By The Spider
March 15 2004

Saturday, 13th March, 2004 Albion Rovers 3 Queen's Park 1 (Bells Scottish League – Third Division)

Whilst Chris Boyle has come in for some criticism for his over-officious style of refereeing, his deficiencies pale into insignificance alongside those of his colleague Martin Sproule. In Saturday’s low key game between Albion Rovers and Queen’s, referee Sproule made some decisions which quite frankly rank amongst the worst that this writer has had the misfortune to witness, and it is just fortunate that there were only three points and local rivalry at stake or things could have got really out of control, both on and off the pitch.

There was an immediate sign of what was to come in only the 6^th minute. Quite aware of the pass-back rule, Damiano Agostini cleverly used his thigh to usher the ball back to Derek Scrimgour who didn’t even hesitate in picking the ball up. The shrill peep of the whistle that announced the decision to award ‘Rovers an indirect free kick near the penalty spot was greeted with disbelief by all other than referee Sproule who had blown for the award, and it was a rather shell-shocked Queen’s side who lined up their defensive wall in their own six yard box, but not before Derek Scrimgour earned himself a yellow card for protesting louder and longer than any of his team-mates. Fortunately, justice was done when a half-hearted effort rebounded from the wall, demonstrating a certain element of embarrassment on the part of Stirling whose shot was totally lacking in conviction.

Whilst the booking of Scrimgour seemed fair enough, the anger of Queen’s players and fans only increased a few minutes later when Queen’s were awarded a free kick only for Bradford to kick the ball 15 yards away in frustration. Somehow, in direct contradiction to his bosses’ stance in such instances, Sproule did not display the mandatory yellow card, deeming a quiet word to be appropriate “punishment”.

In between these incidents, only a minute after the pass-back decision, Queen’s had taken the lead and, once again Derek Carcary was heavily involved. Following a good run down the right, the youngster cut inside and his precision cutback was neatly swept home with a placed right foot effort curler by Frankie Carroll.

Play was end to end, as demonstrated in the 10^th minute when a Crabbe direct free kick curled narrowly over Scrimgour’s crossbar. Scrimgour’s long goal kick then found it’s way deep into the ’Rovers’ half where it was poorly dealt with and Derek Carcary’s first time effort from the attempted defensive header went inches wide of the target.

It took a brilliant saving tackle from Stevie Reilly in the 13^th minute to keep Bradford out, but the equaliser came only a minute later, and it was simplicity itself with Paul McManus being given acres of space in the Queen’s penalty area to blast the ball past Scrimgour from close range after a weak clearance had been knocked back in to the striker by Mercer.

Jonny Whelan came close to restoring Queen’s lead ten minutes later when he met a deep David McCallum cross at the back post to sent in a powerful header which Bennett carried over his own bye line as he stretched to keep the ball out.

Ross Clark had a clear sight of goal in the 38^th minute, but he got caught in two minds between shooting and crossing, and his eventual effort turned out to be neither as it slipped wide of the far post.

The home side took an unexpected lead two minutes later. Smith fired in a shot which was heading straight towards Derek Scrimgour until Stevie Reilly’s attempt at a clearance only succeeded in diverting the ball past his ‘keeper for an own goal.

A David Stewart long range shot was easily saved a minute later, and then ‘Rovers nearly increased their lead when a Mercer inswinging cross from the left wing rebounded straight back off Derek Scrimgour’s near post with the Queen’s custodian looking completely caught out by the effort.

The last incident of the half only served to demonstrate just how far removed from common sense refereeing has become as officialdom has tried to adopt FIFA’s “Fair Play” ethos. As he went for a 50/50 ball with Sweeney, Jonny Whelan pushed his opponent away to get him off his standing foot only for referee Sproule to take a more sinister interpretation and flamboyantly wave a red card in the Scouser’s direction. As Jonny left the field, instead of the usual abuse from home supporters that usually accompanies such departures, this time ‘Rovers’ supporters could only laugh as they too were only expecting a yellow card at worst. It could be argued that a player of Whelan's experience should know better than to push away an opponent, whether justified in doing so or not, but whatever happened to the days of common sense refereeing when an official would calmly call the two players towards him, get them to shake hands and then get on with the game. Too many games are being spoiled nowadays by referees who seek out opportunities to increase their profile, when it is recognised that the best ones remain in the background only intervening when necesary.

