By The Spider
March 22 2004

Saturday, 19th March, 2004 Queen's Park 1 Cowdenbeath 2 (Bells Scottish League - Third Division)

After a brief mini-revival, Queen’s have retreated into an unambitious shell where smash & grab tactics are the order of the day. Again an early goal was chased and secured, but yet again Kenny Brannigan’s side were content to invite their opponents onto them, rather than chase for a second goal that would provide more of a cushion for such a style of football.

It’s all very well hoping that your opponents will leave themselves exposed at the back for a counter-attack as they press forward for an equaliser, but the problem is that if they do gain an equaliser, the initiative has been lost and your opponents are then the more like team to score another.

Without Jonny Whelan who now faces a further two games on the sidelines, Queen’s lined up with a midfield lacking in physical presence, and until such times as players of the stature of Jonny Whelan and Tony Quinn occupy the engine room of the side, then the Spiders are likely to come off second best in that vital area.

The visitors were first to threaten in the 3^rd minute, but Derek Scrimgour comfortably dealt with Mauchlen’s long-range low effort. Then, for the second week in a row, Frankie Carroll put his side ahead when the diminutive striker powerfully headed home an excellent inswinging free kick from David McCallum from close range.

Some fine one touch play between Martin Bonnar and Carroll then provided Derek Carcary with a shooting opportunity, but Carroll’s striking partner pulled his shot narrowly wide of the far post.

With a powerful wind at their backs, the Spiders should have taken the opportunity to press home their advantage, and Allan Dunning looked to be in the mood as he ran rampant on several occasions on the right flank. However, the next threat did not materialise until the 28^th minute when Carlin held a long-range drive from Clark.

David Stewart became the first player to be booked when he came to the rescue of Martin Bonnar who had lost possession in his own half, the big defender being correctly shown the yellow card for a trip from behind on Kelly who was unable to resume.

Frankie Carroll had an excellent chance to extend Queen’s lead in the 38^th minute when he beat Carlin to an excellent chipped pass from David McCallum, but the striker’s final left foot effort was too precise which allowed a retreating defender to clear the ball off the line.

The interval came without any further goal action at either end, with Cowdenbeath being unable to make much progress against the home side or the elements.

However, the pattern surprisingly continued at the start of the second half, with Derek Scrimgour remaining pretty much a spectator. That was all to change in the 53^rd minute though when Danny Ferry was woefully short with a passback that allowed McCallum to run in on goal. With defenders gaining on him all the time, the substitute forward kept a cool head and slipped the ball inside to McGuinness who showed equally good awareness to pass the ball left to the supporting Bryan Gilfillan who coolly slotted the ball past the Queen’s ‘keeper.

It could have been even worse a minute later as Cowden immediately seized the initiative, and it took two attempts before Derek Scrimgour could gather a shot from substitute striker McCallum.

Derek Carcary was still looking lively, and Ritchie was next to be booked when he felled the young striker at the halfway line.

Queen’s now enjoyed their best spell of the game. Derek Carcary headed wide in the 61^st minute, and then Carlin held a direct free kick from David McCallum. Carcary and Carroll then combined well with the latter pulling his shot narrowly wide when in front of goal, and then Clark and Carcary linked equally well, but Carlin saved young Derek’s final effort.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, Ross Clark hooked a volley narrowly wide, as slowly but surely it looked as if the next goal would be the decider.

Mauchlen embarked on a solo run through the heart of the Queen’s defence, only to shoot wide, but with just six minutes remaining the visitors struck again with Innes Ritchie powerfully heading home in identical circumstances to Carroll’s opener.

A minute later, Carroll was booked for tugging an opponent’s jersey, and then David Stewart headed past from a corner. Queen’s final act of defiance came with two minutes remaining, but Ross Clark’s drive soared miles over the bar as he ignored the classic rule of getting your body over the ball when shooting powerfully.

This was a game where the opposition were probably there for the taking for much of the game, but with Queen’s failing to show enough ambition in terms of getting players forward in numbers, Cowdenbeath grew in confidence during the second half and must have been surprised at how easily the game was won.

If Queen’s adopt a similar approach at Stirling next week, then they will suffer a similar or worse fate. Kenny Brannigan must start building for next season now, and if that means taking a few hits along the way then so be it. He has some flair players at his disposal, and if they were given more freedom to express themselves, then Frankie Carroll and Derek Carcary would surely prosper more than at present when the two of then are left to battle against four or more defenders.

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE : 3/5

STAR SPIDER :  David McCallum (a touch of class in a sea of mediocrity)

QUEEN’S PARK : Derek Scrimgour, Danny Ferry, David McCallum, Allan Dunning (Stuart Kettlewell – 73), (David Stewart, Ross Clark, Martin Bonnar, Stevie Reilly, Frankie Carroll, Stephen Canning (Paul Harvey – 79), Derek Carcary

Subs (not used) : Brian McCue (G/K), Damiano Agostini, David Weatherston

Scorer(s) : Carroll (5)

Booked :  Stewart (trip – 34)

COWDENBEATH : Andy Carlin, Calvin Shand, Andrew Campbell, Bryan Gilfillan (Liam Buchanan – 67), John McKeown, Innes Ritchie, Iain Mauchlen, Gary Fusco, John Paul Kelly (Ryan McCallum – 37), David Mowat, David McInally (Liam McGuinness – 46)

Subs (not used) : Allan Fleming (G/K), Mark McEwen

Scorer(s) : Gilfillan (53), Ritchie (84)

Booked : Ritchie (tackle from behind – 56)

REFEREE :  Eddie Mack ***  (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)