QUEEN of the SOUTH ( U19s)  5 NEWTON STEWART(U19s)  0

John McNaught reporting from Palmerston Park

Newton Stewart enjoyed a narrow one goal victory Scottish Youth Cup first round tie against Dalbeattie Star to set up this second round contest against Queen of the South at Palmerston Park on Sunday.   This contest though was a step too far for the Wigtownshire side as they were defeated by five goals to nil against a strong and experienced Queens side although to be fair to the visitors they gave their all and the scoreline did not reflect the endeavour that they put into the match.

The early period of the match was fairly even and it took ten minutes before Ross Drysdale in the Newton goal was brought into action when he had to be alert to tip away a cross come shot from Ian McShane.  Four minutes later the keeper then pulled off a superb stop from the same player to keep his goal intact.  The visitors then had a good spell with Dean McColm going close as Newton began too press further upfield.  Queens then began to dictate play with their experience and team work showing through and from a corner on the right central defender Steven Black rose head and shoulders above the Newton defence but his header went wide of the target which was a let off for the visitors.   The inevitable happened though four minutes later when Ryan Smillie scored his first of a first half brace,  After beating two defenders the player made space to smack the ball goal wards from the edge of the eighteen yard box giving keeper Drysdale no chance. Queens piled on the pressure but some good defending at the heart of the Newton defence kept the home side at bay with keeper Drysdale making a good save from an Adam Dougan header following another corner on the right.  However five minutes before the break Queens took a two goal lead when Drysdale failed to hold a shot and Smillie was on hand to tuck the loose ball into the net.

Queens were a constant danger at corners and just after the re-start Black almost headed his sides third but again just missed the target.   In the fifty first minute though Blacks endeavour was rewarded when he headed home at the back post following another corner from the right hand side to score goal number three.  In the sixty fifth minute substitute David Green found himself unmarked and running in on goal he attempted to round keeper Drysdale but the young stopper made an excellent save at his feet to thwart the danger.  A minute later at the other end Gavin Williamson saw his effort from forty yards flash past the upright which indicated that the visitors had not given up hope.

Fitness though began to tell and with the Newton youngsters tiring Queens looked like adding to their goal tally and with eight minutes left to play another corner kick from the right caused them problems.  The ball was only cleared as far as Black about fifteen yards out and he made no mistake for the fourth goal as he fiercely curled it into the net. Deep into injury time McShane struck a superb strike from twenty five yards to see his side go nap.

Best for a very good young Queens side were youth internationalist Steven Black, defender Adam Dougan, forward Ryan Smillie and midfielder Paul McCann with Ross Drysdale excelling in the visitors goals with no chance with any of the goals which were lost, central defenders Lewis Richardson and Graham Thom with Gavin Williamson and Keiron Jolly showing up well.

Queen of the South; Rajovic, Reilly, Fleming, McCann, Black, Dougan, Orsi, McShane, Degnan, Smillie, Solley; Subs; Boyd, McKinlay, Paterson, McGowan and Green.

Newton Stewart; Drysdale, Walsh, Williamson, Thom, Richardson, McClymont, Jolly, McKie, McColm, Fitzimmons, Smith, Subs; Flannigan and Crosbie.

Referee – Rod Williamson – Dumfries

Attendance 75.+-