Queens go down fighting in Denmark

Aug 29 2008 by John Ballard, Dumfries Standard Friday

QUEENS’ European dream died in Denmark – but it wasn’t extinguished without a fight.

A stunning strike from Bob Harris in the second minute levelled the tie at 2-2 on aggregate and sent the hundreds of travelling Doonhamers inside FC Nordsjaelland’s stadium wild with delight.

But two late goals from the hosts cruelly denied Queens a place in the UEFA Cup first round proper.

Despite the defeat boss Gordon Chisholm was full of praise for his team.

“It was disappointing to go out but I think the tie was lost in the first leg,” he said.

“We knew it was going to be very difficult but we had to go there and give it everything and I think the lads did that.

“We could easily have settled for a one nil win but that wasn’t going to be good enough so we just had to go for it and unfortunately it didn’t happen.

“Especially in the first half we played really well and created chances, but we probably could have done with a wee bit of luck to get through.”

After going down to a 2-1 defeat in the home leg at Airdrie’s Excelsior stadium, Queens knew they would need an early goal to have any chance of making it into the next round – and Bob Harris’ 25-yard screamer got them off to the perfect start.

Teed-up from a free-kick he gave the FC Nordsjaelland goalkeeper no chance with the left foot strike that was destined for the top corner as soon as it left his boot.

Once in the lead Queens completely dominated the first half by linking play superbly in midfield and creating pressure up-front, with Sean O’Connor a constant thorn in Nordsjaelland’s side.

Unfortunately though, despite the dominance, a second goal proved elusive and the visitors went in just 1-0 up at half-time.

The second half however, proved a different story with the Danes much improved after the break and Queens knowing they had to push for another or face going out on the away goals rule.

In the end it was pressing for another goal that cost the Doonhamers the tie as the impressive Bernburg secured it 4-2 on aggregate by scoring in the 85th and 90th minutes when Queens were pushing just about every man forward.

As well as praising his players, Chisholm also singled out the 850 Queens’ fans for the way they backed their team.

He said: “I thought the fans were magnificent. They created such a good atmosphere and they were making more noise than the home supporters.”

Teams

FC Nordsjaelland: Hansen, Kibebe, Kildentoft, Lundberg, Simon Richter, Bernier, Jonathan Richter, Christensen (Neilsen 89), Petersen (Fetai 69), Karlsen (Dahl 46), Bernburg.

Subs not used: Pode, Storm, Pedersen, Theis Rasmussen.

Queen of South: Bell, Reid, Harris, Thomson, Barr, MacFarlane (Robertson 80), Tosh, Adams (Dobbie 64), Burns, O'Connor, Kean (McQuilken 70). Subs not used: Halliwell, Aitken, McGowan, McLaughlan.