16/10/04 - Queens Park AFC 2004 Prizegiving Recipients...

Beullens Trophy - Cory Johnson
Ross Corcoran Cup - Jamie Sharpe
Conduct Cup - Kyle & Frank Boekhout
Golden Boot - Juan Rudolph
First Team Player of the Year - Craig Campbell
First Team Most Improved Player - Juan Rudolph
Second Team Player of the Year - Glen Williams
Second Team Most Improved Player - Luke Hayward

26/09/04 - A Reminder the Queens Park Prizegiving is on the 16/10/04.  7:30pm Saturday night at the Ascot Park Hotel, all players, partners, parents, family, and supporters welcome.

23/09/04 - A Reminder the Southland Soccer Prizegiving is on the 02/10/04.  The Saturday night function will be held at the Workingmen's Club at 7:00pm.  The prizegiving is always an enjoyable night, and Queens Park will be amongst the trophies this year.  Tickets are $10 per person, for more details contact Cory Johnson or Isobel King from Southland Soccer.

22/09/04 - Book Launch - Southland Soccer: A Century of Football.  Stu Munro and Bill McLean with the help of Barry Smith, Graham Latter, and Jeff Walker have released this book which chronicles the history of Soccer in Southland.  The book gives a timeline of local footy, from the inception of the SFA to the current day.  It also touches on the earlier games of the 1890's, outlines club histories, explains how local trophies came into being, and is jam packed with stats and facts about Southland teams and players at all levels.

There is also a good amount of information on Queens Park contained in the book.  Included are photos of one of the first Park teams in 1959, photos of the Southern League winning teams of 72 and 77, records of Park's local achievements, not to mention official documentation of Barney's claim to fame - the 1986 S.F.A. Penalty King.

The cost of the book is $30 + p&p and is available from: Centenary Book, c/- Jeff Walker & Judy Restieaux Lawyers, Cargill Chambers, Crn Kelvin & Spey Streets, PO Box 1188, Invercargill.

Buying a book is a great way to support Southland Soccer & Stu Munro who puts in a lot of time keeping us up to date with stats & goings on.  I also should point out that Stu does the weekly Soccer write ups in the newspaper, so buy two books and you never know what might turn up in the paper next season (if you are a spectator then best get three).

18/09/04 - QUEENS PARK WINS DIVISION TWO FINAL.  After finishing Second in the round robin, Q.P. beat Southend Green in the Division Two final 2-1.

It was another day where the weather reigned supreme, with waterlogged pitches, strong winds, rain, hail, and snow all playing their part .  The game was transferred from Bain Park to O'Rorke Park only to be shifted again to Sandy Point 4.  This was the only ground deemed 'not dangerous' by the 3 officials.  However despite the weather, and despite Q.P. trying to start with 10 men, oblivious to their left back keeping warm in his car, the game did eventually get underway.

From the outset the Queens Park midfield dominated, I believe Southend were missing a key midfielder and this was evident.  For much of the first half the Q.P. side were camped in Greenie territory, but testament to the Southend defence, and some squandered Park chances, this dominance could not be converted.  Conversely when Southend got their chance they took it, as about 20 minutes into the first half Nugget outpaced his marker and finished well to put his team on the board.  For the rest of the half things pretty much stayed the same, Q.P. dominated with territory and possession, but could not nudge the back of the net.

The second half story was not too different from the first, and as the hail began to fall, a loss was looking the probable outcome.  This did not last though and as the weather cleared a bit, a free kick was awarded to Queens Park about 40 meters out and 10 meters in from the left hand touch line.  With 10 minutes remaining Craig Campbell stepped up to take the kick.  His cross took a deflection off a Southend defender, and as the keeper tried to gather it in it was fumbled into the side of the net.  The mood on the sideline immediately shifted from one of frustration to one of anticipation.  On the field the team lifted too, and with about two minutes to go Craig Smith stole the game with a stunner.  Arguable his only clean hit of the season, the 35 meter shot curled to the right, cleared the keeper and dipped under the crossbar.  Final score 2-1.

