| Queen's Park |
| 3 |
| Ross County |
| 2 |
| Sinclair, Canning, Dunn |
Queen's on Tuesday, not at their best on the day but in all honesty what a team we have. The squad is strong and on form. Tough games still ahead of us and still along way to the end, but we shouldn't be wanting the season to be finished now, finish in style. Wins against Ayr away, and both Alloa and Brechin city at home is the best start we could ask for. Stevie Canning scoring in all three matches and scoring goals with-out David Weatherston people wondered how we would do, but we seem to be on a role. Ross County is the next visitors to Hampden Park and themselves are on to an OK start to the season two points behind us in the league table. Winning two-nil against Ayr United and Drawing two all against Cowdenbeath puts them in third position in the league. Todays match should be a thrilling one and both teams will be up for the win, and ideally a point would be a good result but as i said before the Ayr United away match last week, the game is there to be won. In that occasion we won three-two with a last minute three points clinched by Alan Trouten put us top of the league early on. One thing i can say before the game and made sense after the game, is that we have a fit squad with tremendous stamina. This would prove vital against the phisical presence of teams like Ayr United, Airdrie, Raith Rovers and of course our opponents today Ross County. With players who can work for one hundred and twenty minutes plus a penalty shoot-out and most importantly win against a strong SPL side Aberdeen proves we can go the distance with any team in this division. Early tense moments not long into the match a minute at the most saw Ross County's early attack from Petrie's header bounced of the cross bar. Queen's got the pressure back on county not long after with a shot that Paul Cairney maybe should have put on target. A run from Kettlewell with the ball slid the ball to Cairney who has as an effort at goal, but slides just by the wood work. So close very early on. NERVOUS ! A Queen's Park corner, delievered from Alan Trouten. The ball in the middle and Tony Quinn gets the knock on and Richard Sincair gets his boot on the ball. The ball travels past the helpless goalkeeper and passed the line. The fans are going crazy and Queen's go one nil up. Up to the goal Queen's could have eased their way to four goals if it wasn't for the goalkeeper, we had good chances and the county defense wasn't in shape at all in the first quater of the game, the had chances up front but when it came to the back line they fouled and made mistakes. And talking about fouling, the referee didn't know what a Ross County foul was. Very consistent with giving things against us and nothing for us, to the point that players could have been injured. The referee Euan Norris, you could definetly define this guy as a joke. His stupidity and sheer awful and inaccurate decisions needed no assistance by the two linesmen who disagreed with im in plenty of occasions. Once again the referee was a joke. I can't remember exactly when this incident occured but Richard Sinclair clearly made a superb tackle with out question he won the ball but he got booked from this terrible match official. Our ranting and raving ant the abysmal referee wasn't over when Ross County got an equaliser. A crossed ball into the dangeour are was again knocked on and Iain Anderson got the header on target to the left hand side of the non-moving Mark Cairns and into the net. One all. I don't think Cairns could do to much about this one. His stance was flat footed and when the ball was directed at goal via Anderson's header his feet where planted to the surface. The goal many people will argue was against the run of play but at half time it was fair to say the score was fair at half time at one a piece. Five minutes aftet the interval Queen's pilled on the pressure in search for the lead. Alan Trouten on the break waiting for support, which eventually came from Paul Cairney. Trouten made the pass but was intercepted by the County back line. Now this player i am about to mention always gets critisism from the fans, usually in a joking way. But when you give Robert Dunn the chance he will perform and supply the goods. When he came on surprisingly he made a huge impact on the game. His long ball over the top for the sprinting Alan Trouten almost ran out of play and the keeper even thought of coming out the area to get it but quickly moved back thinking either the ball is going out or Trouten has got it. Doesn't really matter what the keeper thought and Alan Trouten did collect it and immediatley plays the ball across the box and Canning gets to the ball smashing the ball in for the second Queen's goal giving us the lead again. Two-one Queen's, and a very intresting, entertaining match ahead of us. So as explained Robert Dunn, given a chance will play to the best of his ability nine times out of ten and he proved it today. Not only involved in one attack resulting in a goal but played a more involved piece of work in the second. After a Ross County attack that failed, the ball landed at Dunn's feet. Playing the ball out on the wide left side of the field to reach Paul Cairney who dribbles the ball up the flank, he continues to run. Cairney is tracked from behind by his own player Mick Dunlop in support. After Mick lost the ball for a split second his determanation to get the ball was what he needed and in this, he regained posession of the ball and cut in slightly before playing the ball into the penalty area for Robert Dunn. Nothing more than sliding the ball into the bottom corner to the near post was needed and Queen's where three - one up. Ross County full time team, looking at the match today expecting three points. No one can expect three points at Hampden Park against Queen's. County where not finished yet, and even if there is what, ten minutes on the clock there is still alot of work to be done. We had to keep our composure, our same style and not to defensive in which we did. Giving it there last gasp of hope of a draw even, County looked to be far from it. McCulloch thought differently and getting himself in a good position away from his marker, he sticks his head on the in swinging corner to pull one goal back. A few minutes and that was enough for the equaliser. Pressure on our keeper was continuious and Cairnsy was kept working hard. The only good thing Euan Norris, the joke referee done good, was blow the whistle for full time. One relegation squad DUNN and one to go, Airdrie Is our next step foward and should be an exiting game. Early days but we really do deserve to say 'We are top of the league, say we are top of the league Queen's Park: Mark Cairns, Paul Paton, Mick Dunlop, Richard Sinclair, Damiano Agostini, Alan Trouten, Stuart Kettlwell, Paul Cairney, Tony Quinn (Robert Dunn) , Stevie Canning ( Stuart McGrady), Mark Ferry Subs Not used: Shaun Molloy, Martin Ure and Alex Cowie Bookings: Richard Sinclair, Steven Canning and Paul Paton Referee: Euan Norris Attendance: 815 |
| Anderson, McCullock |