Sunday 23rd August v Ormond Saints at Torgylen Sports Centre 4-3 (0-0)
Martin Kelly, Craig McKenna, John Crosbie, Calum MacDonald, Stephen Stormonth, Arthur McCue (Fraser Marr), Ally McNaught (Robert Shimmons), Andy Dick, Paul Joyce (c), Andy McNaught jnr (David McLean) and Michael Monti
It was 9.30am on Sunday 14th June when the news came in to HQ.
The day before we had enjoyed our largest attended Sixes including our first foreign visitors and it was arguably one of the best and most emotional tournaments we had organised.
Despite that the text message stated, �the majority of the guys are leaving to start up their own team�.
Hours later in the Horseshoe Bar, where we had assembled to socialise with our friends from London, as you do, the four remaining team members, Iain Campbell, Arthur McCue, John Crosbie and Paul Joyce, wiped a tear fron their eye and ordered themselves a drink and..............................................toasted the rebirth of the QUEEN�S PARK SUPPORTERS TEAM, ya beauty !!
No more win at all costs, no more one man up front against nine men, no more high fives after somebody misses an open goal from two foot, no more imaginary fouls, no more trying to tell the referee how to do his job, no more cheating, no more getting bored on away trips, no more individuals, no more look at me and no more ignoring the opposition.
Oh well, onwards and upwards.
But how we would we be able to survive with only a squad of four and one of them a very reluctant player (Mr C) ? Well, we went back to our roots and gathered together a squad of Queen�s Park Supporters from the terraces/stands.
The first game of the season was arranged weeks before and we were delighted to welcome Gav Stewart and his Ormond Saints team to Torgylen.
Taking advice from legends Martin Harvey and Alan Raeburn, a squad of fourteen was assembled with Mr C taking the Managers reigns and Psycho the Club Captaincy.
Crossers and Arthur remained, as well as Craig McKenna who had played one previous game and Calum MacDonald, younger brother of Rab, who is keen to play this season.
Michael Monti was drafted into left midfield as one of eight debutants, the most we had fielded in one game since our very first outing way back in August 1987.
Martin Kelly was handed the gloves and we went for a 3-5-2 formation with Craig, Calum and Crossers along the back. In the midfield we had Michael on the left, Ally McNaught on the right and in the centre were Arthur, Stormy, making a welcome return, and Andy Dick, brother of Ally.
Up front were Paul and Young Andy McNaught who joined his brother in the team and was watched by his father Andy senior.
As you never know who might turn up, Alan �Tubsy� Raeburn had brought along his kit, as had Mr C (don�t know about the Harvey boy but I am sure he would have happily gone in goals in an emergency, aye, right), but neither of their services were required as we had Robert Shimmons, Davie McLean and the very talkative Fraser Marr to call on in reserve.
In a change to recent years, we had a support on the touchline with the Stormy family in attendance as well as another legend, Tam Moon, complete with bunnet, of course.
The referee was the ever cheerful Mr Ian Fitzpatrick of Kings Park which added another touch to the �good old days� theme.
Saintees had been struggling for a team a few days prior to the game but they managed to get thirteen meaning Manager Stewart didn�t have to play, a good thing for him and the game of football.
So, how would the boys shape up when some of them barely knew each other ?
Well, it couldn�t have gone any better.
It obviously took a few minutes to get going as we got used to each and Saintees are not a bad side and can pass the ball around well.
The defence started off well and they were protecting their keeper. Saintees got a couple of early shots at goal but the defence either blocked them or Martin was there to pluck the ball out of the air.
Up front Psycho was up against Young Gav, who was surprisingly playing at the back, and giving as good as he got whilst his strike partner Andy was putting himself about and fighting for every ball.
In the middle of the park Stormy was all energy, quelle surprise, and Arthur and Andy were getting stuck in and trying to get the ball out wide to Ally and Michael on the wings.
Mr C had predicted the end of boring goalless draws but the first half ended with neither side getting on the scoresheet despite plenty of attacking play.
Paul had gone close a couple of times with a couple of efforts and he almost set up Stormy with a cut back which the veteran midfielder would have buried, maybe. Calum also headed wide from a corner but he was also busy at the other end as the half finished with honours even.
Three changes at half time with Arthur, Ally and Andy Boy coming off to give us three more debutants in Robert, Davie and Fraser.
More of the same was the talk at half time and we did have the advantage of the slight wind that was blowing down Toryglen way.
Robert went on to the right wing whilst Davie went up front and Fraser slotted into the midfield berth with Stormy and Andy D.
The effort the guys were putting in was superb and we finally got our reward when we opened the scoring when Michael shot low into the corner for the first goal of the new era.
The lead didn�t last long, however, as a cross caused problems in the area and a Saintee fired the ball home for an equaliser.
Undaunted we came back at the visitors and Michael again put us ahead with a shot from outside the area which found the net.
Time for another couple of changes and Stormy and Andy D came off to be replaced by Arthur and Ally. Stormy had done well considering he had been out till 3am with some of our friends from Edinburgh City in the Capital !
It was still a good game and was end to end but we lost a bad goal when Craig turned and passed back to Martin����.who was standing just behind him. The ball rolled into the net and the scores were level. No tears, no greeting, no blame attached, we just got on with it.
Saints took heart from the goal and were now in charge as we struggled to get out of our own half. It was no surprise when we went behind for the first time when a shot from outside the box flew into the net past a ruck of players.
We were lucky to avoid a fourth goal when Calum deflected the ball onto the underside of our bar, after Martin had missed a cross, and we somehow got the ball clear in the resulting melee.
There were less than ten minutes left so Ally was pushed into attack to give us three up front as we went in search of an equaliser and the skipper duly obliged as Paul managed to turn his marker and shot into the corner to put us level again.
The spirits were lifted, Saintees looked tired at the back, and we took advantage with only a couple of minutes left as Arthur floated over a superb corner in the six yard box which Craig headed home for the winner.
Fitzy blew the final whistle shortly afterwards and we had come away with a hard fought win.
A superb all round effort throughout the team and everybody played for each other and gave their all. The most experienced part of the team was the defence and they kept things tight with Martin doing well between the sticks despite the bad second goal.
The midfield and forwards all gave it 100% (you can�t give any more !) and they matched a good Saintees side who played the game in the right spirit.
Everybody contributed and all agreed that they had enjoyed the game, well this was after Crossers asked them all and would you say no to a man of his age ?
It was back to the Viccy Bar after the game for hospitality, thanks to the pub for the pies, and it was an excellent turn out with the team being joined by our many supporters as well. It also turned into a long night and I am sure we have a lot more of them to come !
Thanks to Gav and his Saints team for coming through to Glasgow and for coming back to the pub as well. Their company is always welcome.
A good start and it was great to win the game but the most important part was that we were on the park in the first place.
The adventure continues�������.
Players of the Day: Craig McKenna and Michael Monti
Photos
Sssshhhhh the Captains talking
�As you may or may not be aware, this is the start of a new exciting time for QPSFC as we have had a lot of personnel changes for the season ahead. Following on from our first game it was nice to see that little whiny girls and prima donnas have moved on, some say to pastures new, I say who cares !!
The spirit and fight shown on Sunday was nothing short of excellent, and, even when we looked out of it a little, we dug deep and got our just desserts in the end. All this from a team that by all accounts should have been taking its time to gel - didn�t take long did it.
Hopefully we can have many more performances like that and the results should take care of themselves. I look forward to seeing and getting to know you all in the coming weeks and especially on away trips (I�m sure you have heard all about how good they are).�
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