A long-range drive by John Adam a few minutes into the second half secured a narrow three points for a lacklustre Morton team at Hampden. Despite having promised during the latter stages of the first half, the goal proved a mortal blow for Queen's chances of taking anything from the game: put simply, the goal knocked the stuffing out of the team. Predictably, we were treated to some highly questionable refereeing decisions, not least the 79th minute sending off of Jamie White. White had been overly robust throughout the game, and had escaped a second yellow on a couple of previous occasions, but this particular tackle, though executed from behind, seemed perfectly fair. Mr. Hunter also missed a seeming slap in the face for Allan as he chased a long ball in the second half, and seemed overly eager to bring out his book for misdemeanours by home players. Still, although the dismissal of White eliminated any prospect of an equaliser, the Queen's players had hardly looked like getting one up until then anyway. We are seriously missing the trio of Moffat, Quinn and Martin right now for the various attributes they bring to the table and I'm afraid the likes of Sinclair, Gallagher and Ross Clark, however hard they try, just don't have the same effectiveness. As a consequence of today, we have not won a league game since 21st December, and our season is rapidly falling into a tailspin. The only reason we are hanging on in seventh place is the ineptitude of the teams below us.
7 Mar Queen's Park v. Morton - Brannigan versus McCormack
Given our previous performances this season against the men from the Tail o' the Bank, Queen's should feel generally optimistic about seeing off Morton tomorrow at Hampden, provided they take their chances a little better. But given the number of players potentially missing tomorrow, and the fact we haven't won at home since 21st December, then even Morton's own shaky form doesn't seem to increase Spiders' hopes by all that much. In addition to the already mentioned absence of Cairns ( and, needless to say, Scrimgour ), Agostini, Ferry, Whelan and Clark are all doubts due to various afflictions. Being without the midfield promptings of not only Whelan, but Clark too, would probably be fatal to Queen's chances of winning tomorrow's game, but I suspect that at least one of the pair will make it. Who would replace Ferry if he is judged unfit is very much open to question, especially if Damiano Agostini is also missing ( Sinclair would go to central defence in that case ). The goalkeeping position is obviously a concern: sad to say, Tony Mitchell being the main reason for this. But if he can get a save or two under his belt early on, or better still, take a cross cleanly, then his nerves will surely settle down. I can honestly say, I'd be so happy for him if he had a great game: and not for the team's sake, but for his sake, as the guy must have been suffering after the game at Douglas Park. Morton will know what to do to make him fail again, but he must stand tall and proud in that goal.
At least motivation shouldn't pose a difficulty for Kenny Brannigan. Many of the players will be extremely keen to prove themselves against their former manager, especially if, as KB hinted in this week's Extra, there is the chance of one or two moving to Cappielow come the summer. Getting his first win in charge against the man that he replaced as manager would also go a long way in him replacing that man in the affections of the Queen's Park supporters.
Queen's first match against Morton came in the club's first season in the Scottish League. Our staunch amateur stance had seen us shun the new set-up for the first decade of its existence, and the negative effect that had was all too obvious as we struggled badly in the opening years of our league competition. In fact, due to the club having a few friends in boardrooms up and down the land, they were able to avoid being relegated by being constantly re-elected. That first game with Morton ended in success though: November 3rd 1900 was the date, 2nd Hampden the venue ( on the site of Cathkin Park ), and the score was 3-0 in Queen's favour. The legendary R.S. McColl actually missed this game, but still finished the season joint top scorer.
5 Mar Tony likely to return from dead
It appears that Tony Mitchell is set to start on Saturday, against the club now managed by the man that signed him - John McCormack's Morton. Cairns and Scrimgour, barely in the door, are exiting it, temporarily, to go on holiday ( not together, I imagine ). This is inconvenient, but simply one of the pitfalls of being a part-time club - not necessarily an amateur one - as many people don't get too many opportunities to get a break from their jobs in a year, and part-time footballers are just ordinary working men. Fate now seems to have twisted back in Tony Mitchell's direction - the guy seemed unlikely to get a chance in the first team again, and yet he will now play against the biggest club in the league through nothing other than luck. It would thoroughly delight every single Queen's Park follower if Tony was to perform well on Saturday, after some frankly inept performances cost him his place. However this is a far from ideal scenario, and another obstacle on the Kenny Brannigan management course - so far, it's been worse than anything the Krypton Factor could conjure up.
4 Mar Reserve League West - Queen's Park 0 Stenhousemuir 1
A late penalty kick from Scott Murphy won this reserve fixture for Stenhousemuir, and as a consequence the Strollers have still won just one league match this season. Kenny Brannigan took a further chance to assess his squad by playing amongst them, at the back in the first half, while Willie Martin made his comeback after surgery and will surely be in contention for Saturday's home game with Morton.
Speaking of Morton, the Cappielow club now lie fourth in the table after wins this evening for all three clubs who now sit above them in the league: East Fife came from behind to beat Gretna 2-1, Albion Rovers easily won 3-0 versus Montrose, and Peterhead won their fourth match in a row by crushing Stirling Albion 6-0, surely removing Stirling from contention in the process. Morton are currently three points off the pace, and having been outplayed for large spells of the previous games against Queen's this season, and in a poor run of form ( 3 goals in 6 games, and one win, against the might of East Stirling ), they may approach a trip to Hampden with some trepidation. If Queen's Park are as properly motivated as they have been before against the Greenock team, I am sure it will be an extremely close game - with Queen's hopefully having more fortune on their side this time.
1 Mar Queen's Park 1 East Fife 2 - loss of form continues
East Fife maintained their strong position in the Third Division by defeating a disappointing Queen's Park, who had decent spells at the beginning of both halves but gradually let slip any form of hold they had on the game. Only after David McCallum's goal did Queen's show any sign of spirit in the side, having collapsed following East Fife's second, headed in by Graham on the hour. The customary Hampden Surge in the final ten or fifteen minutes failed to provide what would in honesty have been an ill-deserved equaliser for the Spiders, as too many players failed to perform. Kenny Brannigan has still to convince anyone that he is the right choice for coach, but the consolation is that he now has 11 matches left to tinker with the team and decide what players he wishes to keep, and what ones he will allow to leave. One player who may be in the latter camp is Allan Dunning, who has yet to feature under Brannigan's charge. Apparently, the new coach is unimpressed with Dunning's attitude. It will be a crying shame if this talented player drifts completely out of the picture and then away from Hampden altogether.