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| Saturday saw the visit of East Stirlingshire to Hampden, an event that is usually eagerly awaited by Spiders fans, with the good chance of getting three points from the game, but is also a game which fans fear; believing Shire could sneak a result. This match was slightly different to our usual encounters with the Falkirk side, as today Shire came to Hampden with renewed optimism. having picked up four points from their last two points, and having witnessed a distinct change in fortunes caused by improved performances, the fans who did make the journey were equally optimistic about getting at least a draw from the game. Queen's had few injury worries ahead of the game, although Damiano Agostini was still missing through the shin injury inflicted on him in the game against Cowdenbeath at Central Park a few weeks ago. The Spiders were also missing David McCallum, something they will have to get used to with the former Thistle midfielder having to retire far too early from football. His hardworking attitude and the way he was comfortable on the ball at all times will be missed by Queen's, not too mention his blistering shots and precise delivery from set-pieces. David Harvey was again in the Shire line-up, with five changes made since the memorable game at Firs Park where the full back stole the show with his two own goals. What a pity Queen's didn't put nearly as much pressure on the Shire defence as they did that day. The game began very slowly, the players perhaps demoralised by the dismal wet and cold conditions. The bottom side were the first to threaten when some neat football down the left hand side saw them force a corner, but they were unable to convert any chance they had inside the box. Evidence that Queen's were perhaps taking the game slightly easier than most league games didn't take too long to appear as the players didn't seem to have any urgency on the ball. They seemed more content to pass the ball around, and occasionally try the occasional back-heel. They forgot that this only works if you are going to threaten the defence and score goals. Shire were much more comfortable on the ball then I have seen them in recent seasons, and they threatened again in the twelfth minute when Joe Robertson found Norwegian Carl Thywissen whose low shot was shakily saved by Crawford. Soon after, Queen's threatened for really the first time in the match. Paul Harvey, who was to be honest too laid-back in the midfield over the course of the match, found Alan Trouten to his right who played a ball with supreme vision through to Stewart Kettlewell who was only denied close range by Tony Mitchell. It was a double blow for the Spiders in that moment as Kettlewell was injured as Mitchell saved the attempt on goal. The young midfielder showed great commitment to want to continue playing, but due to the fact he could barely walk let alone run, he was replaced by Martin Bonnar in a straight swap. Queen's finally began to exert some pressure on the visitors, and began to put some crosses into the box to test Mitchell, who is occasionally suspect with crossed balls. Paul Harvey's cross evaded the ex-Spiders keeper but Paul's namesake David cleared superbly off the line. Shire nearly again put the ball in their own net, but it was somehow scrambled away by a defence who surely would have cracked if Queen's had been relentless in attack. Mitchell was again tested immediately after when he stopped an Ally Graham header from point blank range. How he managed to keep it out is beyond me. Livingstone at left wing back for the Shire was a constant source of problems for Queen's and looked a neat footballer into the bargain. A good run put him into a good position for a shot, but Donaldson got in the way and the ball flew harmlessly over the bar. Arguably the best effort on goal in the first half came through Mark Ferry who crashed in a shot from thirty yards, but Mitchell was again in superb form to acrobatically tip the ball away. Despite more pressure before the interval, Queen's were unable to break the deadlock and both sides went into half-time with what I imagine would be very different opinions on the first half at Hampden. The home side finally began to show some urgency and a need to score, from the hour mark onwards but were unable to do so. Derek Ure then had the chance in the sixty-fourth minute to put his team into a shock, but not undeserved lead. He was put through on Crawford with a fine pass, but somehow contrived to score, his shot almost impossibly going wide of the post. I for one thought he had scored. Bonnar then had the chance to open the scoring after a marauding run and cross from Shaun Molloy gave him the ball in the area but his shot cracked off the crossbar to the dismay of the supporters. The ever impressive Trouten was again in on the action to play Ross Clark in on goal but Mitchell again was called in to do the business for his side, stretching round to tip the ball round the post. Urgency turned to desperation inside the closing fifteen minutes as Queen's realised time was running out to score the winning goal. East Stirlingshire though just about had their hands on the point, and were extremely reluctant to relent. Bryan Felvus came on for the Spiders in a bid to boost the attack but was ineffective in the time he was on the park. Alan Trouten had the last real chance to get the three points and the ball looked to be heading home when Mitchell fumbled the ball, but he managed to hold on for the save. Neither side had any real chances from then on in, and a frustrating match for the home support ended in a draw. The frustration on our part was not that we dominated the game and failed to score, but that we didn't dominate the game and at the same time failed to score when playing against a surely inferior side. Don't be mistaken, all credit to Shire, but these are games we will need to win if we have any real aspirations of finishing third and going on to challenge next season. Queen's Park: David Crawford, Alan Trouten, Shaun Molloy, Steven Reilly, Richard Sinclair, Paul Harvey ( Bryan Felvus 75 ) , Stewart Kettlewell ( Martin Bonnar 17 ( Gavin Rushford 75 )), Ross Clark, Ally Graham, Frankie Carroll, Mark Ferry. Substitutes not used: Brian Blair, Steven McGovern. East Stirlingshire: Tony Mitchell, David Harvey, Scott Livingstone, Steven Oates, Jamie McKay, Graham McGhee, Johnny Walker ( Paul Ross 90 ), Carl Thywissen, Ross Donaldson ( Jamie Dunbar 60 ), Derek Ure, Joe Robertson ( Sean McAuley ). Substitutes not used: Ross Gilpin, Chris Baldwin. Bookings: Robertson, Walker. Referee: I. Frickleton Attendance: 457. |
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