Reaction

“The Wasps” gained their first point on the road this season, but it was at a cost, with Eddie Ferns likely to be sidelined for a couple months after fracturing his jaw in a collision with Queen’s keeper Calum Antell. In a game where there was little direct saves for either keeper to make, the visitors, Alloa Athletic came the closest to scoring in a game where one goal was likely to be enough to secure the victory. Andy Kirk was the man who went closest to scoring, firstly with a header in early in the game and later he had a net bound shot which needed to be tipped round the post. Paul Hartley gave a debut in the second half to 19 year old Alex Salmon who has joined the club on loan from Carlisle United, the youngster showed flashes and good speed in a game he only met his new team mates prior to kick-off at Dumfries.

paul hartley at dumfries

Is it a good away point or an opportunity missed? A bit of both, we got no shortage of effort but chances were limited. It was not a classic game, we did well, being away from home, and it was another clean sheet for us, we have a real strong mentality at the way we defend as a team, there was not many clear cut chances today, but we probably had the best of them, however I think it was a better away point for us and our first point on the road this season.  I think we have started the season pretty well.  Following the mid-week game against Aberdeen which went to extra time and penalties I think our players kept going and their attitude was again fantastic, to not get beaten, which we showed again today, we defended really well, we tried to break in numbers and we tried to pass the ball even though it was not a classic game it was probably a better point for us than Queen of the South being the home team. Unfortunately I think Eddie Ferns will need to go to hospital as he possibly has a broken jaw, young Alex Salmon, the young lad that came in did well.  I think we have a strong enough squad at the moment and will look to get more players in January time if necessary.  We have a great group of players there that work so hard for each other- to go to Aberdeen through the week play 90 minutes and then extra time we had a clean sheet and that is what we are calling the clean sheet mentality.  I said to the guys at half time maybe one goal will win the game both teams tried to have a go and get the goal.  I will now give the players plenty of time off as I think they deserve it, they have played well, we will train on Tuesday and then they will be off for a short spell.