By The Spider
September 15 2002

Saturday, 14th September, 2002 Queen’s Park 0 East Stirlingshire 2 (Bells Scottish League - Third Division)

Those who turned up amidst "Indian Summer" sunshine at Hampden expecting an improvement on last week's lack of excitement were to be sorely disappointed as the alternative to an afternoon at the beach turned out to be one one big yawn for most of the 90 minutes, almost having an end of season feel to it.

John McCormack tried to play the numbers game in an attempt to confuse his opposite number, but it looked to have an opposite effect as there was little by way of cohesiveness in Queen's play. Danny Ferry wore no.2 and played in midfield, Stevie Fallon wore no.3 and played at right back, Brendan Crozier wore no.7 and played at left wing while John Gallagher wore no.11. Then, to confound everyone, striker Willie Martin re-appeared for the second half at left midfield. Having said that, players have their off days so perhaps Cowboy is entitled to one too now and again!

Following a game of heady tennis in the opening minute, Queen's failed to clear their lines properly and were only a toe-poke away from conceding a goal in 'Shire's first attack. At the other end, Willie Martin looked sharp when he got between a defender and Finlay, but his stretched stab at the ball cleared the top of the bar.

The visitor's took the lead in only the 4th minute. Fairbairn blasted a free kick off the defensive wall and it fell kindly for David Ormiston to blast the ball home from point blank range.

Following a speculative long range effort from Stevie Fallon which soared well over the bar, Livingston fastened onto a Fairbairn lay off but his shot went narrowly wide of goal.

John Gemmell had an excellent turn and shot in the 12th minute which produced a fine diving save from Finlay low to his left to tip the ball narrowly past his left upright. Willie Martin's never say die attitude nearly brought an unexpected reward when he harried two defenders before chasing down a passback and Finlay's clearance cannoned off Willie's back but just over the bar.

In the 19th minute Willie prodded a through ball to Danny Ferry inside the area and Finlay made a great right handed save to beat the Queen's skipper's fierce drive away. Willie himself was first to the rebound but his first time left foot effort flashed narrowly wide of Findlay's left hand post.

Four minutes later, John Gallagher sent a precision crossfield pass into the path of John Gemmell and again Finlay did well to save, this time at his near post. Then a Johnny Whelan shot looked netbound until a fortuitous deflection carried it harmlessly into Findlay's grateful waiting arms.

Near the end of the half Livingston headed over from close range whilst Finlay again saved 'Shire, this time from a Willie Martin header.

It had been an uninspiring half and, in an effort to improve things, Cowboy took off Stephen Moffat (who didn't look injured?) and Brendan Crozier to replace them with Richard Sinclair and Stephen Canning. Sadly, the changes did little to help and the forty five minutes that followed hardly sped by.

A defensive lapse gave John Gemmell a sniff of goal in the opening seconds of the resumption, but Findlay simply stuck out his left foot to produce an unorthodox but nonetheless effective save. A great right wing driven cross from McAuley caught the Queen's defence napping, but Livingston's poor touch in front of goal let him down badly when a score looked certain.

Then Struthers put over another fine ball from a similar position and Leishman headed past from a good position. A long Colin Stewart clearance was flicked on by John Gemmell into Stephen Canning's path, but the ball got nicked off his toes at the last moment for a corner. Fairbairn went on a great run through the heart of the Queen's defence in the 56th minute, leaving both Agostini and Moffat trailing in his wake, but Colin Stewart came swiftly off his line to bring off a good blocking save to prevent Queen's from going further behind.

Just short of the hour mark, John Gemmell headed on a long throw in from Johnny Whelan and Stephen Canning's diving header slipped agonisingly just wide of the back post. Queen's then produced their best move of the game and Damiano Agostini started it with a simple crossfield pass to Richard Sinclair who passed it out wide to John Gallagher. Next to receive it was Stephen Canning deep in the 'Shire half and he took it on to the byeline where it looked as if he was going to be crowded out. However, young Stephen combined some neat footwork and silky skills to elude his two markers before firing the ball to the near post where John Gemmell's poke at it went just past the upright.

The next 20 minutes were absolutely dire and the substitution of Johnny Whelan had much to do with Queen's lack of possession as Danny Ferry often found himself isolated in midfield with three opponents for company. Craig Taggart has the ability to unlock defences with precision passes, but to do so he has to be given time and space to compensate for his lack of pace, and when the opposition has possession then Queen's are left a man short as his workrate leaves a lot to be desired.

Willie Martin created an opening for Stephen Canning in the 81st minute, but again Finlay proved to be a fine 'keeper by beating away Stephen's powerful strike at goal. Referee Willie Young, who had an excellent game by his standards, booked Reid a minute later after showing good judgement to allow Queen's to continue with a flowing move after the visitor's left back had cynically hacked down Danny Ferry after being embarrassed by a quick turn from the Queen's skipper who once again led by example and who now looks to be at the peak of his form again after a two year loss of confidence which co-incided with the departure of Kevin Finlayson.

With a minute to go John Gemmell passed to Craig Taggart who fed the ball to Stephen Canning but his dink over Finlay also cleared the bar. Martin and Gemmell then combined to create another chance for Canning but he was just unable to make contact with Gemmell's through ball.

Then, in injury time, the Queen's defence completely opened up for Boyle who was able to receive a straight pass from midfield with his back to goal (stop and think about this one) on the edge of the Queen's area with no Queen's player within 10 yards of him. As the 'Shire sub prepared to turn, Colin Stewart gambled on the striker pushing the ball a few yards in front of him to run onto and dashed from his goal like a man possessed. However, to his credit, Gerry Boyle showed great composure and neatly side-stepped the onrushing 'keeper to roll the ball into the empty net from 18 yards.

This was poor stuff from Queen's who definitely missed the width provided by Jimmy Allan, or indeed that of Chris Fisher who was seen hobbling about the stand on crutches so he looks to be out for a few games at least. Before the jaunt to Tannadice a week on Tuesday evening, there is the delightful prospect of a trip north to Peterhead next Saturday where there will need to be a big improvement if defeat is to be avoided.

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE : 2/5           STAR SPIDER : DANNY FERRY (on top form again)

QUEEN’S PARK : Colin Stewart, Danny Ferry, Stevie Fallon, Steven Moffat (Richard Sinclair - 46), Damiano Agostini, Tony Quinn, Brendan Crozier (Stephen Canning - 46), Johnny Whelan (Craig Taggart - 64), John Gemmell, Willie Martin, John Gallagher

Subs (not used) : Stewart Thomson (GK), Gordon Lappin

Scorer(s) : none

Booked : none

EAST STIRLINGSHIRE : Scott Finlay, Billy Struthers, Craig Reid, David Grant, Graeme McGhee, Jamie MacKay, Jordan Leishman (Gerry Boyle - 79), Sean McAuley, Brian Fairbairn (Derek Ure - 89), David Ormiston, Steve Livingston

Subs (not used) : Andrew McNeil (GK), Graham McLaren, Kevin Morrison

Scorer(s) : Ormiston (4), Boyle (12)

Booked : Reid (82 - professional foul)

REFEREE :  Willie Young ***** (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)