Whelan Saves The Day As Both Teams Disappoint
now first choice
By The Spider
January 5 2003
Saturday, 4th January, 2003 Queen's Park 1 Albion Rovers 1 (Scottish Cup - Second Round)
The disappointing news before kick-off for Queen's fans was the news that Colin Stewart's loan deal with Kilmarnock has now expired, and if he is ever to be seen again in a Queen's jersey, then it won't be this season. Also missing from the Queen's squad was John Gemmell, which meant that Tony Mitchell and Allan Dunning were promoted to the starting line-up; there places on the bench being taken by the unfamiliar names of Chris Lamb and Stuart Kettlewell as Queen's struggled to find enough bodies to fill the jerseys.
However, Colin Stewart's departure now gives Tony Mitchell the opportunity to shine again again, and the former Scotland youth 'keeper would have been hoping for a good start in this Scottish Cup tie which, due to the postponement of most of the other ties, meant that this particular fixture now took on the role of Scotland's "match of the day". Apart from a posse of photographers who ensured that the Club would receive it's widest press coverage for years, the TV cameras were present too as was Radio Scotland's Alistair Alexander to provide the live radio coverage.
A healthy attendance of 1,117 also showed up, and yet there was less of an atmosphere than with crowds well below that figure. Also, for all that the undersoil heating had been switched on to permit the tie to go ahead in the first place, it looked as if the heating had been switched to it's lowest setting as players looked unsure of their footing throughout the proceedings.
With many of the crowd still settling into their seats, 'Rovers took the lead with virtually their first attack of the game and what an excellent move it was. Chris Silvestro ran from midfield out to the right touchline to receive a pass from Andy Paterson before taking on both Richard Sinclair and Danny Ferry. Beating the Spiders' duo for pace, Silvestro delivered a great near post cross from the corner flag which was met on the volley by Iain Diack whose outstretched leg just beat that of Damiano Agostini to divert the ball across a static Tony Mitchell and into the far corner of the net. Indeed, poor Tony Mitchell's first touch of the ball was to retrieve it from the back of the net.
What a start and all the omens were not in place for a pulsating cup tie. Sadly, it turned out to be nothing of the kind with Queen's only matching the kind of poor display served up by 'Rovers at Coatbridge three weeks previously, and repeated again in this game. For any neutrals attending, it was going to be difficult to explain that here was a side at the top of the league visiting another who were enjoying their best run of form in three years!
Queen's first half chance presented itself in the 14th minute by virtue of an inswinging right wing corner by Jimmy Allan. Willie Martin got the merest of flicks which saw the ball rebound from Shearer's chest but Stephen Moffat, who was about to have by far his worst game for Queen's, could only pod the ball wide of Shearer's left hand post with his right foot.
Johnny Whelan attempted a long range daisy cutter in the 18th minute, but it was a straightforward enough save for Shearer who collected the ball low to his left.
A Kevin McAllister left foot shot as he cut in from the right wing presented Tony Mitchell with his first save of the afternoon in the 23rd minute, but he allowed the ball to slip from his grasp and Damiano Agostini was to first to react to the loose ball which he quickly booted to the safety of the far side touchline.
Richard Sinclair also attempted to score for Queen's from long range, but his curling effort carried no threat and sailed safely into the hands of the waiting Shearer. In the 31st minute, Tony Mitchell was again called upon and this time he made an excellent one handed diving save to his right to divert a ferocious drive from Bradford who had been set up by a neat header from Diack.
Jimmy Allan was looking as much out of touch in this game as he had in the first half the previous week at Methil, but he suddenly became involved in the the 36th minute. Stephen Moffat found Willie Martin with an accurate pass and, having wrong footed two markers with a quick turn, Willie sent over an inviting cross which Jimmy took first time only to slice his shot well high and wide of its intended target. Jimmy did get a shot on target two minutes later, but it was so weak that it really came into the "pass-back" category
As Queen's tried to get back on level terms before the break, Jimmy Allan sent over a dangerous cross from the left wing in the 43rd minute. Allan Dunning's initial attempt was blocked but the ball rebounded to Willie Martin who then saw his effort stopped in the same fashion.
It had been a poor first half given the circumstances, and it really needed something to shake it back into life again. That the half time substitution of referees, with Andrew Aird replacing Andrew Hunter, should be one of the major talking points, really tells it's own story of little incident there was on the field to focus on. Kenny Dear was called from the stand to take over as the far side assistant.
The second half was grim to say the least. Queen's were given a great opportunity in the 56th minute when Danny Ferry's winning of the ball in midfield afforded Queen's a three on two break. However, the Queen's skipper impulsively put an early ball through to catch Martin and Dunning offside when, with more composure, he could have surged forward at pace with the ball himself and waited to see what opportunities then presented themselves rather than trying to force the issue himself.
However, Danny more than made up for this with Queen's next worthwhile attack in the 62nd minute. A deep diagonal ball from the right evaded the last defender and Johnny Whelan stooped to place a well directed header across the covering Shearer and into the far corner.
'Rovers had a good opportunity to regain the lead just three minutes later when former Spider Jim Mercer sliced his shot wide when in good position on the right hand side of Queen's penalty box.
David Menelaws finally made his long awaited debut in the 67th minute, replacing the totally ineffective Allan Dunning, and the wee man put over a good cross from the left bye-line in the 76th minute which was met on the volley by Willie Martin hose near post flick from the tightest of angles only just dipped over Shearer's crossbar.
'Rovers could have snatched a late winner with seven minutes remaining, but a wicked cross from the left managed to evade attackers and defenders alike as it sped dangerously across the Queen's six yard box.
So the sides have it all to do again on Tuesday evening, if Coatbridge thaws out in time, and surely the teams must be able to put on a better display than this turgid affair. Hopefully big John Gemmell will be available for this one as Queen's badly need his physical presence up front to compete with the powerful 'Rovers defenders.
Shortly after the final whistle, the draw for the third round was made, but a home tie against either Hamilton or East Fife will hardly have the treasure of either club exactly drooling at the mouth-watering prospect!
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE : 2/5 STAR SPIDER : Richard Sinclair (best of a bad bunch)
QUEEN’S PARK : Tony Mitchell, Richard Sinclair, Danny Ferry, Stephen Moffat, Damiano Agostini, Stevie Fallon, Willie Martin, Johnny Whelan, Allan Dunning (David Menelaws - 67), Ross Clarke, Jimmy Allan
Subs (not used) : Chris Lamb (GK), Craig Taggart, Gordon Lappin, Stuart Kettlewell
Scorer(s) : Whelan (62 mins)
Booked : none
ALBION ROVERS : Scott Shearer, Andy Paterson, Jered Stirling, Jordan Smith, John McCaig, Peter Cormack, Kevin McAllister (Jim Mercer - 61), Chris Silvestro, John Bradford, Iain Diack, Jim Dick (Charlie McLean - 73)
Subs (not used) : Chris Fahey (GK), Mark weir, Lee Duncan
Scorer(s) : Diack (2 mins)
Booked : none
REFEREE : Andrew Hunter (replaced at half time by Andrew Aird) both **** (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)