Match Details
Annan Athletic V Queen Of The South
Match Report
Annan kicked off their pre season friendlies entertaining local neighbours Queen of the South at Galabank on Tuesday evening and it was the Queens who won the match in a highly entertaining game for both sets of fans.
It was the first test for new Annan manager Peter Murphy to see at first hand against quality opposition the squad of players he is in the process of casting an eye over and although Annan were beaten they gave a good account of themselves against a Queens side who had a couple of players in particular who caught the eye in Stephen Dobbie and Derek Lyle.
Dobbie grabbed himself a hat trick and was the star act as the Queens also prepare themselves for the new season.
Annan started very well and inside 10 minutes Barry Cuddihy volleyed the Galabankies in front with a stunning volley from 15 yards which gave keeper Alan Martin little or no chance. Dobbie grabbed his first goal on the half hour mark when the Queens won a free kick on the edge of the box and although Dobbie’s free kick took a slight deflection of the Annan wall it was a well struck free kick.
Ten minutes later Dobbie picked the ball up mid way in his half and with plenty of space the striker drove forward finishing with a superb shot which thundered into the back of the net from the edge of the box.
Queens increased their lead minutes later when a Raffi Krissian defelected the ball past Annan’s trialist keeper to give the doonhamers a comfortable 3-1 half time lead.
Dobbie rounded off a good evenings performance early in the second half when a good queens move carved open the Annan defence and Dobbie homed in to finish with another well struck low shot into the corner of the net. Both teams made a host of changes in the second half, Annan’s marque signing Ryan Stevenson was introduced along with ex Queens players Owen Moxon and Scott Hooper who showed up well as did a couple of trialists.
Annan boss Peter Murphy was more than happy with the way his team equipped themselves, “we are endeavouring to play a passing game pressing from the font and I was encouraged by the way we played against a very competent Queen of the South team.”
Annan now move on to the Gretna tournament where they play Workington this Saturday kick off 3-30pm.
Annan – Trailist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Krissian, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Smith, Trialist, Omar.Subs all introduced Mitchell GK, Trialist, Moxon, Stevenson, Hooper, Traialist , Rutkiewicz.
Queens – Martin, Rooney,Marshall, Fordyce, Brownlie,Tapping,Stirling,Lyle,Dykes,Dobbie, Jacobs. Subs all introduced Leighfield,Merceer, Rankin, Trialist, Akubuine, Murray and Bell.
Referee – Steven Kirkland
Assistants – Ross Haswell and David Burns.