By The Spider
July 21 2004

Monday, 17th May, 2004 St. Mirren U-19s 2 Queen's Park Vics 3 (a.e.t.) (U-19 League Cup Final)

Having comfortably disposed of Ross County in the semi-final, the young Spiders were in confident mood as they headed to Paisley to play St. Mirren on their own ground in this season’s U-19 League Cup Final.

Queen’s supporters’ hopes that prodigy Derek Carcary would feature in the Spiders’ line-up were dashed upon arrival at Love Street, as the youngster elected not to make his first appearance in the competition because he felt that he would be depriving one of the players who had got the team there of a medal. A wise head on young shoulders indeed.

Instead, young Del-boy took his place in the Directors’ Box to watch the game, as did nearly 1,000 others of whom significant numbers were Queen’s fans.

The Vics won an early free kick, but although he made a great connection with the ball, Bryan Felvus’s powerful shot cannoned back off the defensive wall. The Buddies could have taken the lead in the 5^th minute when Gemmill surged into the Queen’s area, but his low cross towards McKenna at the back post was toe-poked by an outstretched defender’s leg just beyond the unmarked winger.

Alan Trouten tried his luck from long range a minute later, but his effort soared well over the bar. The home side made an early breakthrough in the 8^th minute when Craig Molloy latched onto a loose high ball in the Queen’s area to turn and fire an unstoppable low volley beyond David Crawford in the Queen’s goal.

McKenna then flicked a volley wide of the near post as the home side sought to stretch their advantage.

Bryan Felvus was looking lively for the visitors, and his 20^th minute low shot across the face of the goal nearly crept in at the back post.

Molloy and centre half Gordon then fired in good efforts that narrowly evaded the target as the end to end nature of the game continued.

Both sides looked well capable of snatching the next goal, and it was another of rare quality. Jordan White made an excellent turn with his back to goal to burst into the Saints area and, as Smith advanced towards him with defenders also snapping at his heels, the big striker cleverly squared the ball for Bryan Felvus to run in and sweep it high into the net above the outstretched despairing leg of right wing-back Gordon.

Queen’s could have taken the lead themselves soon afterwards when David Weatherston was sent clean through by Felvus, but the striker delayed his shot too long and a retreating defender managed to get a leg in the way. Alan Trouten had another go from long range in the 41^st minute, but Smith made a good low save.

St. Mirren regained the lead a minute later when David McKenna netted from close range after a header had been nodded down to him right in front of goal, and then Baird nearly grabbed another when Crawford did well to save his free header.

Jamie Brophy must have thought that he had levelled things for his side in the 54^th minute when he volleyed fiercely from 12 yards out, but somehow Smith managed to divert the effort inches over the top corner. The equaliser was only delayed by a couple of minutes though as John Weir followed up his own initial challenge with Smith for a free kick to react the quickest and stab the ball home into the empty net.

Muir sent a snap-shot narrowly wide immediately following the restart as the pace of the game continued at a very high level.

Despite a number of “enthusiastic” challenges, referee Stevie McGeogh was keeping a tight grip on things, although he did miss a blatant charge on Felvus which sent the winger flying to the turf as he ran towards the ball. Queen’s skipper John Weir was then cautioned for tripping Molloy as the home side sought to take advantage of the official’s benevolence.

Determined to win the game within the regulation period, St. Mirren now threw everything at the Vics who were hemmed into there own half by a determined to win the game within the regulation period, St. Mirren now threw everything at the Vics who were hemmed into their own half by a series of attacks in a frenzied 10 minute spell.

Baird headed inches wide, David Crawford saved from Muir, Martin curled a direct free kick wide before diving to send a near post header past, before Baird shot straight at Crawford from a good position.

Jordan White provided some respite at the other end in the 83^rd minute, but his high shot from a tight angle was never going to seriously trouble the tall Smith. In the last minute, McKenna nearly fluked it for Saints, but the defensive clearance which cannoned back off his knee fell fortuitously back into David Crawford’s grateful arms.

And so into extra time, and with several instances of cramp already having been witnessed, there was a suspicion that Queen’s might be better placed taking into account the late unsuccessful effort of the St. Mirren youngsters, combined with the visitors having more options still available to them on the substitutes bench.

