Queen's fail to dethrone Anne's
ST.ANNE'S STAYED at the top of Division One after nearest rivals Queen's failed to convert second-half pressure into a winner in this scrappy top of the table clash.
Neither side lived up to their lofty league placing, but after Pete Baker had cancelled out Mark Siddall's first-half strike for the hosts, Queen's were left thinking they might have grabbed all three points following a second period in which Anne's failed to muster a single shot on goal.
Openings were few and far between throughout a largely forgettable match, and it was the defenders rather than forward players who caught the eye.
An even first twenty minutes saw half chances for both teams, but shots by Gareth Marsh and Pete Baker from the edge of the Anne's area lacked the power to trouble keeper John Burke. Similarly, Richard Murray's snap-shot on the turn following Richard Murphy's ball into the box was comfortably gathered by John Morton in the Queen's goal.
Murray had an even better chance to give his side the lead on 22 minutes, racing onto Dave Noble's long ball over the top, but his attempt to lob the on-rushing Morton from the edge of the box flew high and wide.
Anne's improved as the half went on, slowly starting to exert more pressure on the visitors' back-line, without ever really carving out any chances or testing keeper Morton.
There was relief all round therefore, when they finally made the break-through on 39 minutes. Steve Williams sent a dangerous ball into the Queen's box, and although the bounce ensured it evaded intended target Paul Irving, captain Siddall arrived to slot home at the far post.
Queen's pushed forward straight from the re-start, and it was they who generally emerged from a scrappy and congested midfield battle to launch attacks. Indeed, Anne's seemed quite happy to sit back and defend their advantage, their forays into the Queen's half growing more and more infrequent.
The visitors might have levelled on 54 minutes, defender John Dignan picking out Neil Condran in space on the right of the Anne's box. Condran lobbed the advancing Burke, only to see the ball drift agonisingly the wrong side of the left-hand post.
Minutes later, Stuart Hunter's cross from the left fell to Matt Baker at the edge of the area, who lofted the ball over Burke, but also narrowly over the bar.
Queen's well-deserved equaliser finally arrived on 66 minutes, the Anne's defence failing to deal with the danger as Dignan launched a free-kick into the box from his own half. The ball was only half-cleared, and fell to Baker, who hooked home into the top left-hand corner from twelve yards.
It was now anyone's game, but it was Queen's who had the attacking momentum and looked more likely to snatch a winner. Whilst the hosts' strike-pairing of Irving and Murray offered mobility and flashes of skill, they lacked the physical presence to unnerve an assured visitors defence.
Queen's huffed and puffed in the Anne's half, but were unable to capitalise on their territorial advantage with a telling final ball. Their only real chance came when Baker poked the ball through to Stefan Sadnicki, whose hurried shot from twelve yards was gathered by Burke at the second attempt. Finally Anne's survived vociferous appeals for a penalty in the last minute, when Condran appeared to be clattered as he broke into the area.
After a second half in which his side seemed to tire, it was Anne's skipper Mark Siddall who was happier with the point. But it was a point which will have little bearing in the end of season promotion stakes unless both teams can instil more guile and fire-power.
by Rob Devey
Sports Editor
23rd Nov 2000