By The Spider
August 23 2004

Saturday, 21st August, 2004 Queen’s Park 1 Albion Rovers 1 (Bells Scottish League – Third Division) (Picture from qpfc.com) This was so nearly the great escape of all time, but Q.P. finally conceded an equaliser in the 4th minute of injury time.

More than enough has been said elsewhere on this website about the events which led to Bobby Dickson and Scott Murdoch being in charge for this game, so check out the appropriate threads on the Message Board if you need to cover that old ground. The team sheet revealed that the new dynamic duo were quite prepared to be their own men as they handed Alan Trouten his first start whilst goalkeeper David Crawford became the third goalkeeper to wear the No. 1 jersey in consecutive league games.

Ross Clark was being encouraged to get into the ‘Rovers box whenever possible and he became the first player to bring either ‘keeper into action when he forced a save from Fahey with his header from a Paul Harvey cross. The little livewire was in the thick of much of the early action, and Patrick was booked in the 14^th minute for a late trip on the Queen’s midfielder.

Bradford raised the hopes of visiting fans when he struck the side netting with a low shot in the 17^th minute, and seconds later David Crawford had to back-pedal to clutch a lob from the visiting striker.

Two minutes later though Queen’s took the lead out of nothing, with former Spider Jim Mercer being the guilty party. Quite what was going through the ‘Rovers’ captain’s mind only he will know, but perhaps not seeing Ross Clark retreating from the ‘Rovers’ penalty area he elected to attempt to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper. Gratefully accepting the gift, the Queen’s midfielder controlled the ball and turned in one movement before coolly slotting the ball past Fahey’s outstretched left arm.

The portly figure of Yardley had the chance of an equaliser two minutes later when he was given time and space to take a free header near the penalty spot, but instead he made a poor decision to chest the ball down instead which allowed two defenders to close him down and clear the danger.

Just after the half hour mark, McGowan headed a corner over the bar as it became obvious that ‘Rovers enjoyed a considerable height advantage when they assembled for set pieces. Two minutes after that, a Bradford shot was deflected inches wide, and then Mercer also sent a free header past the same upright.

Whilst young David Crawford had yet to make a save, little had been seen of Queen’s as an attacking force since taking the lead, as witnessed by the fact that their next sight of goal came seconds before the half time whistle when Brian Blair stooped to get his head to a left wing David McCallum cross, but from close range he nodded wide.

Both sides emerged unaltered after the interval, but McKenzie looked a changed man as he began to torment the home defence. David McCallum was correctly booked in the 47^th minute for a late challenge on the visitors’ right winger, and a minute later the Queen’s left wingback was again in the right place at the right time to clear a Bradford header off the line after the ball had come off a post.

Queen’s responded five minutes later when Frankie Carroll showed great strength to hold off two defenders to force the ball past Fahey, but it too was cleared off the line.

Just as Queen’s had been given a lead which they ill deserved at this stage, so the visitors were gifted their best chance to equalise shortly afterwards. As McKenzie sped into the Queen’s area, Paul Harvey was unable to keep up with him. Instead of using his experience to realise that any challenge must result in a penalty and hope that a defender could move in to snuff out the increasing danger, Harvey barged McKenzie from behind for a penalty that was so obvious that he was already walking back to the 18-yard line before McKenzie had completed his fall. Stirling stepped up to make what would normally be his usual competent job from the spot, but we were then treated to a fantastic reflex save from David Crawford who dived full length to his right to acrobatically fingertip the ball around the post.

From the resultant corner the Queen’s ‘keeper again proved he was up to the task when he confidently held Mercer’s powerful netbound header. This was to be the first of a series of ‘Rovers’ attacks in what, for the purposes of this report, could well be referred to as “the Alamo period”.

Bradford sliced a first time effort wide from a good position before David Crawford made his only mistake of the game by dallying too long on a clearance which Patrick charged down before fastening onto the loose ball and turning to send in a cross from the left wing which Yardley headed over.

Ally Graham tested Fahey from long range in the 67^th minute, but ‘Rovers were quickly encamped in Queen’s half again and Mercer was next to head over when in front of goal. The same player finally got a back post header on target shortly afterwards before McKenzie was booked in the 76^th minute for kicking the ball away following the award of a goal kick as the visitors’ frustrations increased.

Queen’s put together perhaps their best move of the season a minute later, but Fahey denied Alan Trouten what would have been a fitting conclusion. Some great midfield play from Ross Clark ended with a superb crossfield pass to Bryan Felvus who was also denied by Fahey.

McKenzie continued to be the visitor’s best player, and he sent a chipped shot inches wide before forcing a fine save from David Crawford with a low shot. Yardley missed the chance of the game with just four minutes remaining when he intercepted an Agostini headed back-pass only to nod the golden invitation over the bar from inside the six yard box as David Crawford stood rooted to his line unsure of how to deal with the massive figure which loomed large before him!

Ally Graham could have sealed the game for Queen’s two minutes later, but his finely judged glancing header was cleared off the line by Silvestro.

McKenzie continued to wage war on a by now totally beleaguered defence, and he saw one shot saved and another just clear the bar as the game entered injury time. It began to look as if somehow Queen’s might hold on to win a game, which on clear-cut chances alone they should have perhaps lost, but it wasn’t to be.

There can be no denying that ‘Rovers were at least worthy of their point, but Queen’s might have a grievance as to whether referee Downie was allowing a minute longer than he should. Whilst the academic debate ensued in the stand, play raged on and Stevie Reilly conceded a foul outside the area on Crabbe. It was all the invitation that Jered Stirling needed, and he made amends for his earlier penalty miss by crashing the direct free kick beyond Crawford who looked bewildered that the ball should have been able to find its way through a wall which had somehow parted to leave an enticing gap in it.

Annoying as it was to lose that late goal, it would have been totally tongue in cheek for Queen’s to claim that they had been robbed, so amidst the disappointment there was a realistic acceptance of the outcome.

Next Saturday Queen’s face their hardest task of the season so far when big spending Gretna visit Hampden. There is no way that they will pass up as many chances as ‘Rovers did in this game, so Queen’s will need to find some extra midfield drive from somewhere or they could be onto something of a hiding.

It is highly unlikely that any new coaching team would be in place by then, which may just be a blessing in disguise for the eventual incumbent(s).

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE :  3/5

STAR SPIDER(S) :  David Crawford (penalty save showed brilliant reflexes)

QUEEN’S PARK :  David Crawford, Alan Trouten, David McCallum (Damiano Agostini – 64), Gavin Rushford, Stevie Reilly, Shaun Molloy, Ross Clark, Paul Harvey, Ally Graham, Frankie Carroll (Bryan Felvus – 70), Brian Blair (Stuart Kettlewell – 88)

Subs (not used) :  Stevie McGovern (G/K), David Weatherston

Scorer(s) : Ross Clark (19)

Booked : McCallum (47 – late challenge)

ALBION ROVERS : Chris Fahey, Chris Silvestro, Jered Stirling, Danny Black, Jamie McGowan, Graeme McLaren, Marc McKenzie, Ricky Patrick (Graeme McCaul – 82), Mark Yardley, John Bradford (Scott Crabbe – 70), Jim Mercer

Subs (not used) :  Mathew Carr (G/K), Andy Paterson, Charles Connolly

Scorer(s) :   Stirling (90)

Booked : Patrick (14 – trip), McKenzie (76 – dissent)

REFEREE : Jamie Downie ***  (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)