Johnston praises Queens stars after gruelling week

Nov 28 2012 by Andrew Burns, Dumfries & Galloway Standard

Allan Johnston praised his high-flying Queens stars after they secured maximum points in a potentially tricky three-game week.

The Doonhamers wrapped up nine points out of nine on Saturday with a hard fought 2-0 win over Ayr United at Palmerston.

Goals in either half from Ryan McGuffie and Nicky Clark sealed the win for the Dumfries men, which followed two lengthy trips up north just days earlier, and maintains the nine-point gap over Alloa Athletic.

“To put on a performance like that after two tough away trips to Arbroath and Forfar is very pleasing,” a delighted Johnston said after Saturday’s win.

“We could quite easily have been flat today after the exploits during the week.

“But the boys deserve a lot of credit for the way they approached the game.

“It was a real team performance.”

United manager Mark Roberts concedes that his side already look to be out of the race for the Second Division title with only 13 games played.

“We aren’t going to gain 18 points on this Queen of the South side and that’s a fact,” said player-boss Roberts, whose team fell 18 points behind Queens after Saturday’s result.

“I think all of the teams, from Alloa downwards, are going to be fighting for the play-off positions.

“Queens are full-time, have a bigger budget and they deserve to be where they are.

“They look like running away with this league and I think everyone can see that they are going to win it.

“They’ve got 11 wins in 13 games, you can’t grumble with that.”

As well as the massive advantage over United, the win puts Queens on 35 points after just 13 games - the same tally Gretna had racked up at this stage when they strolled to the title in 2005/06.

Defender McGuffie, who scored the opener on Saturday, won all three SFL titles with Gretna between 2004 and 2007 and is positive that his Queens team has all the attributes to land this season’s crown.

He said: “We’ve got that winning habit and we are full of confidence going into every game,” said McGuffie, who scored the opener in Queens’ win over Ayr United on Saturday.

“This team is full of fresh, young players who are hungry to progress in the game.

“You need a blend of that youth and experience and we have got that in our team.”