It would be fair to say that it was two points lost today at Palmerston as a stuffy Stranraer side managed to snuff out the threat of a Queens side that failed to fire on all cylinders despite having the bulk of the play. In truth neither side managed to stamp their authority on the match and basically both defences had good days.
For the first half hour it seemed as if the ball never touched the surface, back and forward from head to head then usually over the stand and down the road, at one point an extra ball had to be brought from the stores to supplement the many that had left the ground on the end of a boot.
Queens were maintaining possession and keeper McGeown was well beaten as Denis Boyle crashed in a shot following a Sandy Hodge left side throw which found its way to Boyle on the right edge of the box. His well placed drive was somehow cleared off the line by a Stranraer defender who couldn't have known very much about the incident.
Half time saw no changes to either team, although after 65 minutes the usual substitution and formation change took place with Caldwell on, Adams off and Mallan pairing up with Hawke up front. Today though this move failed to change things as Stranraer ensured that both wings were well marshalled and that their line remained well forward.
Visiting keeper McGeown didn't look too confident with his clearances and almost lost his team a goal as one fell to Warren Hawke, as the keeper watched on Hawke sent in a shot which came off the post and saved McGeowns blushes.
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![[Second half action]](1803_02.jpg)
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