Annan Athletic 0-5 QoS

Jul 13 2008 Brian Welsh At Galabank

ANNAN chairman Henry McClelland yesterday revealed life has been "pandemonium" since his club were elevated to the Scottish League. And his list of things to do before the big kick-off in three weeks will keep him busier than Cristiano Ronaldo's agent this summer.

McClelland even had to take on the duties of stadium announcer because the regular man is on holiday. But he wouldn't have enjoyed announcing the score after this friendly collapse against Queens.

Annan's last competitive game was an end-of-season 1-1 draw with Whitehill Welfare in front of just 200 fans in the first weekend of last month.

Yesterday, they were turned over by a team competing in the UEFA Cup and in a fortnight Rangers arrive for a match to open the new stand at Galabank.

The real action starts when they make their SFL bow at Cowdenbeath and seven days later will welcome Stenhousemuir when they will be expecting a 3500-capacity crowd.

McClelland isn't fazed about the busy spell since the historic vote 10 days ago took Annan to a new level.

He said: "It has been absolute pandemonium since that day. I have great memories of it.

"When manager Harry Cairney returns from holiday this weekend it will be crazy with so many trialists to look at in the next two weeks.

"But the team that runs out against Rangers on July 26 will be totally different to the one that ended last season. And should we land one of the Old Firm at home in the Scottish Cup we will do everything to keep the tie here. It's what the town deserves."

Queens hadn't kicked a ball in anger since that heroic performance against Rangers in May's Scottish Cup Final.

Boss Gordon Chisholm fielded a strong side, with Gary O'Conner and Stephen Dobbie supported by new signing Stewart Kean up front and the ever-menacing Stevie Tosh just behind.

Annan were organised and resilient in the first half but Queens' class told 45 seconds after the restart when Tosh side footed home Dobbie's diagonal pass.

It was 2-0 and game over seven minutes later when Kean tapped home after O'Conner's header from a Dobbie cross came back off the post.

Dobbie got the goal his play deserved 16 minutes from time.

Rob Harris hit Queens' fourth and Dobbie was on target again with a couple of minutes to go.

Queens boss Chisholm said: "That was a fine workout and there were some good goals.

"I'm sure Annan will be an asset to the SFL. They're well run with a good set-up and I'm delighted for them."

team sheet

ANNAN: Somersgill 7 (Adamson 45, 5), Watson 6, Inglis 6, Hill 6, Ruddick 6, Jack 6, Swan 6, Jardine 6 (Dunglinson 45, 5), Hoolickin 6, Johnstone 6 (Norval 77, 3), Grainger 6 (Walker 60, 4). Subs not used: Calder. QOS: Halliwell 6, Barr 6, Harris 7, McFarlane 7 (Robertson 68, 4), Thomson 7 (Aitken 68, 4), Reid 6, Burns 6 (Adams 68, 4), Tosh 8, O'Conner 5 (McQuilken 58, 4), Dobbie