In keeping with the previous two meetings between the clubs Queens finished the match with three goals scored, this time however Stirling Albion managed to notch three themselves. Indeed it looked almost hopeless for Queens after only eighteen minutes by which time the Beano's had raced into a three goals to one lead, courtesy of a penalty and a dreadful Andy Aitken.
In amongst the carnage Queens had notched a goal themselves when the score was only one nil, George Rowe having a clear header from a right sided corner. As is customary however Queens relinquished this hard earned equaliser only a minute later when Andy Aitken, in a moment of madness, attempted to pass back to John Hillcoat, his effort was woefully short and Paul McGrillen was on hand to pick it up and slot it home despite the brave attempts made by Hillcoat.
Worse was to come as again Aitken lost possession in midfield and the ball was played across the stretched defence and onto the toe of giant striker Ally Graham who had the easiest of jobs to tap the ball in.
You may be forgiven for thinking that Queens had started poorly, on the contrary, a number of good chances had gone abegging which could easily have seen Queens three up before the visitors had even scored.
What was clear however was that the scoring was not finished as even at 3-1 Queens looked dominant and were forcing Stirling to play on the break, although the score was not to change until after half time.
The teams returned from the half time break and a similar pattern emerged, Stirling sat deep and Queens attempted to break them down. The partnership of Mallan and Adams was not being particularly successful and indeed it took the introduction of youngster Chris Strain, making his first League appearance, to inject a bit more urgency upfront.
Almost as soon as the substitution was made Queens pulled a goal back, the ball was played through the middle and as both Strain and Mallan ran through the defence, Stevie just managed to get the neatest of touches on the ball to divert it over keeper Gardiners head and into the back of the net. Stevie is congratulated below.
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![[Mallan celebrates his goal]](2509_04.jpg)
![[Harvey celebrates his goal]](2509_03.jpg)
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