Down to 10 men immediately before half time, Queen’s had only two choices to consider before they emerged for the second period. They could either come out feeling sorry for themselves and embark on a damage limitation exercise, or they could roll their sleeves up and get stuck-in in an attempt to get back on level terms.

Right from the first minute of the resumption, it became clear that they had elected on the latter course of action and Derek Carcary’s shot on the run from a measured Frankie Carroll through ball gave the visiting support hope. However, for all that Queen’s somewhat surprisingly hemmed their hosts into their own half for long periods, genuine chances were few and far between.

Referee Sproule continued to court controversy, and in the 59^th minute he awarded Queen’s a penalty when a Carcary right wing cross was handled by Stirling. Then, as the official ran towards the spot, he suddenly realised the error of his ways and changed both his direction and his decision to instead decide upon a free kick at the edge of the area. It was ultimately the correct thing to do, but his inability to get it right first time only served to increase the contempt being clearly felt for him judging by the clearly audible comments of both sets of supporters.

Just after the half hour mark, a Mercer shot was deflected narrowly over Derek Scrimgour’s crossbar, and Stuart Kettlewell headed over from a good position.

With just a couple of minutes remaining and Queen’s pushing more and more players forward, a Stevie Reilly cross was somehow missed by Stephen Canning just two yards out. Taking full advantage, ‘Rovers quickly broke away down their right wing and a lucky break of the ball from a challenge by Danny Ferry allowed Paul McManus to continue his run towards Derek Scrimgour, and the striker expertly slotted the ball past the Queen’s ‘keeper to put the final result beyond doubt.

It was a bitter pill for Queen’s to suffer, especially when you consider that Derek Scrimgour did not make a single save all game! Whilst ‘Rovers fans will doubtless be overjoyed by their victory, most would probably admit that it was the worst that they had witnessed their team play and yet emerge with a 3-1 win. For that, Queen’s deserve great credit for their second half fighting performance, but whilst the poor refereeing decisions ironically did not directly affect the outcome, it will be Martin Sproule’s display which will be well remembered by Queen’s fans for many years to come.

Hopefully though, the players can banish this game from their memories before next Saturday, and set about getting back to winning ways when Cowdenbeath are the next visitors to Hampden.  The game also provides an opportunity for Kenny Brannigan to curtail his safety first philosophy so that attacking midfielders like Ross Clark are given more licence to get forward. Going a goal ahead and then leaving your two forwards up front to take on five defenders may well win us a few games by the odd goal, but in the long run it is only likely to further disillusion a Queen’s support who have been brought up in an environment where they are used to seeing midfield players get forward in unison a lot more than is presently the case.

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE : 3/5

STAR SPIDER :  Frankie Carroll (gave 100% effort throughout and took his goal well)

QUEEN’S PARK : Derek Scrimgour, Danny Ferry, David McCallum, Allan Dunning (Stuart Kettlewell – 69), Damiano Agostini (David Stewart – 32), Ross Clark (Martin Bonnar – 78), Stephen Canning, Stevie Reilly, Frankie Carroll, Jonny Whelan, Derek Carcary

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

Scorer(s) : Carroll (7)

Booked :  Scrimgour (6 – dissent)            Red Card : Whelan (44 – retaliation)

ALBION ROVERS : Neil Bennett, Andy Paterson, Jered Stirling, Sean Sweeney, Jordan Smith, Peter Cormack, John Bradford, Scott Crabbe (Chris Kerr – 84), Mark Yardley (Tony Low – 84), Paul McManus, Jim Mercer

Subs (not used) : Matthew Carr (G/K), John McCaig, Andrew Selkirk

Scorer(s) : McManus (14 & 88), O.G. (40)

Booked : none

REFEREE :  Martin Sproule *  (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)