By The Spider
August 17 2004

Saturday, 14th August, 2004 Elgin City 1 Queen's Park 0 (Bells Scottish League – Third Division) This was not Queen's finest hour, and the Club now have some difficult decisions to make within a relatively short space of time.

With Frankie Carroll, Tommy Sloan and Derek Carcary all unavailable through injury, it was clear that Queen’s attacking resources were going to be stretched to the limit. Coach Kenny Brannigan was widely expected to adjust accordingly to only play with two up front, but he bravely elected to start with three forwards, Ally Graham being flanked on either side by David Weatherston and David Clarke.

Goalkeeper Stevie McGovern was handed his debut, and whilst there were only the three starting changes from the opening League match, it was virtually all change on the bench where Alan Trouten had David Crawford, Martin Bonnar, Richard Sinclair and Bryan Felvus for company.

Last season the much maligned Paul Harvey was sinner-in-chief as Queen’s under-achieved, but this time around the midfield maestro has been in fine early form, and has displayed a much greater level of consistency.

Elgin could hardly get out of their half during the opening exchanges, and the first half chance fell to the aforementioned Harvey who sliced a left foot volley wide. Both midfields were working extremely hard to close down opponents on the big pitch, so chances were few and far between with Elgin’s first attempt on goal coming in the 12^th minute when Black’s shot was blocked.

A minute later a fine David Weatherston low cross ran along the 6 yard box, but neither of his striking colleagues were on hand to take advantage.

Elgin were now beginning to get more of a grip on the game, and Stevie McGovern tipped a deep cross out to Roddie at the back post who thankfully sliced his volley wide. Then Black shot wide from the edge of the box before McGovern saved a low effort from Bone.

Shaun Molloy offered Queen’s some respite when he sent a low cross cum shot towards the back post where it was nearly turned in by David Clarke who just couldn’t get enough on the ball as he stretched for it.

Seconds before the half hour mark the home side went ahead. A long free kick from the right was met on the other side of Queen’s penalty area by Andy Roddie whose low header seemed to catch Stevie McGovern by surprise as he could only get a weak left hand to the ball as it rolled back across him towards his left hand post.

Shortly afterwards, Ross Clark sent David Weatherston clear on the right with a delightful through ball, and although the youngster’s low shot beat the advancing Renton, Cumming got back in time to clear the ball off the line.

In the 36^th minute Roddie fired in a wicked direct free kick which curled inches wide of Stevie McGovern’s left hand post. Minutes later the same player tried his luck in a similar fashion from the identical spot, but this time the ball dipped just over the bar.

With neither side having made any changes during the interval, Stevie Reilly added yet another yellow card to his collection shortly after the break, this time for repetitive fouling.

Elgin should have increased their lead in the 54^th minute when a ricochet fell kindly for Reid who was thwarted by an excellent stop from McGovern who was then fouled by Reid as he safely gathered the rebound. Reid was booked for going in late on the ‘keeper.

There then followed an incident which could have severe repercussions for all concerned. Former Motherwell winger David Clarke has failed to impress in any of his competitive first team appearances to date, so it was no surprise when Kenny Brannigan substituted him following yet another ineffectual display. What was a surprise was the display of petulance shown by Clarke as he left the field, only to kick a water bottle away in frustration.

That little show of frustration could have been dealt with in the privacy of the dressing room immediately after the game, but instead it served as a catalyst for a chain of events which few if any Queen’s supporters will ever have witnessed, nor indeed will ever hope to do so again. Whether it was due to the heat, or simply from having his authority publicly challenged, but Kenny Brannigan quite simply lost it.

As Clarke slumped dejectedly onto his seat in the see-through dug-out, KB appeared to shake him warmly by the throat which resulted in Bobby Dickson entering the fray to drag the coach away. A Queen’s fan, thought to be a player’s father, who had been standing in the enclosure behind the dug-out, then came down to the other side of the dug-out to make a legitimate complaint to Dr. Alan Hutchison (who has a potential conflict of interest in this instance as a member of the backroom staff, but who is also a committee member) about the man-handling of one of the players.

