Sinclair (qpfc.com)

This was Tony Mitchell’s first return to Hampden following the ‘keeper’s release last year on the back of some calamitous performances. By the end of this game, not only had he exorcised his demons, but also he had left Queen’s clinging to 3^rd place by the barest of threads with chasing teams now having a game in hand.

It was a match that Queen’s had been expected to win comfortably, but ‘Shire boss Dennis Newall posted warning in Saturday morning’s papers that his side were at full strength for the first time this season and, to be fair, their recent results were much improved from their disastrous start to the campaign.

Following the week’s rest, Billy Stark had the luxury of fielding an unchanged side, and there was no alteration to personnel on the substitutes’ bench either.

Unlike the previous Queen’s game at Montrose, the opening stages were decidedly dull, the nearest Queen’s coming to threatening the aforementioned Mitchell being a 6^th minute quick free kick from Paul Harvey which Ally Graham nodded down for the ‘keeper to make an easy save.

‘Shire had their first go in the 11^th minute when David Crawford easily saved a low shot from Thywssen. A minute later a superb through ball from Richard Sinclair released Stuart Kettlewell, but all credit to Mitchell who dived bravely at Kettlewell’s feet to deny him at point blank range. The Queen’s midfielder was injured by the challenge, and had to hobble off five minutes later to be replaced by Martin Bonnar.

Alan Trouten shot straight at Mitchell in the 19^th minute, and then the busy ‘keeper saved well from an Ally Graham header before his defenders eventually managed to scramble away the rebound.

The next 20 minutes were a complete bore with East Stirlingshire’s well marshalled midfield and defence able to keep Queen’s completely at bay. Just before the interval a lethargic looking Queen’s side quickened the pace and Mark Ferry embarked on a good forceful run before firing in a powerful shot which Mitchell palmed away at his postage stamp corner. Ross Clark volleyed Paul Harvey’s pinpoint corner over the bar, and then a  25 yarder from Frankie Carroll dipped just over the bar.

Shortly after the restart, Alan Trouten sent a rising long range shot over the bar, and then the Queen’s defence just managed to snuff out a dangerous ‘Shire breakaway.

The visitors should have broken the deadlock in the 63^rd minute when Ure was allowed to break clean through only to prod the ball wide of goal as David Crawford advanced towards him. Ross Clark shot over the bar from 15 yards out before Robertson became the first player to be booked for persistent obstruction, mostly on Alan Trouten. From the resultant indirect free kick, Paul Harvey sent the ball well over the bar without even glancing to see what the referee was indicating.

A foraging run from Shaun Molloy down the left wing allowed him space to send over a low cross which Martin Bonnar met first time with his left foot only to see it bounce off the top of the crossbar and over.

Alan Graham must have thought he had finally put Queen’s ahead in the 70^th minute when he sent a crisp right foot shot towards the bottom corner, but somehow Mitchell flew to his left to touch the ball away at the base of his post.

‘Shire were still capable of taking the lead themselves, and David Crawford positioned himself well to clutch a curler from Robertson.

In an effort to beef up the attack whilst also bolstering the defence, coach Billy Stark made a tactical substitution to replace midfielders Paul Harvey and Martin Bonnar with Gavin Rushford and Bryan Felvus. As a substitute himself, Bonnar was none too pleased at being taken off and his petulant discarding of his jersey which finished up behind Billy Stark as the player disappeared down the tunnel is hardly likely to endear the fringe player to his coach.

Bryan Felvus nearly made an immediate impact when his low cutback nearly deflected off Mitchell for an own goal by the ‘keeper, but somehow the netminder managed to arch backwards to grab the ball on the line.

Walker was booked in the 79^th minute for a late challenge, and substitute Dunbar nearly made it a glory day for the visitors with four minutes remaining when his long range effort nearly deceived David Crawford who managed to touch it over the bar at the last second.

The Spiders can be forgiven for this draw as several players were believed to be struggling to recover from the effects of flu, and hopefully next week’s home tie with East Fife will provide the three points that will be necessary to avoid slipping back down the table again.

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE :  2/5

STAR SPIDER(S) :  Richard Sinclair (an assured presence at the back)

QUEEN’S PARK : David Crawford, Alan Trouten, Shaun Molloy, Stevie Reilly, Richard Sinclair, Paul Harvey (Gavin Rushford – 76), Stuart Kettlewell (Martin Bonnar – 17) (Bryan Felvus – 76), Ross Clark, Ally Graham, Frankie Carroll, Mark Ferry

Subs (not used) :  Stevie McGovern (G/K), Brian Blair

Scorer(s) : none

Booked : none

EAST STIRLINGSHIRE : Tony Mitchell, David Harvey, Scott Livingston, Steven Oates, Jamie MacKay, Graham McGhee, Johnny Walker (Paul Ross – 90), Carl Thywssen, Ross Donaldson (Jamie Dunbar – 60), Derek Ure, Joe Robertson (Sean McAulay – 75)

Subs (not used) : Ross Gilpen (G/K), Chris Baldwin

Scorer(s) :   none

Booked : Robertson (persistent fouling – 67), Walker (late challenge – 79)

REFEREE : Ian Frickleton **  (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)

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