Hopes of qualification ended

Queen of the South 2

QUEEN of the South ended County Down’s feint hopes of progressing to the Milk Cup proper at Roe Mill on Tuesday afternoon.

The locals made a positive start despite the heavy conditions. Good work down the right flank by Jody McGovern after eight minutes led to an opening for Nicholas Turkington whose effort sailed over the target.

County Down had to re-jig their formation when striker James Coffey was forced off with a thigh injury, to be replaced by Adam Salley.

Turkington had another half-chance two minutes later. His shot however was deflected for a corner.

Queen of the South had their first sight of goal after 22 minutes. Alastair Berry cut in from the left flank, forcing Conor Hazard into a smart save at his near post.

Matthew Dempster replaced Ryan Noble-Walker at half-time and made an instant impact - shooting narrowly over from just outside the box.

County Down should have opened the scoring after 37 minutes. Dylan Power picked out Turkington who couldn’t make the most of Down’s best opportunity, and the chance went begging.

Queen of the South took full advantage by scoring immediately after. Berry crossed from the right for Dean Brotherston to send a bullet header past Hazard.

Both sides traded long-range efforts until Queen of the South sealed the points with a second goal with a minute of normal time to play. Full-back Richard Murray sent a speculative delivery into the area which Down keeper Hazard uncharacteristically misjudged. The ball ending up in the County Down net.

Team: Hazard, Martyn, Brownlee, Noble-Walker, Byers, Power, McGovern, Drylie, Turkington, Coffey, Johnston. Subs: Walsh, Dempster, Tate, Gray, McAnespie, Salley, Ward.