Tuesday and still managed to win on the Saturday, the players have tremendous fitness.
“There’s not many teams that could go to extra time midweek and then go and win their game on the weekend. It’s testament to the player’s fitness.
“Their goal was right on the final whistle so we weren’t worried. We scored in the first half early on and were looking fairly comfortable, the first 20 minutes they had more possession but we managed to contain them well and they never really threatened. We had some more chances, but then so did Arbroath.
“Scoring early in the second half helped settle us – it meant Arbroath had a lot to do to get back in to it.
“It was a great goal by Sean Burns too. We had more chances in the second, and Arborath had a few, Willie Muir had to make some good saves.”
On Saturday Queen’s continue their tough start to the season as they take on East Fife at Hampden.
East Fife finished fourth last season and beat Elgin 2-1 last Saturday.
Gus added: “It’s been a difficult start to the season, no question but we have played well and got good results.
“Beating a championship side in the cup and then winning a league game that weekend will give us confidence. East Fife had a good result against Elgin in their last league game so we know it will be tough.”
QUEEN’S PARK: Muir; Ralston, Burns, Berry, Gibson, Wharton, Woods, McKernon ( McLeish), Duggan ( Galt), Baty, Bradley (Carter).