Could this game be the last of Martin's spell in charge? It seems a distinct possibility, though we have been speculating this for weeks now and it hasn't happened yet. He could hardly conclude with a bigger match though: against his former employers, and with a place in the third round at stake. As far as the team selection goes though, typically a Queen's Park coach doesn't have to look too far for problems. Colin Stewart's loan spell has ended as far as I am aware, and it seems unlikely that he will be playing in this match. Tony Mitchell will return in goal. Richard Sinclair was taken off injured in last week's draw at Bayview, and may not be fit enough for Saturday. Tony Quinn and Steven Canning were of course injured at Cliftonhill three weeks ago, and their boots have been filled by Ross Clark and Danny Ferry. The skipper has failed to impress in his new role though; a return to his old right sided position would be most welcome, and may come about if Sinclair can't make it. David Menelaws has now recovered from injury, and may make his debut at some stage.
Albion Rovers have improved manifestly as a team over the last two seasons, and are now definite contenders for promotion. Goalkeeper Scott Shearer is one of the reasons for their success, and a move to England looks inevitable for the 21 year-old, who was undoubtedly Albion's best player against Queen's Park in that 2-0 defeat. He will not be going anywhere though, until after Saturday's match, more's the pity.
Rovers have often been criticised for being an undisciplined team, and the foul on Tony Quinn that resulted in his injury three weeks ago added fuel to those claims. However, they have cut down this season on the number of cards collected, which last season could have papered their dressing room wall. They deserve to be recognised more as a decent football team, and their results show that.
Perhaps surprisingly, Queen's have only been drawn against Albion Rovers on three prior occasions in the Scottish Cup, with the first of these not coming until 1965. They made up for it by playing their second round tie three times. The first was at Hampden on 23rd January, where 3,038 witnessed a dull goalless draw. The teams couldn't be seperated eleven days later in Coatbridge either, but Queen's finally scraped through at neutral Firhill with a goal from Peter Buchanan.
Most recently in 1986, Queen's won 2-1, with Kenny Brannigan and George Crooks on the scoresheet. This was another second round game, as was a 1972 tie won by home team Rovers.
1965 R2 Queen's Park 0 Albion Rovers 0 3,038
Replay Albion Rovers 1 Queen's Park 1 ( Buchanan ) 824
2nd Replay Queen's Park 1 ( Buchanan ) Albion Rovers 0 1,084
( At Firhill )
1972 R2 Albion Rovers 3 Queen's Park 2 ( Denholm 2 ) 1,042
1986 R2 Queen's Park 2 ( Brannigan, Crooks ) Albion Rovers 1
808
Recent form at Hampden certainly favours Albion Rovers, who have won their last three games there. But this is a Queen's Park in much better shape than they were last season, or earlier in this campaign. The defence is extremely compact and the players there have forged a strong unit, the midfield grafts well and Whelan in particular supports the attack, which still misses decent opportunities but Martin, Allan and Gemmell have all scored recently. Queen's can be confident of success, but I fear a hard luck story with Rovers coming away with the win. It was the case in the unfortunate loss to East Fife at this stage last year, and I predict it will be again - 2-1 to Albion Rovers.