| Queen's Park |
| 3 |
| Brechin City |
| 0 |
| Canning, Trouten (2pens) |
| Only two players departure means that most of Billy Starks promotion squad have signed again for the campaign ahead of us. Which should bring us both good times and bad, but i, aswell as other fans are prepared for both expected and unexpected. So the wait is finally over and Queen's Park got of to a perfect start to the season. The visitors to Hampden today, were not in for an easy game, especially with three defenders suspended and and soon to add to the list Goalkeeper Craig Nelson. The Brechin players were basically attempting to kick our players of the park, no dicipline from Michael O'Niel's men. The gameplay to begin with got of to a good start with early chances for the spiders to go one up. A Mick Dunlop long ball was guided towards Paul Ronald, then immediatly through to Kettlewell which couldn't get as much contact with the ball as he might have wanted, resulting in a goal kick just two or three minutes into the match. Nervous and tense opening minutes but the spiders could have had a penalty not long after when Canning appeared to have his jersey pulled by Adam Nelson, but Stevie stood on his to feet only to have his efforts cleared away by the defence. On the other side of the pitch i have to say Mark Cairns didn't look to comfortable in goal coming out for balls but not catching them. City had there first real chance of the match when Niel Janczyk hit a hard ball towards to edge of the post, looked to be missing the target, but saftey first for Cairns, and he gets his hands to the ball to knock it out of play for a corner kick, which eventually resulted in queen's clearing the ball from the danger zone. Fifteen valuble minutes into the match and so much action already, Captain Sinclair in possesion of the ball finding a pass over the defence bouncing in front of Canning he times his lob over the keeper, qp celebrate their first goal of the season and Nelson picks out the ball from the net for the first time this season. What a goal though, making a fantastic run to get into the position behind the defence and neatly hits the ball over the goalie. Its early in the game and still alot of work to do, and City where still puting pressure on the queen's backline, when Russell got into a good position infront of goal. Damaino bravley slid into the ball, clearing away the attack, if he hadn't timed into to prefection then i think the referee Stephen Nicholls would have to award the penalty kick. As both sets of teams made their way back to their dressing room with a well deserved fifteen minute break, the fans couldn't stop talking about various points in the match, it really was an exciting first half. Queen's Park one Brechin City Nil. The game's second half got underway with amost the same start as the first fast and attacking from both sides. Dangerous play by our goalkeeper again when Cairns rushed off his goal line to collect a ball from the inswinging cross but didn't catch the ball and tried again but failed leaving an empty net for the Brechin Players to attack, gosh this is one all isn't it ? Third time lucky for cairnsy as he finally grabs the ball in his hands.Kettwell had a perfect chance to double the lead when paton gave the ball to him via long ball over the defence and Stuart attempts to score in the same way Canning did, with a lob over the keeper but his efforts sored over the bar. I recall Basil stating from the stand, that their are more ways of scoring into them, than chipping the keeper. Stuart Kettlewell made a decisive pass to the sprinting Canning, slowing down slightly he turns past the defender before being tripped. The refferee runs over to the box pointing to the spot. The penalty taker was no other than Alan Trouten, who places the ball on the circle dot in the box before sending Craig Nelson, the Brechin City goalkeeper the wrong way to give Queen's a two goal lead. What a start to the season. Brilliant. If the two goals wasn't enough, could we possibly get the third ? The linesman kept his flag down as the apparently offside Trouten raced towards the ball and finding himself one on one with Craig Nelson. Alan easily moves the ball past the City goalkeeper before being pulled to the ground. Referee Stephen Nicholls, which at his point not only points to the spot for Queen's second penalty of the match but had no choice but to give Nelson his marching orders, joining the list of Michael O'Niel's suspended players.Alan Trouten had the duties again to take the spot kick, this time sub goalkeeper Chris McCulskey between the sticks. Alan took a few steps back this time before making his way to strike the ball past the keeper who dived the right way but couldn't get to it. Full time the refferee indicates by blowing his whistle three times and the spiders make their way to the tunnell and the fans make their way to clap them off after a great game. The announcer informs the man of the match, solid defender wearing number three, Mick Dunlop. So, one game into the season and im confident, yes there is alot of work to be done and it won't be an easy task. The players are up for it aswell as the fans. Queen's Park: Mark Cairns, Paul Paton, Mick Dunlop, Richard Sinclair, Damiano Agostini, Alan Trouten, Stuart Kettlewell, Paul Cairney (Tony Quinn), Paul Ronald (Richard Bowers), Steven Canning (Stuart McGrady), Mark Ferry. Subs Not used: Alex Cowie, Shaun Molloy. Bookings: Damiano Agostini Brechin City: Craig Nelson, David Murie, Richard Walker, Chris Hughes (Charlie King), Trialist (Chris McCluskey), Adam Nelson, Kevin Byers, Niel Jaczyk (Barry Callaghan), Martin Johnston, Iain Russell, Darren Smith. Subs Not used: Calum Smith, Chris Geddes. Bookings: David Murie, Iain Russell, Craig Nelson(Sent off) Referee: Stephen Nicholls Attendance: 768 |