Reaction

Alloa Athletic continued their good run of form with an impressive victory at the National Stadium. The Wasps started brightly and took the lead after only nine minutes when Ryan McCord presented Kevin Cawley the chance inside the box and the striker opened the scoring. On 28 minutes he was to double his tally for the day with a great solo goal, curling a effort past the outstretched home keeper. Although Alloa were on top Queen’s to their credit always looked to play their own style of football making it a very open game. Kevin Cawley could have scored his hatrick, then Graeme Holmes missed an even easier chance. Michael Doyle did increase the score by adding the third goal before substitute Tony Quinn diverted a Jamie Longworth shot past Scott Bain for a late consolation goal.

paul hartley after hampden win

We were delighted to earn another three points today and in doing so managed to score three goals away from home. Queens Park are a good footballing team and like to play a similar way to ourselves, we are happy and want to keep the run going, that is three victories in our last three league games which is pleasing. Kevin Cawley managed to get our opening two goals before I had to take him off as he and Graeme Holmes had been feeling the effects of flu all week. Kevin was again terrific for us as he has been since the start of the season, his work rate if phenomenal he doesn’t just go forward and stand there but comes back and chases and harries and he got his reward with the two goals. I keep saying to him, even if you miss chances in other games you have to persevere to get your rewards. Kevin is a very talented player and he has been a bit unlucky – but we could see the qualities he could bring to the club, I knew that when I signed him – having worked with him at Celtic and I think he can only get better. In football management you live for a Saturday – we train on a Tuesday and a Thursday which is great, but when Saturday comes it is the real stuff and that’s what I live for! It’s a results based business and I know I will be able to sleep tonight! That’s the way football management goes no matter what level you are at, be it in the Premier League or the Third Division. Managers are under so much pressure to get a result but for myself we just need to keep winning games, it is so more enjoyable and I will enjoy this evening after that result and display.