| Queen's Park |
| Montrose |
| 5 |
| 0 |
| (Canning pen, Ferry, Donachie og, Trouten, Quinn) |
| Queen's roared back into play-off contention with a thumping win over an awful Montrose side at Hampden. On a day when other key games were postponed, Queen's took full advantage to move back up to 5th place, breaking a 20-year record in the process. Not since Berwick were taken apart 5-0 in 1986 have Queen's won by this many at Hampden, but it would be true to say that we've played better in that period and not scored nearly as many. Montrose were so aimless that Queen's were able to score at will in the second half, with even substitute Tony Quinn managing to find the net. Still, it was a commanding display from the Hoops, who had Alan Trouten back to near his best. He took the game to Montrose from the right wing, and with David Weatherston doing similar damage on the left, Montrose's fate was assured. In fairness Montrose began the game fairly purposefully, at least compared to what would follow. But even then some of their passing was hopelessly wayward, and Queen's capitalised, shrugging off a near-own goal by Richard Sinclair and pushing on. After 15 minutes Stuart Kettlewell's smart burst into the box was rewarded with a penalty-kick when goalkeeper Reid met him in the challenge. It was a debatable decision by referee Boyle, and Queen's would not pass up the chance, even without Steven Reilly. Steven Canning coolly slotted the ball home for his second penalty strike of the season (not counting his opener in the Aberdeen shootout). Former Aberdeen striker Scott Michie (misnumbered as 9 on the teamsheet; that was actually Rodgers) continued to look a threat for a few minutes with his dribbling but soon grew frustrated with his team-mates' attitude. Queen's took over 20 minutes to add a second, but it had been on the agenda all that time. It was no surprise that Mark Ferry, who'd had several efforts blocked from good positions, again found space to shoot, and this time he got the break as his 25-yard volley was deflected over Reid. Doubts had certainly been present about whether or not Queen's could win this game, especially after it transpired that Davie Robertson had walked out of Links Park. By now these had well and truly gone, and the support enjoyed an unexpectedly easy win in the second half. The third arrived in the 63rd minute when Donachie diverted Trouten's right-wing cross into his own net. Montrose were now in total disarray and Alan Trouten rattled home a 4th within 3 minutes, following an appalling passback. Frankie Carroll and Tony Quinn were introduced with 20 minutes remaining, and while we might have hoped that Frankie would grab his first of the season, it was no less pleasing to see Tony Quinn score. He'd only been on the park for 6 minutes before meeting Weatherston's delicate chip from the right, nodding the ball easily into the net. Frankie himself would only achieve one effort on goal, a shot on the turn which trundled past, but Robert Dunn came closer, almost scoring his first of the club in the dying minutes. However, his drive from the edge of the box soared just over the bar. A highly satisfying win for Queen's, who surprised us all by scoring five when we've hardly been able to get one in recent games. There will be far tougher outings to follow, starting next week at Stenhousemuir, but a Wattenscheid-fuelled support can surely fire Queen's to another vital victory. Queen's Park: David Crawford, Paul Paton (Tony Quinn 70), Mick Dunlop, Steven Canning, Richard Sinclair, Alan Trouten, Stuart Kettlewell, Paul Cairney, Paul Ronald (Frankie Carroll 70), David Weatherston (Robert Dunn 84), Mark Ferry. Substitutes not used: Richard Bowers, Alexander Cowie. Goals: Canning penalty 15, Ferry 38, Donachie og 63, Trouten 66, Quinn 76. Montrose: Andy Reid, Barry Donachie, Stuart Cumming (Jered Stirling 60), Hugh Davidson, Chris McLeod, Craig Higgins, Greig Henslee (Paul Napier 69), Keith Gibson, Andy Rodgers, Scott Michie, Stephen Black (Philip Reid 74). Substitutes not used: Neil Stephen, Stuart MacKenzie. Booked: Michie, Donachie. Referee: Chris Boyle. Attendance: 414. |