Our walking football team headed to Carlisle yesterday for their latest matches in the Cumberland League, playing five games during the day.

Game 1 - QOS v Whitehaven

Queens started very strongly with good interplay but a serious of missed chances flattered Whitehaven whose goal was under siege for almost the entire first half. Instead of being well ahead, a break of the ball fell for Whitehaven and an unpunished run past Rob Clark, on the stroke of half time saw Whitehaven lead 1-0. While Whitehaven were solid in defense, Queens started the second half strongly and were level almost immediately with a fine Neil McQuiston strike. It was then pretty much one-way traffic with Queens finally winning the game 4-1, with further goals from McQuiston, Iain Mitchell and Robert McAuley. This could have been double figures against a very decent side but it was a fine recovery to turn this game round.

Game 2 - QoS v Workington Reds.

Up next was a usually strong Workington Red side. Despite having some defending to do Queens started strongly and went one nil up through a fine McAuley strike. As expected, Workington had several shots on goal but these were saved and it looked like that was how this game would finish but for bit of bad luck in the last minute when the ball was bobbling about in front of goal. As often happens it fell to the wrong feet and Workington Reds managed to draw level. Queens should have been able to see this one out but it was nevertheless a great result against another very good side.

Game 3 - QoS v Penrith

Game three saw the side face Penrith and again Queens started strongly but struggled to find the net. With a new referee, who did well to apply all the rules picking up almost all infringements. With both teams on three runs it was Queens who conceded a penalty on the fourth award. The penalty was well saved and Queens continued to press and deservedly went ahead through a great finish by McQuiston. With Queens coasting and having cleared their penalty list it should have finished 1 - 0 however the referee applied a new rule on a clear Queens break when he stopped the game to award another penalty to Penrith. He explained that he felt there was contact made by Mitchell on the last defender which came as a great surprise to everyone and he adjudged it was a fourth challenge hence he awarded a penalty. Again, the keeper got down to his right and got his hands on the ball but it somehow squirmed into the net to make it one all. Leaving the team feeling they were robbed of two points.

Game 4 - QOS v Workington Blues.

This was against a very good Workington blue team (who incidentally beat their Red counterparts 4-2). Queens took the game to them with some excellent control and passing and took the lead thanks to another fine goal from McQuiston. They controlled the game until a mistake at the back let the Workington No 10 through for a clear strike at goal and he rarely misses. Queens started strongly again in the second half and whilst there was some defending to do Mitchell broke in on goal to restore the advantage. It proved to be the winning goal as Queens claimed the win 2-1.

Game 5 -QOS v Carlisle Greens

The final game was against Carlisle Greens. It was a match that Queens dominated for large portions of the game but finding the goal was a challenge. However, in the second half Chris O’Toole broke through one on one with the Carlisle Cat. He somehow lost his marker who seemed to lose his footing and found himself lying in a pile on the ground. Chris steadied himself from the impact and with superb control coolly stroked the ball home. Queens continued to dominate and another fine strike by player of the day, McQuiston earned Queens another win this time by two goals to nil.

 

With three wins and two draws (one of which should have been a win) it was Queens best performance in the Cumberland League. Although only a few have been mentioned by name in the reports, everyone played well as they held on to the ball, moved as a unit and played well as a team. A great team performance but Neil McQuiston was the player of the day with five goals.

Team: Tom Gordon (GK), Keith Brown, Rob Clark, Iain Mitchell, Neil McQuiston, Robert McAuley, Stevie Smith & Chris O’Toole