| Montrose 1 Queen's Park 0 ( K. Webster ) |
| You could have been forgiven for thinking it was still last season at Links Park on Saturday. A Queen's team showed a complete lack of creativity and inspiration in surrendering tamely to a none too impressive Montrose outfit, in a performance eerily reminiscent of last season's travails. Despite a number of personnel changes this season, especially in defence ( an area that some might say needed changing the least ), Queen's still have a real problem in finding the back of the net. At least in the opening day game against Elgin, chances were created; on a sunny day in Angus, we couldn't even console ourselves with that knowledge. The Spiders failed to create a chance of note during the entire ninety minutes. Following the win over Gretna in midweek, John McCormack stuck largely with the team that won that match. Danny Ferry was back in, replacing Gordon Lappin in the right back area. Steven Canning again partnered John Gemmell up front, with Johnny Whelan making his first league appearance of the season, alongside Tony Quinn in the middle of the park. Chris Fisher was not even on the bench this week, and clearly, there is something not quite right about his situation, as the 19 year old definitely has the ability in my view. Montrose are favoured to enjoy a good season, and the pressure was on them after a disappointing draw at East Stirling on the first day. But Queen's Park made most of the early running. A Danny Ferry cross found John Gemmell's head after 5 minutes, and the big man knocked the ball down for Canning to have his shot tipped away by McGlynn ( who took some abuse from a section of the visiting support, for reasons best known to themselves ). The Spiders also forced a number of corners in the opening twenty minutes or so, but were unable to carve out any real openings. John Gemmell's shoot on sight policy made work one day, but it didn't when he shot high after 17 minutes play. Damiano Agostini got away with a booking after a less than subtle push on the dangerous McDonald, the former Bankies and Falkirk forward. Sadly, the defence failed to heed the warnings of the danger posed by him when he set up the only goal of the game after 23 minutes. McDonald held onto the ball well in order to find Chris Webster, whose cross was met by the head of Kevin Webster who really couldn't miss and gave Mitchell no chance. A poor goal to lose, caused by a failure to be truly decisive in the tackle and poor organisation; McDonald faced the attentions of more than one QP defender but was allowed to keep the ball, and Webster had a free header as the defence was completely caught out. Following the goal, Queen's seemed to lose their way. There was a sense of inevitability about the situation; Queen's doing OK, then giving up an avoidable goal, and not knowing how to get back on terms. The midfield struggled throughout to impose themselves, with Johnny Whelan looking off-colour, and a further blow came when Tony Quinn had to be replaced just prior to half-time because of injury. His replacement was Karl Lejman. Colin McDonald had the chance to all but seal the game after being given far too much space but the impressive Mitchell was equal to this, and everything that Montrose would throw at him for the rest of the game. The same player had two further efforts before the half-time whistle, but neither managed to hit the target. The second half saw little improvement in Queen's display. Again, Montrose looked the more likely to score, with the defence making errors, and Colin McDonald being given too much room, although we must credit Montrose's star man on the day with good positional sense and anticipation, if not finishing. He should have scored five minutes into the second half when Ferry was able to make a crucial tackle, in part due to over-elaboration from the Montrose forward. He then set up a chance a few minutes later, but thankfully for Queen's, and Damiano Agostini who had been well beaten by McDonald, his cross eluded the Montrose contingent within the penalty area. At the other end , little headway was being made. Paddy Gallagher had replaced Stuart Jack a few minutes after the resumption, but despite some neat touches, showed a lack of penetration. Willie Martin replaced the disappointing Allan after 64 minutes, but the majority of fans feel that the forward's pace and strong running should be given greater opportunities to flourish by the manager. There were a couple of controversial incidents in the final fifteen minutes to liven up an otherwise dull second half, and at the same time leave the travelling spectators with reason to shake their heads ( and more than that, in a number of cases! ) Referee Martindale ( who, I have it on good authority, has been known to sympathise with Queen's in the past ) failed to red card former St. Johnstone defender McQuillan after he kicked out at Canning after the ball had gone out of play. Personally, I feel a dismissal would have been harsh, but Canning and John Gemmell certainly didn't think so. Then, with the game drifting away from Queen's, John Gallagher received a booking after objecting to an opponent's efforts to waste time. The final whistle blew with Queen's players and fans clearly unhappy with the calibre of refereeing during what was a stale game of football. But, unlike on many occasions last season, the club have no reason to blame refereeing errors for their failure to collect any points. It was simply a poor performance. Changes are needed in my view; the long ball for Gemmell to knock down ploy failed, not so much because of its predictability, but more due to a lack of a striker to play off the target man. Steven Canning's talents are surely better utilised in a more withdrawn role, and he could certainly fill a creative gap behind the front men, with Martin or Jackson being used up front, at least until Menelaws is available. Out wide, neither Allan or Jack showed much in the way of beating their man and making chances, and the absence of Chris Fisher is a crying shame. A win soon in the league is vital, or else the confidence will drop, just like last season. There is however no reason to be despondent. This game was a step back, but steps forward will surely be made; the potential is there. Montrose: McGlynn, McCheyne, Robertson, Gibson, Conway, McQuillan, K. Webster ( Brand ), Johnson, McDonald ( Mitchell ), C. Webster ( Leask ), McKinnon. Goal: K. Webster 23. Queen's Park: Mitchell, Ferry, J. Gallagher, Moffat, Agostini, Quinn ( Lejman ), Jack ( P. Gallagher ), Whelan, Gemmell, Canning, Allan ( Martin ). Attendance: 402. |