queens_berwick_20_08

Queen's Park

Berwick Rangers

( Kettlewell )

( McLeish, Hutchison, Little )

Just how far Queen's have got to go before becoming a serious force may have been underlined at Hampden yesterday as they were all-too-easily brushed aside by an inspired Berwick. As has been current in recent weeks, there was talk amongst fans after the game of the possibility of Queen's moving away from Hampden ( the main stadium at least ) to play their home games and how this could improve our home record, and while Berwick and their fans certainly seemed buoyed by their surroundings, there were more glaring reasons on the pitch for why we lost. Outmuscled for most of the game, Queen's compounded their lack of physical presence by being far too wary of Berwick's attack; instead of getting in amongst them, there was a tendency to stand off. Kevin McLeish, for one, took full advantage, setting up one of the two goals he didn't score and almost grabbing another, and as a consequence of their hesitation several Queen's players had their worst games for quite some time. Berwick are going to be up there, no doubt; but the Queen's team started the game as if nursing hangovers and the failure to compete from the off proved fatal.
    With Bryan Felvus back to fitness Jonny Whelan was dropped to the bench for the game against his old club; Felvus's reinstatement sent out positive signals, Whelan looking a handful but little more as a makeshift striker. Richard Bowers returned to the bench after injury, and the rest of the team remained the same as the one that saw off Cowdenbeath so convincingly. Sadly, it became clear very quickly that this match would be different. Berwick opened the scoring in only the third minute, McLeish bundling his way through the middle of Queen's defence, seeing off powder-puff tackles and poking the ball beyond Crawford's diving body into the corner of the goal. Yet again, it was as if we'd forgotten the game had actually kicked off. Amazingly, four minutes later McLeish again found himself with plenty of room in the box but his shot was so appalling it failed to leave the pitch and was collected on the far side by a defender. Queen's first effort came shortly after when Weatherston ended a good move with a tame shot; David is a hard worker and has a talent for holding the ball up with his back to goal, but a simple lack of strength in his kicking of the ball still lets him down.
    Berwick were being allowed to dwell on the ball too long by an overawed Queen's and Haynes was next to burst through, driving a shot just past Crawford's right hand post at the Mount Florida end. Then Ferry shot wildly high from 25 yards. Queen's best opportunity to date came in 17 minutes when Felvus eked out enough room inside the six yard box to have a go, but he couldn't enough weight behind the ball and stabbed it straight at Coyle.
     Superior throughout, Berwick extended their lead ten minutes later. Again, Queen's were both outmuscled and outwitted for the goal. Ross Clark, distinctly uncomfortable against Haynes's pace, was comprehensively beaten by the forward down the Queen's right, and when he slipped the ball inside to Hutchison, the experienced striker made no mistake in dispatching the ball home at Crawford's near post. To this observer, and at least one other, Billy Stark's hitherto preferred system of four strung across the back was looking flawed against a team basically using three attackers and it may have suited Queen's better to switch to three at the back to counter them. It wasn't to be however.
    Queen's were now almost goggle-eyed, and their sleepy performance was symbolised by the sight of Steven Reilly hooking a clearance over his own head and back into his own penalty area. Eventually landing at the feet of an unmarked forward, David Crawford managed to claw away the lobbed shot that resulted. Then, more humiliation for Ross Clark, as Haynes beat him all ends up before, trying to emulate the second goal, he passed infield for a low shot which Crawford held. His confidence obviously soaring, Haynes then attempted a 40 yard lob but the ball cleared the bar by several inches.
    A nicely-struck volley from Paul Harvey flashed just past in the 38th minute, and in the final moments of the half Queen's had their best chance. Ferry's through ball was gathered by Felvus down the left of the box, but as he couldn't quite shake off a chasing defender, Bryan was forced to pass back to Ferry who blasted wide. A touch more strength and decisiveness and Felvus may have been able to put the ball away.
    In fact Billy Stark elected to take Felvus off at half-time, replacing him with Bowers; Felvus hardly shone during the first half but one could speculate that Billy Stark has never taken much of a shine to him. Still, Bowers's skills would come in handy if only we could service him properly. Such service would prove elusive. Queen's continued to struggle during the second half, and Crawford had to make a save three minutes in, tipping McLeish's attempt round the post after the forward had led a Berwick breakaway.
    Queen's brought on Stuart Kettlewell for John Weir in the 57th minute and moved Ross Clark over to the left of the pitch. Ross's day would be greatly improved in the second half, so much so that he scooped the Player of the Day award, showing more attacking vigour than for some time. After one brilliant run, he was crudely chopped down by Murie and the former Morton player was fortunate just to receive a booking.
    Always on top, Berwick made the game safe in the 69th minute. Despite the lack of possession and moves, the fans' hopes of another 'Hampden Surge' from Queen's seemed just about realistic, but when Little squeezed the ball beyond Crawford's grasp ( McLeish once more being the architect ) defeat was certain. To be fair, after this Queen's played a lot of pretty football, and their consolation goal in the 74th minute was a joy to see. David Weatherston teased a Berwick defender on the left edge of their penalty area, passing infield to the oncoming Richard Bowers. In turn, Bowers fed Mark Ferry, who spotted Stuart Kettlewell making an angled run to his right. Kettlewell took the pass and unleashed his rising shot towards the roof of the net. Hard to believe that the man who had scored just two goals for Queen's before this season is now our top scorer this term!
    With time left to make some impression on the match, Queen's at long last had some control over the game but frankly it was now too late. Another goal could have spread panic in the Berwick ranks but we never came all that near to getting one: there was too much doubt, hesitation amongst the team, and a tendency to go backwards as a safety measure hamstrung the attacks. So this was our worst performance of the season so far, but judging by other teams' early results, we will be heavily embroiled in the scrap for the play-offs this season. Hearts on Tuesday will provide a pleasant diversion but Albion Rovers next Saturday simply must be beaten.

Queen's Park: David Crawford, Ross Clark, Shaun Molloy ( Andy McGinty 75 ), Steven Reilly, Richard Sinclair, Paul Harvey, John Weir ( Stuart Kettlewell 57 ), Tony Quinn, Bryan Felvus ( Richard Bowers 46 ), David Weatherston, Mark Ferry. Substitutes not used: Jonny Whelan, Alexander Cowie.

Booked: Quinn.
Goal: Kettlewell 74.

Berwick Rangers: Craig Coyle, David Murie ( Darren Swanson 75 ), Chris McGroarty, Grant McNicoll, Mark Cowan, Mark McGarty, Robbie Arthur, Kevin McLeish, Kevin Haynes ( Kevin Gordon 62 ), Gareth Hutchison, Ian Little ( Bruno di Silva 87 ). Substitutes not used: Robbie Horn, Gary O'Connor.

Booked: Arthur, Murie, Hutchison, McGroarty.
Goals: Kevin McLeish 3, Gareth Hutchison 27, Ian Little 69.

Referee: Stevie O'Reilly.
Attendance: 431.