This game will see the club's first visit to Cappielow on league duty since 22 November 1966 and on that occasion, we lost 5-0. The big question for Saturday is, will Cowboy recall John Gallagher and John Gemmell, who were suspended for the Berwick wonderland? It would be a shame for those who would be replaced, as it was a magnificent team performance all round on Tuesday. However, both Gallagher and Gemmell have looked good so far this season. Dunning, Menelaws, Magee and Borland will all be missing. There may be some others after a gruelling 2 game a week schedule for the last few weeks. Oh, forgot, Gordon Lappin will also be unavailable.
The Brechin cup game has a 7.30 pm kick off on Tuesday. Bring everyone you know.
22 Aug The famous cup run of 2002
It's turning into that after a fantastic win over Berwick on Tuesday evening at Shielfield. A passionate display from Queen's, allied with no little skill, was enough to see off a home side who appeared surprised by the level of play shown by their visitors. Despite trailing at half-time, Queen's never deserved to be behind, and deservedly levelled thanks to a Whelan penalty. Then after 64 minutes, James Allan scored a goal that will be remembered for many years to come. It took a while to finally hit the net, but when it did the scenes were ones of pure joy. That was enough, and the first cup semi-final the Spiders have reached for 74 years beckons. Brechin City will visit Hampden next week, and already I'm dreaming of a final. We will play St. Mirren or Queen of the South in that final, by the way. The cup run is a welcome diversion from some disappointing league form, but hopefully we can keep the adrenaline going at Cappielow on Saturday. Click here for match stats from THE game.
19 Aug The Park unable to beat ten-man East Fife
Queen's could only manage a goalless draw with East Fife on Saturday. The Fifers had Craig Farnan sent off after 18 minutes, but despite dominating possession, Queen's could not find the target. This may have been the first point of the season, but it's a worrying start from Queen's Park. Click here for the match report. The club signed 29 year old striker Craig Taggart before the game, in time for him to make his debut as a substitute. Amongst the player's former clubs are Derry City, Clydebank, Stirling Albion and Ross County.
14 Aug The Unforgettable Cup-Tie
A remarkable result last night for the QP- and I wasn't there to see it. Again. But, hey, who cares. We're through, after an unbelievably dramatic game. Let's be honest, as Queen's fans, we haven't been privy to much enjoyment over the past year, so to win this game just feels brilliant. John McCormack had complained about a lack of real determination from his side on Saturday, and the criticism prompted a superb response from the team. Tony Mitchell and Steven Moffat were the main heroes; Moffat grabbed two goals, the first a 48th minute header, the second a quickly taken free kick on the stroke of half-time in extra time, after Forfar custodian Brown had been red-carded for handling outwith his area. He also converted a spot-kick in the shootout to complete a thoroughly impressive performance, and he played a big part in keeping out the Second Division side, after Queen's had gone down to 10 men after Forfar's first equaliser. John Gemmell had been dismissed ( two yellows ) and he was joined in the changing room by John Gallagher near the end. The card-happy referee also ejected Forfar's McCulloch from the field. Simply incredible. In the penalty decider, all ten kicks were converted before Tony Mitchell dived to his left to give Queen's the advantage. It all depended on Willie Martin- another fine performer after coming off the bench- and he made no mistake. Another long midweek journey will be needed for next week's quarter-final: Berwick away. I may have to skip school to make it, but I'll do everything in my power.
13 Aug Penalty shoot out win over Forfar in Bell's Cup
Queen's Park won a place in the last eight of the Bell's Cup with an excellent victory over Forfar at Station Park. The match finished 2-2 after extra time, with QP triumphing 6-5 in the shootout. An unexpected boost, and who would have thought it, after the disappointment of Montrose? Steven Moffat scored both Queen's goals, after 48 and 105 minutes, with Bavidge and Tosh equalising, in 65 and 114 minutes. Both teams ended up with 9 men, Gallagher and Gemmell being sent-off for Queen's. A remarkable match. More details tomorrow.
Get match stats here.
12 Aug Latest developments
Due to my absence, I've been unable to give details of what's been happening over the past week, so I'll give a brief summary now. Queen's have started their league campaign with two defeats; the first a narrow and ill-deserved 2-1 loss to a fortunate Elgin City at Hampden, with that ancient Queen's bugbear of missed chances again proving their downfall. This was followed by a narrow and thoroughly deserved 1-0 defeat by Montrose at Links Park on Saturday just past. Go to the Match Reports and Results page to obtain match reports of these games. On a brighter note, progress has been made in the Bell's Cup, with league newcomers Gretna beaten 2-1 in their first ever game at Hampden. Now Queen's face a hard task in playing Forfar, who condemned Queen's to relegation 2 seasons ago. Kick off at Station Park is at 7.45 pm on Tuesday night. Stewart Thomson was signed prior to the match against Elgin City and is now Queen's second choice goalkeeper for the coming season.
2 Aug Team news for Elgin City match
In addition to the unavailability of Whelan ( ligaments ), Borland ( recovering from cartilage operation ), Dunning ( knee ) and Menelaws ( recovering from broken leg ), Darren Magee will also miss the big kick-off. The former Dundee midfielder has a shoulder injury.
It's hard to guess what John McCormack's line up will be, but I would expect that, of the new signings, Moffat, Agostini and John Gallagher would be very likely to start the match. James Allan is a real possibility to play, probably in a wide right role. Willie Martin may partner John Gemmell up front, though I would say Paddy Gallagher is another prime candidate. At present , we have just one signed goalkeeper ( Tony Mitchell ), so I am unsure of who will be on the bench as cover for the position: possibly trialist Stewart Thomson.
1 Aug Marshall moves to Second Division club
Stephen Marshall has signed for Stranraer. The midfielder made 53 starts and 2 sub appearances in the league for the club, scoring 4 goals. He was signed during summer 2000 and scored on his debut against Berwick Rangers, Queen's Park's first game out of the bottom division for 17 years, in a 1-0 win. A blow for the manager, again: probably not as much of a loss as Neil Collins, but a loss nonetheless. He joins fellow ex-Spider Kevin Finlayson at Stair Park.
Johnny Whelan will miss the opening day game against Elgin City on Saturday. He is recovering from ligament damage. Dunning and Menelaws will also not be fit and will likely miss a few weeks after this match, at the very least. More team news on Friday.
More August 2002 news