Certainly Queen’s began the first period of extra time looking the stronger side, with Smith in the home goal no longer looking as re-assured as he had been previously. Bryan Felvus had a header cleared off the line in the 91^st minute, and then spectators were treated to the amazing sight of the big ‘keeper coming to meet a long throw from Felvus, only to gasp in horror as the ball went over him to rebound from his front post and into the middle of the penalty area!

However, the home side were able to clear the danger and quickly worked their way up to the other end where McKenna fired in a powerful shot from long range that fairly fizzed over David Crawford’s bar.

With 12 minutes of extra time played, Baird headed over from a good position at the back post, and it was a miss that he would soon regret. A measured diagonal pass over the top of a tired looking home defence from Jamie Brophy was quickly latched onto out on the left near the edge of the Saints penalty area by David McLaughlin, and the substitute took the ball first time in his stride to send a dipping left foot shot over Smith from a tight angle. Talk about a goal fit to win a cup final!

But there was still the small matter of a further 15 minutes extra time to be played. Could the Vics hold out?

Apparently the thought of sitting back to defend a single goal lead does not enter their heads at that level (QP 1^st team please take note!), and the youngsters enthusiastically set about putting the tie beyond the Buddies’ reach.

A great breakaway down the left flank saw the ball squared to left wing-back Tony Livingston now occupying a right sided role, but totally unmarked and with the goal at his mercy, he somehow contrived to side foot the ball into Smith’s waiting arms. David McLaughlin then volleyed straight at Smith when right in front of goal, to give Saints encouragement that Queen’s squandering of chances might prove vital. Robert Russell was booked for a late challenge near his own penalty area, which gave Molloy the chance to fire in a powerful strike which David Crawford was relieved to see bounce off his chest and away to safety.

Saints’ Molloy had looked one of the most accomplished players afield, but his frustrations now boiled over and he was eventually booked with five minutes remaining for repetitive fouling, when in truth his yellow card could have come several minutes earlier.

Martyn McLaughlin should have sewn the game up for Queen’s shortly afterwards when, with team-mates beside him he broke clear of the Saints defence some 40 yards from goal, but his attempted chip over the advancing Smith was the wrong option, and the ‘keeper was able to get back in time to grab the ball in his six yard box.

Fortunately Queen’s were just able to hang on to win a trophy that few would have though possible at the outset of the competition given the full time nature of many of the sides in it. To do so at all, let alone at the home ground of their opponents, is of great credit to all concerned, and especially to coaches Keith MacKenzie, Robert Kelly and Chic McCarry who have fashioned together a side of undoubted quality, but who also play the game in the right manner.

Judging by the admiring glances of many of the coaches present last night, some of them will be tempted away to other clubs before Queen’s fans will ever see them in first team action, but such is the nature of the game these days, and we can only hope that several will remain to further their careers at Hampden.

For now, they should just enjoy the moment, and what a tremendous double it would be if the Ladies side could emulate the Vics’ success when they meet Glasgow City in their own final on May 29 at Livingston’s Almondvale Stadium. Hopefully as many supporters who were at Love Street last night will make the effort to get to that one as well.

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE : 4/5

STAR YOUNG SPIDER : John Weir (led by example making some great surging runs from midfield and scored a vital goal – what more could you ask for from your captain?)

QUEEN’S PARK VICTORIA XI : David Crawford, Sean Lennon (Steven Gibson – 91), Tony Livingston, Jamie Brophy, Alan Trouten, Sean Molloy, Robert Russell, John Weir, Jordan White (Martyn McLaughlin - 94), David Weatherston (David McLaughlin - 80), Bryan Felvus.

Subs (not used) : Steven Mathers (G/K), John McElhinney

Scorer(s) : Felvus (30), Weir (56), D. McLaughlin (104)

Booked : Weir (67 – late challenge), Russell (113 – late challenge)

ST.MIRREN U-19s : Chris Smith, Brian Gordon, Ryan McCay (Stephen McKay – 37), Graham McWilliam, Ben Gordon (Graeme Smith – 46), Craig Molloy, David Martin, Alan Muir, Scott Gemmill (Tom McHard – 98), John Baird, David McKenna.

Subs (not used) : Alexander Cowie (S/K). Brian Taggart

Scorer(s) : Molloy (8), McKenna (42)

Booked : Molloy (115 – persistent fouling)

REFEREE : Stevie McGeogh **** (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)