11/09/04 - Queens Park Division Two Team Makes Final.  The ground at Bain Park was a bit drier than last week, and apart from the occasional vertical bobble, it held up surprisingly well.  Queens Park gained the initial aascendancy as the midfield immediately hit their straps early in the first half.  It took the Southend team about 25 minutes before they began to slowly stem the onslaught.  In the latter part of the first half Southend generated more chances and the Park keeper was called on to pluck a few crosses & corner balls from the air.  A half of two halves it was, but a half of goals it was not.

In the second half Q.P. once again dominated the first few minutes and early on midfielder Craig Smith completed a well worked move by slotting in a goal from close range to put his team 1-0 up.  However about 15 minutes later Southend replied with a brilliant 35 meter rocket from midfield which clipped the inside left-hand post and ricocheted in leaving the keeper stranded.  Both teams went on to have a few more chances, but as with the first half, the end of normal time ended in a stalemate.

Q.P. began the first period of extra time the same as the first half, but despite their complete dominance, could not score.  In the second period of extra time the Park team began to tire and some testing moment ensued.   Southend again demonstrated some strong attacking phases and tested the roving Q.P. defence.  Late in the second period Dylan Meehan pulled off an absolutely screamer of a shot from 40 meters out.  The ball went like a tracer, bounced vertical off the crossbar, on to the goal line, then finally out of the goalmouth.  The end of extra time then rolled around and the score was once again gridlocked 1-1.

So to penalties it went, and both teams confidently slotted their first shots.  Southend's second shot taker then stepped up but had his attempt well saved by Q.P. keeper Craig Campbell.  Youngster Stu Kent then fronted and easily slotted his penalty to put Q.P. up 2-1.  Southend scored another, then the third Q.P. penalty taker stepped up and shot the ball straight at the keeper leaving him no option but to save it.  Southend then returned the favour with their 4th attempt dribbling along the ground straight to the keepers feet where he promptly picked it up.  Dylan Meehan needed only to score the 4th penalty to secure the win, and as apt compensation for his earlier near miss he did so.  Q.P. winning 4-3.

04/09/04 - QUEENS PARK WINS DONALD GRAY TROPHY.  The 2004 Donald Gray Championship all came down to the final battle between table leaders Queens Park and Southend United.  Southend's unexpected loss of the Larry O'Rorke Challenge Trophy the previous week had left them needing a win to secure the title, but with Donald up for grabs there was still plenty to play for,  and both teams were determined to be the victor.

The weather was hardly conducive to aesthetically satisfying football, however, despite the several inches of mud on the ground and the 0-0 scoreline, there was still some good footy on display.  Craig Campbell and Jamie Sharp were both unyielding in defence, and Tom Kent chipped in with his usual inspirational runs.

There was also a reasonable turnout of Queens Park supporters who appeared to outnumber their Southend counterparts.  I guess this exemplifies the feeling among supporters that 12 years has been a long time coming, and hopefully the success this young team has afforded this season will herald a revival in Queens Park footy.

04/09/04 - Queens Park Division Two team makes finals.  The Q.P. Div 2 team was beaten 3-2 by Riverton in the weekend, but despite this result they still finish the round robin in second place and qualify for the semis next weekend.  Their opponent for his clash will be the 3rd placed Southend United team, while the top placed Southend Green team will slog it out with Riverton.  The conclusion of these results determining the final contenders.

30/08/04 - Both teams still in the hunt to take out their respective divisions.  For the Top team a final round showdown with Southend is what it all comes down to, a win or draw will secure the Donald Gray Memorial Trophy for Q.P.  In order for the Division Two team to top the round robin they need to beat Riverton and hope Gore can at least hold Southend Green to a draw.

30/08/04 - Queens Park Association Football Club website goes online.

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