Child’s play for Spiders
Shields hits two as boss hails Healy scoring bow
Owen Coyle hailed kid winger Aaron Healy who marked his first league start for Queen’s Park with a goal as the Spiders stormed four points clear at the summit.
The 20-year-old joined in January from Arthurl ie where he had dropped into part-time football after failing to make the grade at the Celtic and St Mirren academies.
Healy was a bright spark in an impressive attacking display from Queen’s which saw Connor Shields grab a double and Jack Thomson also on target as they brought relegation- threatened Accies’ recent revival to a shuddering halt.
Gaffer Coyle said: “This is a kid who w was playing in the sixth tier of Scottish Sc football but we will give people pe a chance.
“We have no fear if we think they are a good enough.
“We want creative, exciting players – and Aaron is that.
“The longer the game went, the more he grew into it. You could see his confidence and his quality.
“He’s a throwback player. In the final third, he’ll go at people and take them on. “What he needs to learn is the other side of the game. We wi l l teach him that. These things take time and he’s so exciting.
“He’s a lovely kid and I am pleased for Aaron to get the goal as he has something tangible for his debut.”
Accies were made to pay for missing a glorious early chance which saw Dylan McGowan fire over from close range.
Queen’s Park went in front in the 30th minute when Thomson drove the ball home after great build-up play from Marcel Oakley.
Calum Ferrie denied Accies an equaliser with a brilliant save from Connor Smith just before half-time and the Spiders took control after the break.
Healy forced home his first ever senior goal despite Dan O’Reilly’s attempt to clear his shot off the line before on-loan Motherwell striker Shields made it 3- 0 with a smart finish after some dazzling play from the outstanding Dom Thomas.
Sub Dario Zanatta pulled one back for Accies but any hope they had of staging a comeback ended when Shields f licked home his second goal of the afternoon from another Thomas assist.
Accies boss John Rankin, who’s side now face a huge relegation clash at home to Arbroath next Friday night, said: “I’m more disappointed with the performance more than the result.
“We l a c k e d e n e r g y a nd enthusiasm at times.
“We looked leggy. I felt the spirit that has been there for the last seven or eight weeks was lacking today when we went a goal down.
“That’s one good run ended, now we have to go on another one.
“We have another huge game next week and we have to try and get maximum points.
“I’m 100 per cent sure that spirit will be ready to go again.”