By The Spider
January 26 2004

Saturday, 24th January, 2004 Queen's Park 1 Montrose 1 (Bells Scottish League - Third Division)

This was very nearly the game that never was, but fortunately the downpour which threatened this match an hour before kick-off relented sufficiently to allow referee Mitchell to give the go-ahead, albeit that the pitch still carried a little surface water in places at kick-off time.

As widely anticipated, re-affirmed coach Kenny Brannigan gave the thumbs up to the same team and squad that had brought all three points back from Gretna the previous Saturday.

However, it quickly became clear that both teams were going to struggle in the soggy conditions and whilst Gibson got into good position in the 3^rd minute, his weak shot across the surface proved easy for Derek Scrimgour to collect.  A minute later, Stevie Fallon found himself in similar circumstances as his low drive sploshed its way through to Butter.

Scrimgour was in the right place to save a low 10^th minute drive from Michie, but he could only look on seconds later as an excellent shot on the turn from Smart skidded inches past the ‘keeper’s left hand post.

Queen’s were struggling to make any real headway against a Montrose side who were clearly enjoying Hampden’s expansive playing surface as they kept possession well with some quick passing movements. However the pace of Derek Carcary was clearly causing them problems, particularly right back Donnachie, and when the youngster was sent clean through by Harvey in the 27^th minute, his first effort was blocked by Butter before his instinctive attempt from the close range rebound went narrowly past the far post.

Montrose themselves were no slouches up front and a speedy break saw Wood fire over from just inside the area in the 31^st minute. Shortly afterwards another quick break away resulted in Webster being put through one on one with Derek Scrimgour, but the Queen’s ‘keeper stood up well to block the initial close range effort, and then at full stretch Danny Ferry intercepted the rebound destined for the unmarked Michie at the back post.

Queen’s came back into the game just before half time and Frankie Carroll saw a powerful drive saved before Ross Clark put in a superb cross for Jonny Whelan whose perfect diving header was amazingly turned over by Butter at point blank range.

In stamina sapping conditions, fitness was going to be a major factor and when Queen’s stepped up a gear after the interval, Montrose were unable to match them and the home side began to enjoy plenty of possession which they began to put to good use.

Frankie Carroll did well to anticipate a backwards defensive header which he intercepted before showing good quick feet which seemed as if they would take him round the advancing Butter. However, the experienced ‘keeper also showed good anticipation and he reacted very well to smother the ball at the Queen’s striker’s feet.

Then Derek Carcary shot narrowly over the bar as did Stevie Fallon when he was first to react to a punched clearance from Butter.

When the opening goal finally did arrive in the 64^th minute, it was down to a defensive error although Carcary’s perseverance and pace were contributing factors in his earning of a penalty as a defender was attempting to boot a loose ball clear. Stevie Reilly slotted the award home low to Butter’s right.

Within seconds of the restart, Smith was deservedly booked for a late crunching tackle from behind on Frankie Carroll.

Jonny Whelan was trying hard to get on the scoresheet himself and a 73^rd minute header from a long free kick was saved by Butter low at his right hand post. Scrimgour did likewise four minutes later with a long range effort from Smart, and then it was Butter’s turn again when he stopped a low drive from Carcary after the youngster had cut in from the left wing.

By now Queen’s looked to be running out of steam though and Montrose began to find their second wind as they sought to take something from a game which should have been beyond them had Queen’s capitalised on their earlier ascendancy.

The Spiders had a narrow escape when a 86^th minute free kick from Webster dipped just over the bar with Scrimgour guarding the opposite side, but Montrose’s equaliser was delayed by only a minute. Substitute Henderson caused the damage when his curling right foot shot came back off Scrimgour’s left hand post and up popped Steve Kerrigan to show excellent predatory instincts and volley home the rebound from six yards out.

It was a shame that Queen’s could not hold out to collect the three points they probably just deserved for their second half superiority, but hopefully Kenny Brannigan will appreciate that the heavy conditions were not best suited to his forward pairing of Carroll and Carcary, and both should be given another opportunity next week away to East Stirlingshire.

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE : 3/5

STAR SPIDER :  Danny Ferry (a sure-footed and faultless performance)

QUEEN’S PARK : Derek Scrimgour, Danny Ferry,  David Stewart, Ross Clark, Damiano Agostini, Stevie Fallon, Paul Harvey (Stuart Kettlewell – 61), Stevie Relly, Frankie Carroll (Paddy Gallagher – 83), Jonny Whelan, Derek Carcary

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

Scorer(s) : Reilly (64 – pen)

Booked : none

MONTROSE : Jim Butter, Barry Donnachie, Stuart Ferguson, Elliot Smith, John McQuillan, Steve Kerrigan, Kevin Webster, Keith Gibson (Graeme Sharpe - 65), Scott Michie, Martin Wood (Robbie Henderson – 81), Craig Smart (Darren Spink – 84)

Subs (not used) : Michael Hankinson (G/K), Greig Smith

Scorer(s) : Kerrigan (87)

Booked : Smith (late tackle from behind)

REFEREE :  Garry Mitchell ***   (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)