Perhaps trying to avoid his loyalties being divided, “the Doc” gave the impression that it had nothing to do with him, which no doubt concerned the supporter even more. The escalation continued unabated as, at this point, KB became unnecessarily involved in the incident once more resulting in punches being thrown.

Any hope that the whole sorry affair could have been glossed over disappeared at this point as the 30 seconds of madness had taken place in full view of the Elgin stewards who were all for reporting the incident to the police. Thankfully, common sense prevailed and things were defused sufficiently to avoid either the local constabulary becoming involved, or (hopefully) the referee officially noting the altercations.

Whilst a temporary cease-fire of hostilities was being negotiated, the game continued without interruption.

Ally Graham hooked over with his weaker right foot from 10 yards out, but then it was Elgin’s turn to threaten when, following a quick breakaway, Nelson fired in a shot which bobbled narrowly wide of the target.

With just over quarter of an hour remaining, Paul Harvey had a good run in on goal, but Renton was equal to his left foot shot. Harvey then sprayed a great crossfield pass to Bryan Felvus whose first time right foot shot was also saved by Renton.

As Paul Harvey became increasingly influential, Black felt it necessary to resort to illegal tactics to try to slow him down, and the home player was deservedly booked for his late tackle.

Queen’s had a late flurry when Stevie Reilly headed over at the back post from a left wing free kick, before a Ross Clark “equaliser” was chalked off after Ally Graham had been adjudged to have fouled Dickson when in the process of knocking the ball down for Clark.

To add to the agony, Martin Bonnar wasted precious seconds in the last minute by getting himself booked for a late tackle out on the far touchline.

So Queen’s lost three points, but have they also lost much, much more?

For now let us assume that there is no to be no future involvement from either the police or the SFL over the “Elgingate” affair. That would at least leave things as the subject of an internal enquiry by the Queen’s Committee who now need to act both swiftly and decisively to restore the Club’s good name which, judging by the comments of several fringe members of the Elgin playing staff overheard by all in their vicinity in the main stand during the latter part of the second half, has already been considerably tarnished.

It is not inconceivable that Kenny Brannigan could find himself the subject of disciplinary proceedings which could result in a temporary suspension pending an official investigation as to his conduct or, if the evidence of independent witnesses corroborates the supporter’s story KB could find himself to be the first managerial casualty of the new season. This is not the first occasion that the Queen’s coach has been invited to leave a club following violent conduct, and if history is to repeat itself it would be a sad end to his connection with the Club that first introduced him to senior football.

It is also rather sad that events off the park should take precedence over those on it, as much good work appears to have been done over the close season and who knows what effect a major upheaval could have after only the second league game.

This Saturday Albion Rovers visit Hampden, and whilst most eyes are usually focused on the identities of the starting XI as they take the field, on this occasion it may well be just who follows them out that captures more of supporters’ attention.

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE : 3/5

STAR SPIDER(S) :  Paul Harvey (ran the midfield for most of the game)

QUEEN’S PARK :  Stevie McGovern, Brian Blair. Damiano Agostini, Gavin Rushford, Stevie Reilly, Shaun Molloy, Ross Clark, Paul Harvey, Ally Graham, David Weatherston (Martin Bonnar – 75), David Clarke (Bryan Felvus – 55)

Subs (not used) :  David Crawford (G/K), Alan Trouten, Richard Sinclair

Scorer(s) : None

Booked : Reilly (48 – repetitive fouling), Bonnar (89 – late tackle)

ELGIN CITY :  Keiron Renton, Stuart Cumming, Allan Dempsie, Paul Kaczan, Hugh Dickson, Stephen Black, Willie Martin, Adam Nelson, Alex Bone, Phillip Reid (Fraser Bremner – 88), Andy Roddie

Subs (not used) :  Martin Piries (G/K), Iain Vigurs, Garry Wood, Jason McDonald

Scorer(s) :   Roddie (29)

Booked : Reid (54 – late challenge), Black (79 – late tackle)

REFEREE : Craig Mackay ***  (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)