By The Spider
March 17 2002

Saturday, 2nd March, 2002 East Stirlingshire 3 Queen’s Park 1 (Scottish League - Third Division)

Any lingering hopes of avoiding finishing bottom were surely swept away at Firs Park where Queen's Park turned in an inept performance when victory could have kept the remainder of the season interesting.

It only took a minute for 'Shire to register their first of the afternoon. Johnny Whelan pulled down Scott on the edge of the area and Gregor McKechnie stepped up to curl the ball in at the far post with his direct free kick from a wide angle. In truth, it was probably a cross to the back post but it eluded everyone to leave Graeme Smith a mere static observer.

Queen's responded with a Ross Jackson run down the right wing which produced a corner and Liam McVey pounced on a weak clearance but only to shoot straight at Hay. The home side increased their lead in the 7th minute when Kevin Gordon was left completely unmarked inside the area and it was a matter of simplicity itself for him to receive a pass with his back to goal, turn, and then lob over a bemused Smith.

Tony Quinn headed a Dunning cross narrowly past before 'Shire again carved gaping holes in the centre of the Queen's defence after Canning had been dispossessed in midfield, but this time the eventual shot soared over the bar from close range.

In the 13th minute Allan Dunning showed good pace to win a corner and Tony Quinn's close range shot from the direct cross was deflected narrowly past for another of the same. This time McVey's inswinger from the right hand side was not so well defended and Allan Dunning was able to stab the ball over the line from close range at the back post following a near post flick-on. Quarter of an hour played and Queen's back in the game again.

In the 26th minute Ross Jackson embarked on a good run through the middle and his fierce left foot effort only just cleared the crossbar. Ten minutes later, Johnny Whelan ran powerfully from midfield before releasing Allan Dunning on his left who eased past the last defender for a clear run in on goal but again the shot went narrowly over the bar.

'Shire hit back with an equally good run up the left wing from Scott and his cut back was met first time on the run by McAulay but fortunately for the visitors the ball took a deflection to send it narrowly past for a corner.

As half time approached, McVey curled a left free kick onto the roof of the net after Danny Ferry had been tripped right on the edge of the area.

Hopes were high amongst Spiders' fans that the game could be saved in the second half but they had all but evaporated after only three minutes following the resumption. Johnny Whelan was caught in possession at the half way line and Gregor McKechnie was sent unchallenged through the middle to slip the ball past the advancing Smith who, although he got a touch to it, couldn't deflect it sufficiently from its path.

In the 50th minute Allan Dunning again outpaced the home defence and looked to have done everything right when he drew Hay before shooting powerfully for the near post as the 'keeper anticipated a shot across him. However, Hay showed remarkable reflexes to re-adjust his balance before tipping Dunning's drive away for a corner. Great shot - even better save!

With 65 minutes on the clock, Liam McVey curled a close range right foot shot off Hay's left hand post and the rebound was cleared. That was pretty much the last display of resistance although there was a token effort from Johnny Whelan in the 79th minute, but again Hay was well positioned to save. In between times McCheyne was booked by Ian Brines for persistent fouling as was Hay himself for disputing the official's right to halt play with Dunning clutching a painful head-knock.

The last effort of the afternoon came from Maughan with seven minutes remaining when he curled a left foot shot over after Lorimer had created the opening.

With two successive games against nearest geographical rivals Albion Rovers now coming up, Spiders' fans will be hoping that these matches will provide an opportunity to restore some recently lost pride.

ENTERTAINMENT : 3/5                 MAN OF THE MATCH : Allan Dunning

QUEEN'S PARK : Graeme Smith, Danny Ferry, Liam McVey, Kevin Proudfoot (John Cunningham - 54), Jim Brown, Richard Sinclair, Tony Quinn, Johnny Whelan, Ross Jackson (John Gemmell - 54), Stephen Canning, Allan Dunning (Willie Martin - 75)

EAST STIRLINGSHIRE : David Hay, Michael Hall, Ian McDonald, Gordon Russell, Graeme McCheyne, Sean McAulay, Roddy Maughan, Gregor McKechnie, David Lorimer, Kevin Gordon, Andrew Scott