Disappointing start to 2015 as students hand out rough lesson

2015 started in disappointing fashion for Glebe Rangers as they slumped to a comprehensive 4-0 reverse at the hands of Queens University on Saturday afternoon suffering their first defeat in five league games, and in doing so, also missing the opportunity to leapfrog their opponents in the league table.
DROP BALL. Glebe players put the Queens' keeper under pressure after he dropped the ball following a corner during their game on Saturday at the Riada Stadium.INBM1-15 018SC.DROP BALL. Glebe players put the Queens' keeper under pressure after he dropped the ball following a corner during their game on Saturday at the Riada Stadium.INBM1-15 018SC.
DROP BALL. Glebe players put the Queens' keeper under pressure after he dropped the ball following a corner during their game on Saturday at the Riada Stadium.INBM1-15 018SC.

Peter Spratt returned to the starting eleven for Glebe but even his experience was unable to deny the visitors who opened the scoring with an 11th minute strike from Daniel Culbert.

The midfielder seized on a loose ball before unleashing an effort from fully 30 yards to put the students one up. A slip in the Queen’s defence presented an opportunity to Nicholl but the frontman was unable to capitalise and it was the visitors who almost increased their lead when Ryan Murphy cut in from the left and saw his long-range thunderbolt strike the crossbar.

The busy McDowell produced a right wing cross which was missed by Queen’s custodian Brown as Glebe pressed for an equaliser, however a combination of the visitor’s defenders prevented Kennoway getting a shot away and in the 33rd minute it was 2-0.

Murphy again came in from his left wing berth, drifted past a couple of defenders, but this time his shot from nestled in the corner of the net to give the students a two goal cushion which they almost added to five minutes later when Murphy played in Sean Walsh who was denied by McIlveen.

Glebe had their closest effort of the game when Ian Christie saw his volley from 20 yards rattle the crossbar with Brown beaten but half-time arrived with the visitors two goals to the good.

Glebe displayed a degree of urgency at the start of the second half, and were denied a penalty when Nicholl appeared to have been impeded by Brown. McDowell and Christie combined well but there weren’t any takers for the latter’s inviting cross and the game was over as a contest in the 64th minute. Murphy’s cross was met by Adam Robinson whose header was stopped by Adam McVicker on the goal-line. However, the fall fell kindly for substitute Stephen McDowell to slot home and end any hopes of a Glebe comeback.

As the game tailed off McIlveen was called on to prevent further efforts from Walsh and Laverty before Murphy had the final say with the goal having a familiar theme. The left winger again picked the ball up in coming in his normal position before dribbling in from the flank and placing an effort past McIlveen.

Glebe Rangers: McIlveen, Dobbin, Shaw, Sheppard, Spratt, Marks, Morrison, Kennoway, Nicholl Christie, McDowell. Subs: A McVicker, Wilson, Hume