Thursday afternoon saw the u20's squad head to Cumbria to take on their counterparts from Carlisle United in their latest friendly match. The match began pretty evenly with neither side managing to create much in the way of openings but as time moved on Queens began to get on top. It took a good save from the home keeper to prevent Declan Tremble giving us the lead from Rhys Evans' cut back. A few minutes later Declan again went close when a snapshot narrowly went wide. However half time was reached with no scoring and little to worry Jack Leighfield in goal.
The deadlock was broken ten minutes into the second period when good work down the right led to another Evans cross which would probably have been tapped in at the back post by Murray, only for a Carlisle defender to turn it into his own net in trying to get a block in.
On 68 minutes came the goal everyone who was there ended up talking about.. A long kick clear from Queens keeper Jack Leighfield was taken out of the air by Connor Murray who backheel flicked it up and over his own head before striking it on the volley past the Carlisle keeper into the top corner of the net from about 40 yards! It was a simply outstanding piece of individual skill.
Queens had chances to make it three but were thwarted by good goaleeping, something also in evidence from Queens sub keeper Cameron Copland when he pulled off three blocks in the last five minutes to preserve the clean sheet.
Queens Team:
1 J Leighfield, 2 J Brannan, 3 S Glean, 4 O Bell, 5 J Thompson, 6 R Murray, 7 R Nelson, 8 C Murray, 9 D Tremble, 10 R Hogg, 11 R Evans
Subs: 21 C Copland, 14 A Sonkur, 15 A Uphill, 16 R Miller, 17 B White
The 20's are likely to make up most of the squad heading to Workington on Tuesday evening along with some fringe first team players whilst the next official 20's friendly comes on Thursday when they are away to Cumnock Juniors who will potentially feature Paul Burns and Stephen McKenna.