Before
The Spiders face the Shire in a league match at Hampden and both teams will be looking for a win to springboard their positions. After five games, Queen's are joint 9th with Stirling Albion and East Stirling are rooted firmly to the bottom with just two points. If you have a feeling of deja vu, don't worry. Yes, these teams did meet last week, and yes, they will play again. QP fans will be obviously wanting a repeat of last Saturday's league cup affair, but maybe a more exciting match will be in prospect.........hopefully. East Stirling's league form has been erratic to say the least. A fortnight ago, they battled Morton at Firs Park, and gained a honourable 1-1 draw. Queen's played new-boys Gretna and a Danny Ferry goal secured a 1-0 win.
Queen's Park appear to have no real changes in their side, but whether Gordon Lappin will start as he did last week remains to be seen. Hopefully, McCormack will leave Chris Fisher in with John Gemmell - it is a front two that needs to be persisted with, in my view. John Gallagher, if available, may challenge new-boy Steven Fallon for the left-back spot. I would really like to see Willie Martin start, but where he would be play would be a mystery, with Allan, Gemmell and Fisher all in the eleven.
Recent encounters between the sides have been unpredictable. These two sides have been playing way back since season 1932/33, East Stirling getting a creditable draw in one of the encounters! Over the years, the gap has become more marginal, but I still favour QP to come out on top. 2-0 to the Hoops!!
In other news, Queen's have a tough, but no doubt exciting draw against Premier league side Dundee United in the league cup. There are so many players that could cause concern for QP so they will have to be on top form if they want to challenge the Terrors. John McCormack will be managing against his old rivals, Dundee United, seeing as he was at Dundee for a spell prior to coming to Hampden. There will definitely be a noisy away support for QP, cheering on their favourites. If you are interested in going to the game, see the club shop for a bus ticket. Keith McAllister is your man for all that stuff, the guy with the beard. The tie will take place at Dundee United's Tannadice Park on Tuesday 24th of September. The game should kick-off at 7:45. PM, that is. Ha.
After
I am numb, totally numb, after that shocking display. Queen's Park looked slow and lacklustre. East Stirling knew what the had to do and, to be fair, they did everything right. They sat back, pumped the ball forward, and looked for a break, which they got right at the death. The early goal deflated QP, but that happens far too often. It happened at Morton also. I'm sure that if Queens had scored early the game would have been over. East Stirling opened the scoring in the 4th minute, David Ormiston taking advantage of a defensive mix-up. Queens fought back somewhat and Danny Ferry had a shot that stung the palms of Scott Finlay. Poor passing and a total lack of communication set in, in the second half. The fans were left with their heads in their hands after Stephen Canning missed a glorious chance to equalise in the closing minutes. East Stirling defended, but did little else. In the dying minutes, after a Queen's Park surge, 'Shire broke away. Gerry Boyle rounded Colin Stewart with ease before slotting the ball calmly into the net. John McCormack's questionable use of tactics have to be brought under scrutiny too. James Allan was injured so he brought in John Gallagher, little more than a left-back, to replace him. The results were not pretty. Gallagher seemed lost and he stuck to defending. Cowboy must realise that certain QP players are not as flexible as they appear.
Goalkeeper Colin Stewart looked techically assured, but could be blamed for the two goals that he conceded. He and Damiano Agostini got in a mess which allowed Ormiston to score. He was easily rounded for the second goal. Otherwise untested.
Danny Ferry found himself in a right-midfield position and gave his all as usual. He definetely tried to rouse the players, but confusion and lethargy overcame his motivational skills. Battled hard.
Steven Fallon was played in the role that Danny Ferry normally fills. Unspectacular if nothing else.
Steven Moffat was substituted at half-time for a knock and was replaced by Richard Sinclair. Sinclair was slack and showed his lack of match practice by making clumsy errors.
Tony Quinn played his usual solid match, but was guilty of fading in and out of the match on too many occasions. Unclucky not to score in the second half with a header.
Johnny Whelan started brightly, but disappeared into insignificance in the second half. Replaced by Craig Taggart. He was equally helpless in changing the face of the game.
John Gemmell gets to every ball, but his lack of pace hurts his game greatly. Had one shot that was luckily saved.
Willie Martin worked his socks off, but couldn't add the finishing touches to his runs. This is mainly due to him playing mostly in a left-sided role to fill in for James Allan. Chris Fisher is in crutches. Reason unknown.
Stephen Canning replaced Brendan Crozier and impressed somewhat in the second half. Should have scored near the end. Didn't and QP paid the price.
Match Rating - DUD
Star Player - Willie Martin
Queens Park's rating : Stewart 6, Ferry 7, Fallon 6, Moffat 6 (Sinclair 5), Agostini 5, Quinn 6, Crozier 6 (Canning 7), Whelan 6 (Taggart 6), Gemmell 6, Martin 7, Gallagher 5