Willington Queens 3, Huntsman 2
By Craig Woodhead
Despite being unbeaten in the league this season, the Huntsman crashed out of another cup this weekend with a 3-2 defeat away to Willington Queen’s Head FC.
Manager Neil Dodds recalled Captain Lee Redpath and defender Ste Williams back into the side, as The Huntsman aimed to carry their impressive league form and turn it into Division 2 League Cup success.
The game got off to a relatively slow start, with the away side edging the opening exchanges and Michael Sproates going close to breaking the deadlock.
But it was Queens who went ahead when they won a free kick 35yards out for goal. It would have appeared from that distance that a cross was the most likely danger, but up stepped the Queen’s centre back who rifled home the free kick into the top right-hand corner.
A matter of five minutes later, Queen’s won another free kick, this time a lot closer to the edge of The Huntsman box. Up stepped the Willington centre back again, as this time his curled effort round the wall and beat Wintour in The Huntsman net.
The away side struggled to get into the game, which was being played in very cold and wet conditions. Just when it appeared as though they were going to go into the break without a goal, a powerful run by Ste Williams from right back got the score line back to 2-1.
That would have been a good half-time scoreline given the circumstances. However, the referee awarded Queen’s a dubious corner, which was whipped in hard at the front post and eluded everyone to give the home side a two goal cushion at the break.
The away side came out with a renewed purpose in the second half and certainly had the chances to get back in the game. A magnificent volley from substitute John Jamie Herd forced a top class save from the Queen’s keeper.
The Huntsman were given a glimmer of hope five minutes from time, as a good bit of work down the right by Paul Barnes gave Ste Williams a tap in for his second, but unfortunately it was too little too late.
Next up for The Huntsman is the rearranged Heart Foundation Cup tie, at home to Gainford Cross Keys, Simpasture Park, 10.30am kick-off.