Clark (qpfc.com)

Prior to this game some Queen's fans were letting their hearts rule their heads by making rash predictions about the margin that their favourites might defeat 'Rovers by. Whilst in strict footballing terms there was some logic to their optimism, they failed to take into account that the Spiders have been consistently outmuscled in this fixture for several seasons now.

Shaun Molloy is Queen's tallest outfield player, and yet he was dwarfed by four of the opposition players as the two sides made their way onto the park. Queen's best hope therefore lay in trying to use Hampden's expansive playing surface to their advantage by running the 'Rovers' players ragged so that they could eventually make their superior mobility count.

And for most of this game that strategy looked sound as Queen's enjoyed by far the majority of possession. In only the opening minute Danny Ferry and Frankie Carroll combined well on the right flank to deliver a tempting cross to the near post where Bryan Felvus failed to get the finishing touch.

But 'Rovers were able to make just as much use of the few crumbs that came their way, although Mercer's 8th minute shot was nearer the corner flag than the target. Wilson looked a nippy player though, and Shaun Molloy had to make a saving tackle in the 16th minute to stop the striker from running clear on goal.

Two minutes later a dipping shot from Bryan Felvus came back off the bar with Fahey beaten, but both Mark Ferry and then Ross Clark were unable to convert the rebounds that came their way.

David Crawford was untroubled by a weak shot from Wilson, but then neither was Fahey from a long range free kick from the normally influential Paul Harvey who was being closely marked throughout much of the game.

With half an hour played, things were looking good for Queen's as the Rover's players were being pulled all over the field as Queen's quick passing game continued to leave their opponents fruitlessly chasing the ball. However, that all changed with the concession of a silly free kick by Shaun Molloy on his own bye line.

Stirling has been long known in these parts as something of a deadball expert, so it was simplicity itself for him to dink over a 15 yard cross to the back post to leave Jim Mercer with the easiest of headers as their simply was no-one in the Queen's ranks capable of matching his aerial power.

Still, no cause for alarm just yet as Queen's had plenty of time left to wear their opponents down.

Alan Trouten made an opening for himself two minutes later, but his powerful shot went straight at Fahey. Almost immediately, 'Rovers won a corner up at the other end and again Stirling's precision cross was aimed at Mercer. This time David Crawford came rushing off his line to challenge for the ball, but the ball broke free to John Bradford on the edge of the six yard box and the striker acrobatically put his side two up with a powerful overhead kick.

Still, no cause for alarm just yet as Queen's had plenty of time left to wear their opponents down.

Two minutes later though Rovers won another left wing corner, and you could almost sense the fear in the home ranks as Stirling trotted over to take it. Again Jim Mercer was the target, again David Crawford could only flap at the cross, and it was almost comical at how the midfielder's weak header was missed by the defenders on the line who should have cleared with ease.

Now Queen's really did have a problem. With a three goal cushion, 'Rovers no longer needed to chase the ball, and crosses into the box for Queen's diminutive strikers were hardly going to be a problem either. It was going to be a long 55 minutes of futility, because the harder that Queen's tried to get behind the visitors, the deeper they were happy to defend and the more likely it was that Queen's would be caught on the counter attack.

Ross Clark blasted a free kick over the bar, and then Potter was finally booked for persistent fouling, an offence which any of several 'Rovers' players could have been picked up for at that point as they sought to break up the game at any opportunity in order to maintain their advantage until the interval.

A great through ball from Richard Sinclair found Ross Clark in the 'Rover's area, but Fahey took the pace off the midfielder's shot before the ball was booted off the line.

Two minutes before half time, all lingering hopes were extinguished when another Ross Clark effort deflected off Fahey to Frankie Carroll, but somehow the wee man volleyed the ball over the bar from six yards out with the empty net just begging to be bulged.

Upon the resumption Alan Trouten was given a sight of goal, but his first time effort soared harmlessly over the bar.

Wilson's pace took him clear of the exposed Queen's defence in the 50th minute, but the striker rushed his shot to hook the ball wide of both the advancing Crawford and the far post.

A minute later Paul Harvey fired in a rasping first time shot from the edge of the 'Rovers penalty area, but Fahey did very well to tip the ball onto the crossbar and over.

Bryan Felvus saw a trundler cleared off the line, and then Paul Harvey sent a free kick into the side-netting as Queen's tried to maintain a high tempo. 'Rovers were just as determined to slow the game down by any means, fair or foul, and it was extremely exasperating to see good moves being brought to a deliberate halt. Whilst there was nothing at all malicious about the fouls, the repeated pettiness should have punished nonetheless, but referee Conroy seemed more interested in asserting his authority over any Queen's unrest rather than punishing the original offenders.

To add insult to injury, Richard Sinclair was booked for protesting once too often, which only served to add to the frustration and of course to encourage 'Rovers to continue in the same vein.

A very subdued Mark Ferry shot wide in the 69th minute, before Ross Clark showed great skill to chest down a cross and volley it all in one movement. Sadly, his wonderful effort fizzed inches over the bar.

Silvestro fired a left foot volley narrowly over before substitute Tony Livingston was denied by another Fahey tip over the bar. From the resultant corner, the 'keeper saved Richard Sinclair's header.

Alan Trouten was deservedly booked for a tackle from behind on the pacey Gordon before the young Queen's wingback sent a rising shot over the bar.

With a minute to go referee Conroy capped a pathetic display by booking Paul Harvey for dissent after the Queen's player had been fouled in exactly the same manner as Alan Trouten's recent offence. Bad referees can be forgiven (eventually!), but it's the inconsistent ones who raise the hackles most, and Conroy ranks amongst the worst in this respect.

In injury time Tony Livingston shot wide before Conroy was given ironic cheers/jeers for booking Richardson for a tackle from behind identical to the unpunished one perpetuated just seconds earlier.

If Queen's are to justify the plaudits they have received this season for their conversion to an attractive passing game, then they need to add some height to the side or similar scenes will need to be endured next season. A commanding centre half and a mobile centre forward with physical presence are an absolute must, or the skill of small players like Alan Trouten, Danny Ferry, Paul Harvey, Ross Clark and Frankie Carroll simply goes to waste.

Hopefully Elgin weren't watching this, otherwise there could be more of the same next Saturday.

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE :  3/5

STAR SPIDER(S) :  Ross Clark (looking much more like his old self again)

QUEEN’S PARK : David Crawford, Alan Trouten, Shaun Molloy (David Weatherston – 89), Andy McGinty, Richard Sinclair, Paul Harvey, Brian Felvus, Ross Clark, Danny Ferry, Frankie Carroll, Mark Ferry (Tony Livingston - 73)

Subs (not used) :  Alexander Cowie (G/K), Brian Blair, Gavin Rushford

Scorer(s) : none

Booked : Sinclair (63 - dissent), Trouten (77 - dangerous challenge), Harvey (89 - dissent)

ALBION ROVERS : Chris Fahey, Scott Friel, Sean McInulty, Danny Black, Ricky Patrick, Kerr Potter, Chris Silvestro, Jered Stirling, Lee Wilson (Marc McKenzie - 85), John Bradford (Wayne Gordon - 64), Jim Mercer (Gary Richardson - 73)

Subs (not used) : Mark Peat (G/K), Gary Fleming

Scorer(s) :   Mercer (30 & 35), Bradford (33)

Booked : Potter (40 - persistent fouling), Richardson (90 - dangerous challenge)

REFEREE : Steve Conroy *   (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS