Amazing turnaround as Queens storm back from two down
ARBROATH 2 Hamilton (11), Mckenna (pen 22) QOS 4
Obileye (33, 51), Shields (38), Awokoya-mebude (45+1)
Queen of the South boss Allan Johnston was buzzing after watching his side come from behind to win a six-goal thriller at Gayfield.
The result ends Arbroath’s eightgame unbeaten run and hoists the Doonhamers into joint second position in the table.
And yet, after the opening 25 minutes, it was the home side who looked to be in total control by grabbing a two-goal lead.
Few at that stage could have anticipated the remarkable turnaround in fortunes which was to follow as the visitors staged a remarkable comeback.
Johnston said: “Arbroath came out of the traps very fast and we failed to deal with their physicality and the balls going forward.
“But credit to the players for the way they came back.
“Some of the play and some of the chances we created were excellent.
“We have a lot of pace about our team and that was probably the difference in the game.
“We were causing Arbroath all sorts of problems with counterattacks and balls in behind.
“And Ayo Obileye was different class.
“Apart from his goals, he was everywhere. His passing was excellent and he gives us that physical presence in the middle of the pitch.
“It’s a great result for us and, hopefully, we can kick on.”
The hosts made a bright start and visiting keeper Rohan Ferguson had to be alert to tip a Michael Mckenna header over the bar.
The Red Lichties took the lead in the 11th minute when Bobby Linn blasted a free-kick from the edge of the box against the underside of the bar. The ball appeared to have crossed the line, but Jack Hamilton was on hand to make sure with a tap-in.
The Dumfries side were struggling to get a foothold in the game and, in the 22nd minute, found themselves further behind.
Jason Thomson burst into the box, but was bundled down by Rhys Breen and referee Gavin Duncan had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Mckenna coolly converted to put the Angus side well in control.
However, the visitors gradually began to claw their way back and, just after the half-hour mark, they reduced the deficit.
Rhys Mccabe sent a free-kick into the danger area and Obileye towered above everyone to send a thumping header beyond keeper Derek Gaston.
It was all square five minutes later, Connor Shields firing home after Gaston did well to beat away an earlier effort.
And Queens completed a sensational turnaround with the last kick of the opening period, substitute Awokoya-mebude getting on the end of a brilliant ball from Isaiah Jones to slot home at the far post.
Any hopes Dick Campbell’s side had of forcing a fightback were extinguished early in the second half when Obileye found himself free in the six-yard box and crashed the ball into the roof of the net.
Arbroath manager Dick Campbell was furious that his side threw away a tremendous advantage.
He said: “The first two goals we conceded made me very angry as we could have cleared the ball seven or eight times.
“We started the game well, but then stopped playing.
“We stopped doing the things we are good at.
“Maybe some of my players have been reading the papers and think they’re better than they are.
“I’ve told them, and I don’t think there’s much paint left on the dressing-room walls.
“However, we will sort it for next week.”
BAYERN MUNICH retained top spot in the Bundesliga after coming from two goals down at home to BORUSSIA DORTMUND.
It all started badly for the champions as Dortmund came flying out of the traps and were 2-0 up after just nine minutes, thanks to an Erling Haaland double.
It was officially timed at 8min 41sec – the quickest brace by an opposition player at the Allianz Arena in Bundesliga history.
Bayern, though, were back in the game when Robert Lewandowski pulled one back for the champions after 26 minutes. And it was a case of “anything you can do” when the Polish international restored parity from the penalty spot just before the break.
Mahmoud Dahoud brought Kingsley Coman down on the edge of the area and, after VAR verified the award, Lewandowski sent Marwin Hitz the wrong way for his 30th Bundesliga goal of the season.
Two late goals sealed it for the hosts.
On 88 minutes, Leon Goretzka put Bayern in front for the first time with a volley, then Lewandowski completed his hat-trick a few minutes later with a glorious shot into the corner of the net.
RB LEIPZIG picked up full dividend in their game to stay second, two points adrift, and Sporting Director Markus Krosche was very happy at his side’s 3-0 victory Bundesliga at SC FREIBURG.
The win took Leipzig to the top as Bayern played later in the evening.
“We did really well,”