By The Spider
January 12 2004

Saturday, 10th January, 2004 Queen's Park 0 Stranraer 4 (Bells Scottish League - Third Division)

In the past there have been games where Queen's have been given a good going over, and where there has been some spirited resistance, some near things, or an excellent performance from the victors to envy.

None of the above applied in this instance and, in particular, it is disappointing to report that Stranraer were not even that good, an efficient performance being enough to see them cruise to an easy victory. Despite having a fairly strong squad at his disposal, Kenny Brannigan chose as strange a side as any during his reign, and it would be refreshing were he to hold his hands up and admit that he got this one badly wrong. Let's take them one by one:

Derek Scrimgour was in for David Crawford - a bit harsh on the youngster, but we'll give KB the benefit of the doubt on that one.

Danny Ferry as sweeper - played well there up at Forfar last season, but much more energetic at wing back or midfield

Damiano Agostini and new signing David Stewart as central defenders - fair enough

Stuart Kettlewell and Stevie Fallon as wingbacks - why?

Stevie Reilly, Paul Harvey & Paddy Gallagher in midfield - hardly going to combat Stranraer's height and strength in that vital area

Ally Graham & Stevie Canning up front - this is not the time or place for another Ally Graham debate so instead the question has to be asked as to why Stevie should suddenly play his first game of the season up front?

Accompanying David Crawford on the bench were top scorer Stevie McAuley, Jonny Whelan, Stevie Moffat and David McCallum which meant that there were no places for either Ross Clark or Frankie Carroll.

And yet, it could all have been so different had Queen's got the confidence booster of an early goal during a good 10 minute opening spell. A left foot drive from Stevie Fallon in the first minute was only inches past McCondichie's left hand post, and then Paddy Gallagher shot narrowly over after he ran from deep to get on the end of a cute flick from Ally Graham. New boy David Stewart then met a Paul Harvey corner powerfully with his head, but his effort dipped just over the bar.

And then it all went pear shaped.

In the 14th minute Derek Scrimgour made a good reflex save with his right foot at his near post to divert a powerful left foot drive from Jenkins. Immediately after the 'keeper did equally well to hold a drive from Sharp, before being a relieved man to see a last from Moore sail narrowly over.

Jenkins sent a snap-shot narrowly over in the 23rd minute but, a minute later, Queen's missed their best (and last) chance of the game when Ally Graham elected to stretch for an early driven cross from Paul Harvey with his weaker right foot when a brave diving header would have seen a certain score.

The poor judgement was punished just two minutes later when Scrimgour came for and missed an inswinging Kevin Finlayson free kick on the left wing to leave Murray Henderson with the relatively simple task of firing the ball home from five yards out.

With their very next attack it was 2-0. Some neat passing down the right wing saw Jenkins cut the ball back from the bye line to Steven Aitken whose shot floated in slow motion beyond Scrimgour's reach.

The came became a little bit more competitive after this and Collins was booked for attempted strangulation on the completely anonymous Stuart Kettlewell (KB take note - he is not a touchline player!), whilst the only surprise about Damiano Agostini's 38th minute booking for persistent fouling was that it had taken him so long to get it. Big D's misery was complete in the 43rd minute when he lost possession on the bye line whilst trying to shepherd the ball out and Alan Jenkins was left with the fairly simple task of blasting home the cut back from 15 yards.

It hadn't been Ally Graham's worst performance by any means so it was something of a surprise when it was he (Stevie Canning was the obvious candidate) who made way at half time for the expected introduction of Stevie McAuley.

In hindsight this was playing exactly into Stranraer's hands. By retreating Finlayson and Sharp and playing Moore as the sole striker up front, the visitors could quite safely allow Queen's as much possession as they wanted, but secure in the knowledge that in the absence of any physical presence up front it would be virtually impossible for Queen's to get through a packed defence.

To be fair, they did try to play some good passing football, but they never looked remotely threatening when doing so as there was no-one left up front in the middle to put away the few crosses that came over. Stevie McAuley looked a totally dejected figure chasing lost causes out on the left touchline whilst Stevie Canning was reduced to going back into his own half to get on the ball to try (and fail) to impress.

The irony of it all was that, despite all their huffing and puffing, Queen's could not produce a single clear cut chance, and yet Michael Moore was left totally unmarked at the back post in the 68th minute to have two attempts at volleying a corner past the exposed Scrimgour who did well to block the initial effort.

Paddy Gallagher curled a left foot effort well wide in the 79th minute before, with just seven minutes remaining, substitute Steven Moffat produced The Spiders' only shot on target during the entire game, and even that was a weak effort from 15 yards which McCondichie easily saved.

The biggest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for the 87th minute when Stranraer substitute Turnbull was presented with an open goal when Sharp laid the ball on a plate for him, but somehow the big striker took stage fright and managed to get himself in a complete fankle to allow the ball to be cleared for a corner. Just the sort of thing we have come to expect of our own strikers in recent seasons!

For those Queen's fans looking for some crumb of comfort, there wasn't any. It was a poor game played in rotten conditions and the visit to Gretna next Saturday is now one of trepidation instead of anticipation. Time to burst those coupons?

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE : 2/5

STAR SPIDER :  Danny Ferry (Player of the day, but well below his best)

QUEEN’S PARK : Derek Scrimgour, Danny Ferry,  David Stewart, Stevie Reilly, Damiano Agostini, Stevie Fallon (Stevie Moffat - 68), Stuart Kettlewell (Jonny Whelan - 68), Paul Harvey, Ally Graham (Stevie McAuley - 46), Paddy Gallagher, Stevie Canning

Subs (not used) : David Crawford(G/K), David McCallum

Scorer(s) : none

Booked : Agostini (38 - repetitive fouling)

STRANRAER : Andy McCondichie, Steven Swift, Fraser Wright, Derek Wingate, Murray Henderson, Alan Jenkins, Kevin Finlayson, Steven Aitken, Michael Moore (David Turnbull - 80), Lee Collins (Chris Cruickshank - 86), Lee Sharp

Subs (not used) : Kenny Meechan (G/K), David Graham, Tom McAllister

Scorer(s) : Henderson (26), Aitken (27), Jenkins (43), Moore (68)

Booked : Collins (31 - deliberate foul)

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