Trouten (qpfc.com)

This match was an emotional roller coaster that took both sets of supporters through varying degrees of disappointment and elation. From a Queen’s perspective, there was joy at seeing The Spiders dominate much of the game, despair at undeservedly going a goal behind in injury time, and then bedlam seconds later as somehow the home side conjured up an equaliser.

And yet, in the aftermath of a very good performance, a sense of frustration that Queen’s weren’t able to secure the three points that few would have grudged them.

There was just the one change from the side that ground out victory at New Bayview, Andy McGinty replacing the suspended Gavin Rushford to earn his first start whilst Stevie Reilly and Damiano Agostini remain unavailable through injury.

The game was slow to produce much excitement as both sides strung together some nice moves but found defences quick to snuff out any danger. A shot on the turn from Richard Sinclair brought out a good low save from Mathers, but offside was given for a Queen’s player being over-eager in his attempt to capitalise on any rebound.

Frankie Carroll produced a similar save with his 13^th minute effort, and then Ross Clark fired narrowly past with his left foot after a great wriggling run from Alan Trouten had opened up the visitors defence.

David Crawford was called upon to produce his first save in the 18^th minute when he did very well to thwart Bavidge with his feet after the striker had intercepted an uncharacteristic loose pass from Richard Sinclair.

Gibson should have opened the scoring six minutes later, but his rising shot from a loose ball 10 yards out flashed over the bar.

Whilst there was a lot of good play from both sides during the next quarter of an hour, particularly from a Paul Harvey-inspired Queen’s side, but neither goalkeeper was troubled during that period, and Danny Ferry helped continue that theme by sprinting back to make a great interception before Youngson could reach a dangerous Bavidge cutback.

Immediately after the break, Tully fired a vicious free kick over the bar whilst, in the 55^th minute Campbell became the first player to be booked for a tackle from behind on Alan Trouten who was becoming increasing involved in the game. Paul Harvey’s direct free kick was pushed round his right hand post by Mathers at the last second.

A long range shot from Ross Clark whizzed narrowly wide, and then David Crawford was lucky that his defenders were on hand to block Bavidge’s shot after the ‘keeper had dropped a corner that was never his to come for in the first place.

The defence again stood firm right on the hour mark when a Buchan pile-driver was blocked when it seemed destined for the back of the net. Then Frankie Carroll embarked on a solo run which ended with Mathers making a good low save to his left.

Buchan fired in another powerful effort in the 73^rd minute, but this time David Crawford was well positioned to take the shot cleanly.

An audacious Alan Trouten volley from a crossfield pass from Paul Harvey curled narrowly wide of Mather’s left hand post, and then the same player sent a dipping shot inches over the bar.

As Queen’s stepped up the pressure, Mathers comfortably held a Ross Clark free kick, and then Alan Trouten beat two defenders at the edge of the penalty area before firing his shot over the bar from a good central position.

With just under 10 minutes remaining David Weatherston’s name also entered referee Collum’s little black notebook for a silly tackle from behind.

Peterhead seemed increasingly anxious to secure a late winner, and Youngson shot wide after a good breakaway. Then a long range shot from Tully was well held on his line by Crawford.

And yet it was Queen’s who had the best chance of the game in the 87^th minute when David Weatherston picked out Frankie Carroll as the extra man in a swift Queen’s counter attack only for the prolific Spiders’ hit-man to fire over the bar after having done the hard bit in side-stepping the advancing Mathers.

It looked to have been a costly miss when Scott Michie shot home from close range in injury time, but straight from the kick off Queen’s won a corner and Frankie Carroll redeemed himself by sweeping the ball home from six yards after Shaun Molloy had risen well to nod the ball down for the little striker.

Whilst neither side deserved to lose this game, Queen’s were marginally the harder done by with the draw as they controlled the game for longer periods than their more esteemed visitors who now appear destined for the runners-up slot.

For their part, Queen’s could yet catch the faltering Cowdenbeath in the race for 3^rd place, but they need to do themselves justice by defeating Albion Rovers when the struggling Coatbridge side visit Hampden next Saturday.

As the injury list begins to show sign of improving, hopefully this will stand Queen’s in good stead over the remaining weeks of the season, and with youngsters like Andy McGinty showing their potential, there is plenty of cause for optimism.

A final word for referee William Collum who brought to an end the recent run of inept refereeing performances that Queen’s fans have been forced to witness during the last few weeks. His was a low-key performance, and that’s really all we desire from our officials, as it’s the players that we pay to see.

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE :  4/5

STAR SPIDER(S) :  Paul Harvey/Alan Trouten (each was magnificent during one half)

QUEEN’S PARK : David Crawford, Alan Trouten, Shaun Molloy, Andy McGinty, Richard Sinclair, Paul Harvey, Brian Felvus (David Weatherston – 63), Ross Clark, Danny Ferry, Frankie Carroll, Mark Ferry

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

Scorer(s) : Carroll (90)

Booked : M. Ferry (42 – late challenge), Weatherston (81-dangerous challenge)

PETERHEAD : Paul Mathers, Craig Tully, Iain Good (Allan Youngson – 35), Robbie Raeside, Mark Perry, Keith Gibson, Craig Campbell, Jamie Buchan, Scott Michie, Martin Bavidge (Bobby Linn – 70), Dougie Cameron (Shaun McSkimming – 70)

Subs (not used) : Barry Thompson (G/K), Danny Milne

Scorer(s) :   Michie (90)

Booked : Campbell (dangerous challenge – 55)

REFEREE : William Collum ****   (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)

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