| Berwick Rangers |
| Queen's Park |
| 1 |
| 2 |
| (Cowan) |
| (Weatherston, Clark) |
| Queen's season roared back to life on a cold, dreich Tuesday night at Shielfield, with a success over old nemesis Berwick, a side that had beaten us at Hampden just 10 days previously. On that occasion, Queen's were sluggish and desperately short of belief; last night, with our back three restored to the team en masse, things were radically different. A tougher Queen's team competed throughout, and finally rediscovered their scoring touch with two close-range finishes in the second half. In many respects, it was an unlikely victory; but Queen's have a long-running habit of making the unlikely likely, and vice-versa. Reilly, Sinclair and Dunlop were gladly welcomed back into the team by Billy Stark, and this made an obvious difference from the start. Berwick had not impressed in Glasgow during last week's meeting of the teams, but had received little challenge from Queen's. How different things were last night! A rejuvenated Queen's, with only Weatherston up front, managed a number of reasonable attacks during the first half but penetration was once again their weakness. In the 6th minute, a low corner from Harvey found Trouten hovering on the edge of the area but his shot was mishit wide of the post. Six minutes later, the Queen's defence looked uncomfortable facing up to Berwick's most dangerous player, McGroarty, who ghosted through the middle before sidefooting a pass to McLeish on his right. His drive, struck off the outside of his right foot, was well held by Crawford. After 22 minutes, a patient move from Queen's ended when Weatherston flicked on Trouten's cross with his head, unable to direct it towards goal. Weatherston would take a little while to fully flourish in the game, perhaps not surprising given the tough treatment he faced from Berwick's defenders. After half-an-hour, Horn was booked for slicing Queen's lone frontman down as he rode away down the left. In the 31st minute, a free-kick from Harvey looped into the area and was met by Ferry, but his header landed disappointingly onto the roof of the net, and Queen's remained impotent going forward. The passing had hardly been sparkling from either team thus far, but one backpass from a Berwick defender after 38 minutes was truly awful, and Weatherston should have done more with the gift. Instead he lost possession quickly back to Berwick before he could reach their box. Then another opportunity fell to Ferry from a Harvey delivery, but despite a good touch his volley flew over the top. Thus half-time arrived with Queen's now having gone over 400 minutes without a goal. We'd only have to wait one more minute though. The second half had just kicked off when Queen's won a free-kick 30 yards out in a central position. Harvey stepped up to take, and his cross was met by Kettlewell. The ball was knocked on by Mark Ferry for David Weatherston lurking on the edge of the 6-yard box, and he picked up the pass before flicking the ball beyond O'Connor into the far corner of the net. At last; Queen's first goal from open play since Kevin Proctor's against East Stirling back on 21st January. The lead wasn't to last long. Berwick immediately surged into attack, and won a corner when Paul Paton was forced to clear his lines. Another corner was gained from that, and this time when the ball was sent over Mark Cowan was there to bullet the ball into the corner of the net. Not quite the equal of some of the disasters Queen's have suffered at corners, but the marking could have been better. The first-half had been pretty sombre but the second was all-action for the first 10 minutes. Crawford was made to tip over a stinging Haynes drive with both hands, and then Queen's came close to regaining the lead. Weatherston's confidence had been sent soaring by the goal, and his pace and determination saw him burst past the Berwick left-back before squaring the ball across to the onrushing Paul Paton, but his shot spun off a Berwick heel for a corner. A similar break later in the game would have much better results. Referee Euan Norris was getting more erratic as the game went on, and his decision to book Trouten in the 53rd minute seemed harsh; though not his first foul, Trouten had done little wrong. For the remainder of the game, he would thrust his yellow card at too many players, but to be fair to him Berwick's increasingly robust approach left him little choice on some of those occasions. Their tackles grew increasingly sneaky and cynical, and just after the hour Swanson was booked for upending Kettlewell as the midfielder gathered on the Queen's right. Haynes would join him in the book 2 minutes later, followed by Paul Paton in what was another harsh decision (and a clear case of balancing the books). In the 65th minute, a free-kick into the Queen's box caused some panic, and although Reilly got a head to it with Cowan again poised, a shot came lashing in which flew high but could have gone anywhere. Another bad decision by Norris cost Dunlop a booking six minutes later, the referee penalising the Queen's man though the ball had clearly struck his arm accidentally. Yet a Berwick player had earlier escaped a booking for an obviously deliberate handball in the midfield! Berwick's dubious tactics continued; McGroarty hauled Queen's substitute Ross Clark (who had replaced Quinn) back as he stole the ball on the right, and was booked. Following the free-kick, a rare chance fell to Paul Harvey but his surprisingly well-struck volley came off a Queen's player and fell wide. Berwick should subsequently have scored in the 75th minute, but Hutchison headed past with Crawford flatfooted. David Weatherston's tireless play almost brought reward with 10 minutes to go. He chased the ball into the area down the left, gained on the keeper and slid the ball across for Ross Clark who had burst into the box. However, Clark was strongly challenged as he went for it and the best Queen's could get was a corner. But neither player would be denied for long, and their eagerness brought Queen's the winning goal with 7 minutes to play. Weatherston's unbelievable doggedness won him another loose ball on the flank, and he raged forward into the box, from the right this time. He could have shot from the edge of the 6-yard box -the keeper would have found it very difficult to hold a fierce effort despite the angle- but unselfishly squared across to Ross Clark, who hammered the ball gleefully into the roof of the net. Yep, we enjoyed that one just a wee bit. Of course, Berwick came forward again, but didn't give Queen's that much bother for the remainder of the game. It took until well into injury time (of which there was 4 minutes) for a half-chance, with a long free-kick finding a Berwick head at the back post, only for that head to send the ball harmlessly past. The final whistle was met with joy by the players, several of whom turned towards the support as each group acclaimed the efforts of the other. Dunlop and Reilly were particularly appreciative! It was a tremendous night for Queen's, who would likely have accepted a draw readily enough. Yet that would have allowed Arbroath to gain on us with their win at Albion Rovers. As things stand, they remain 4 points behind us, and must go to Stenhousemuir on Saturday while Queen's have the easier task of Elgin at home. But whoever we have to play - and there are blips to come no doubt - Queen's are back on course for the play-offs. Of course, seeing Berwick fans with long faces is always a bonus too. There will have been plenty of swearing from them last night, but I don't imagine they had much to sing about this time around. Berwick Rangers: Gary O'Connor, David Murie, Chris McGroarty, Robbie Horn, Mark Cowan, Gordon Connelly, Kevin McLeish, Gavin Swanson (Sean Paliczka 67), Gareth Hutchison, Kevin Haynes (Mark Ramsay 81) , Ian Little. Substitutes not used: Mark McGarty, Gary Greenhill, Connon. Booked: Horn, Swanson, Haynes. McGroarty. Goal: Cowan 48. Queen's Park: David Crawford, Paul Paton, Mick Dunlop, Steven Reilly, Richard Sinclair, Alan Trouten, Stuart Kettlewell, Tony Quinn (Ross Clark 67), David Weatherston (Bryan Felvus 85), Paul Harvey, Mark Ferry. Substitutes not used: Jonny Whelan, Tommy Murray, Mark Cairns. Booked: Trouten, Paton, Dunlop. Goals: Weatherston 46, Clark 83. Referee: Euan Norris. Attendance: 249. |