| Queen's Park 5 Elgin City 2 ( Reilly 3 pens, Whelan 2 ) ( McCormick, Bone ) |
| Has the Hampden hoodoo finally been put to rest? Queen's achieved the sort of result this afternoon that made you hope, just hope a little, but maybe start believing it too, that the corner is about to be turned after two desperate seasons. It would be foolish to get carried away, and Queen's were set on their way after two minutes by a stupidly conceded penalty kick. But while that may have increased the belief in the team, there was clearly a lot there in the first place, and the players were unhindered in their efforts to dispose of their mediocre opponents. Helped by uncertain defending, Steven Reilly scored three times from the spot, Johnny Whelan hit a double, and Queen's had five goals in a game for the first time since the 5-3 win over Brechin nearly four years ago. Frankie Carroll, who scored two of the goals that day as well as the late equaliser last week, watched today's game from the stand, presumably unfit. The welcome news was Steven Fallon's return, and he slotted into his usual sweeper's role. For the visitors all three former Spiders were in the starting eleven; for all three personally it would be a rotten return. A slightly disappointing crowd of 556 turned up, containing in its number too many Rangers shirts ( one is too many ), but these were swamped by the number of Queen's fans sporting the colours on a bright afternoon. Sadly the new strips were not yet in the shop so we had to make do with last season's or, in my case, the Toffs shirt which I fear I will never grow into. Barely had I scribbled down the team lists when Queen's were awarded a penalty, inside two minutes. None too surprisingly it was the feckless John Gallagher who committed the foul, hauling down Steven Reilly on the far edge of the area after giving away the ball. Reilly elected to take the kick himself, and calmly placed the ball to Pirie's right. While Elgin may have brought in a host of new players, they still appear a very ordinary team and Queen's looked well capable of capitalising on their weaknesses. Ross Clark's typical burst of energy earned a free-kick as he was sent crashing after laying the ball to Graham; Menelaws was next to fall under the challenge of the unsubtle White, and Graham, as we have come to expect, curled the ball over the wall before it was caught by Pirie. However, the referee had spotted encroachment by Willie Martin who was booked. Reilly had a go from the re-take but his effort was blocked barely before it left the ground. Queen's start was fresh and encouraging, but as time wore on Elgin edged their way back into the match. The first hint of defensive lapses from Queen's occurred when Bone was given far too much space in which to turn before volleying at goal, but his shot lacked power and Scrimgour made light work of it. To the other end, and Clark's enthusiasm shone through, his role seeming more that of striker at times than midfielder. He skewed Whelan's overly firm cross wide before attempting to follow up David Menelaws's vain effort to catch a flick over the top from Graham before Pirie could race out to collect. The first half had not been especially entertaining and Queen's would soon surrender the initiative. Bone should have achieved more when left in space, only to miskick over the bar, but with ten minutes left until half-time, Elgin were level. Scrimgour was sluggish in gathering a ball at the edge of the six yard-box, and McCormick stuck out a foot to slip the ball past him for it to squeeze in at the far post. We could only shake our heads at slackness allowing Elgin back into the game, but make no mistake Queen's are a better team than the Borough Briggs men and the players soon verified that fact. Jim White picked up an inevitable booking for tripping Clark in the centre-circle, and once Clark got back to his feet, he broke to the edge of the box, laid the ball to his left, and Johnny Whelan bent the ball delightfully round Pirie and in at the post. Moments before I had spoken of Whelan's position being under threat if he didn't show a more constructive side to his play. Well, I'm an idiot. Such a quick response from Queen's was another sign of the character Kenny Brannigan's new look team seems to have in abundance; players like Whelan and Clark never shirk a thing during a game, and several others are close behind them. A third at this stage could have put Queen's out of Elgin's sight, but David Menelaws hurried his shot after another defensive mix-up and it went embarassingly wide with Pirie in no-man's land. Before half-time Ferry was booked for dissent prior to an Elgin corner. The second half began in identical fashion to the first, with Queen's being awarded a penalty just two minutes in. Again, it was unnecessary from an Elgin perspective; Fallon's lobbed delivery for Menelaws was a fine piece of play, but Jim White had no need to bundle into the Queen's forward. He did though, and was fortunate to avoid receiving a second yellow card. He may have been helped in this by going down, certainly because of a knock, but perhaps also to win the sympathy of Mr. Fyfe. Reilly was in unsentimental mood though, again coolly slotting the penalty home with an admirable nonchalance. And at 3-1 we could look forward to a good second-half. Elgin could only manage a brief riposte, Bone again passing up a chance and White having a header deflected over after Scrimgour misjudged a cross. After these Queen's settled down to a slick passing game, displaying a real enjoyment of the game and undoubted belief in their own abilities - something which at last appears to have been found. A dispirited Elgin team were also starting to leave gaps which Queen's could exploit. Danny Ferry advanced beautifully down the left before his cross was slid over by Dunning, and Reilly smacked wide after receiving Whelan's long pass. Ross Clark then found acres of room in which to press for goal from Agostini's ball, but he couldn't bring it under control. It was an outstanding performance from the young midfielder and he played his part in Queen's fourth goal, driving forward to pick up a loose ball on the right edge of the area before being sent flying by Gallagher. Again, the referee awarded a penalty and this time there was to be no compassion shown to the culprit, as John walked off the park disgusted with himself. There was never any doubt about the identity of the taker, and Reilly once more converted from 12 yards, although this time Pirie got a little closer to it. For the midfielder, a brilliant, if unexpected, way to mark his home debut. Queen's were now on cruise control and it was an experience to be savoured, so rarely do such things come about. Three changes were made, with the introduction of Moffat, Kettlewell and young striker Derek Carcary meaning that there was little chance of Queen's easing up. Carcary is not registered as a full signing so his identity was disguised as 'Trialist', but if he can keep up the impressive play he showed today, his real name will soon be well-known around Hampden and beyond. He could have scored twice, heading down for Pirie to save just after coming on, then slipping the ball inches wide of goal. But the best was still to come. Several half-chances were created, but for the final goal Queen's summoned all their passing powers and in doing so belittled the style of play the likes of Elgin tend to adopt. Ten passes from front to back, then forward again, the final slide-rule pass from Fallon was inch-perfect, and Whelan drove through to shoot emphatically past Pirie for the crowning fifth goal. Well worthy of being played on a constant loop in the Social Club after the game! Elgin, to their credit, managed a final push and achieved a consolation second goal. Good build-up play which involved Willie Martin resulted in Bone sweeping the ball home at the back post. Despite this slight blemish, Queen's will be ecstatic with this win and their four-goal lead could have been restored had Whelan's 89th minute free-kick dipped a little lower than the crossbar. This could be but a false dawn, but with confidence flowing through the entire team at the moment, a balance having been found, and a lot of talent at his disposal, Kenny Brannigan's seemingly genuine optimism is not misplaced. Queen's Park: Scrimgour, Dunning ( Kettlewell ), Ferry, Sinclair, Agostini ( Moffat ), Fallon, Clark, Reilly, Graham, Whelan, Menelaws ( Carcary ). Substitutes not used: Gallagher, McCue. Booked: Ferry. Goals: Reilly penalties 2, 48, 64, Whelan 39, 84. Elgin City: Pirie, Hind, Gallagher, White ( N. McLean ), Coulter, Allison, Martin, McCormick ( McMullan ), Bone, Steele ( Ogboke ), Murphy. Substitutes not used: Mackay, Hamilton. Booked: Martin, White, Gallagher. Sent-off: Gallagher. Goals: McCormick 35, Bone 88. Attendance: 556. |