Jackspot

Annan Athletic v Queen's Park
Challenge Cup, First Round
Saturday 25th July 2009, kick-off 3pm
Galabank Stadium, Annan

The Galabankies were hosting their first ever home fixture in the Challenge Cup as they began their second season as a league side. Visitors for the day were Queen's Park, two clubs that haven't met much in the past, only in a Scottish Cup tie twenty-odd years ago and in a pre-season friendly. It was to be my first visit to the Galabank Stadium, and Annan itself. It was also the start of the competitive action in Scotland this season as the Challenge Cup ties kicked off around the country.

A pre-match munch in the town, followed by a pre-match pint in the well priced social club was the build up for the main event, with the sun shining with barely a cloud in the sky, it was a beautiful day to start the season. The ground is very tidy with terracing all around with a stand on the far side with seating, the changing rooms were at the social club end behind the goals, which is pretty uncommon. Pitch looked to be in superb condition, although sloped to each sideline and could've done with being watered prior to kick-off as it looked a bit fiery.

Annan (or should that be Nanna?) boss Harry Cairney was without injured pair Scott Anson and Lee Hoolikin, but handed out débuts to Jack Steele, Lewis Sloan, David Cox and welcomed back Bryan Gilfillan. Spiders gaffer Gardner Speirs was without injured midfielders Tony Quinn and Ryan Holms. Also missing from the Glorious Hoops line-up was fireman Fergus Tiernan, who had work commitments, and club captain Richard Sinclair who was doing one of his hobbies, serving a suspension. Débuts were handed out to 'keeper Scott Black, Robert Walker in the back three, Chris Hamilton in midfield and striker Michael Daly, with Paul Burns and returning fans favourite Frankie Carroll on the bench.

The tie was to be played to a finish on the day, with extra-time and penalties a possibility, in the end it was settled by the latter without the need of the former. If truth be told it was a horrible game of football with very few chances, both teams struggled to get the ball down and play in the early stages. The score was opened just before the half hour mark when Annan winger Lewis Sloan was tackled in the box by Steven Reilly, referee Mike Tumilty pointed to the spot despite Sloan seemingly controlling the ball with his upper arm in the build up. Penalty expert Mike Jack stepped up to give the Galabankies the lead (below, left).

The second half produced very little in terms of entertainment either, although Queen's did have their two best efforts. Paul Harkins left his man for dead with a Maradona turn then flew his shot wide of the far post from the edge of the area and pacey frontman Ian Watt seen his goal bound effort cleared off the line after he got in behind the resolute Annan defence. Paul Burns came on for James Brough to make his début, and Frankie Carroll returned after two years out of the game, although played more in an unfamiliar midfield role as the Spiders failed to create any real chances.

Annan broke away late on after an advantage was played when Reilly hacked through the Galabankies striker, Reilly managed to get back in time to give away his second penalty of the afternoon in injury time. He received a yellow card for persistent fouling and Mike Jack did what he does best again (below, right). Reilly continued to vent his frustration at referee Tumilty and was then sent-off on what was a disastrous day for himself and Queen's Park.

Annan progress to the second round and next travel the length of the country to play Inverness Caledonian Thistle in their League Cup first round tie with league duties commencing the following weekend. Queen's continue to forget where the net is, with that now being just the single goal from the last seven competitive outings. Next Saturday brings together the clash of the Queen's as Queen of the South travel to Hampden Park for their League Cup encounter.

Match reports can be found on the Annan Athletic, Queen's Park and Un-official Queen's Park websites, as well as a small BBC report. Match photos can be found on Un-official Queen's Park website here.

Result: Annan Athletic 2-0 Queen's Park

Line-ups
Annan Athletic: Summersgill, Muirhead, McBeth, Watson, Neilson, Jack, Steele, Gilfillan, Cox (Bell), Storey (S. Sloan), L. Sloan.
Queen's Park: Black, Ure (Carroll), Douglas, Reilly, Brough (Burns), Walker, Hamilton, Capuano, Daly (Murray), Harkins, Watt.

Goalscorer(s)
Annan Athletic: Mike Jack (2 pens)
Queen's Park: none

Attendance: 411

Queen's Park Supporters Bus Player of the Day: Chris Hamilton