Gaffer gets what he asked for
A FIRST Challenge Cup group win and a clean bill of health was exactly what Peter Murphy would’ve asked for before Tuesday night’s contest. And the Queens gaffer got just that. Yes, there were a few scares along the way including Clyde’s leveller and right back Mikey Hewitt suffering an impact injury (thankfully Hewitt is expected to be fine for Saturday’s league encounter with Kelty). Murphy has been honest with how he’s not a fan of the new cup group format. And going by Tuesday night at Palmerston Park – and for that matter across the whole of the country – the supporters agree with that opinion. Less than 500 punters were inside Palmy as the Dumfries outfit got back to winning ways after a 0-0 draw in the league against Stenny last Saturday. Despite naming a strong side, it was the League Two side who threatened early doors. Winger James Hilton’s fierce effort from 20 yards was just a smidge over the bar. But it didn’t take long for the home side to starting motoring along and dominate the cup clash. Midfielder Ben Johnstone had his shot cleared off the line by a scrambling defender. Then the exciting Cole Burke had two bites at the cherry. His first was straight into the defender but the ball fell back to the Killie youngster and he unleashed a vicious shot that stung Brian Kinnear’s paws. Burke continued to get into dangerous positions and once he turned his marker his effort fizzled inches wide. But the Doonhamers did get their deserved opener moments later. It was brilliant build-up play from the home side. Liam Smith played an ace through ball to big Kurtis Guthrie. The forward timed his run to perfection and produced a delicate dink over the advancing Kinnear and into the net. Queens could smell blood and were on the hunt for a quick-fire second. Reece Lyon used his strength and skill to brush off Craig Howie before his low shot whistled past the post. Then Jack Stott was close to scoring a Palmerston all-timer when his corner had to be tipped away by Kinnear. Just before the interval, Queens broke forward with Lyon feeding Burke and perhaps he could’ve pulled the trigger on several occasions before he did but he forced Kinnear into a fine save. But Clyde levelled inside 60 seconds of the second period. Ross Stewart looked to collect a low ball, but somehow the ball ended up at the feet of Scott Williamson and he bundled home. It was a mini-scare again but Queens got back to business. Guthrie thought he had bagged a double when his eight-yard header looked destined for the top corner. However, Kinnear pulled off a a worldie of a save and tipped over the bar. From the resulting corner, the ball fell to Burke on the edge of the box and his first-time shot was blocked. But Queens did get their noses in front for a second time and there’s no surprises who got it. Taylor Charters bombed down the left, cut inside and squared to Guthrie who only needed to put his foot out and tap in for his sixth goal in nine games. And the hitman was close to a hat-trick when Lyon laid the ball back to him inside the box but his shot was blocked. Charters wrapped the points up as he tucked his shot into the bottom corner. [caption id="attachment_62387" align="alignnone" width="488"]
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