Hardly A Classic, But Queen's Worthy Of The Draw
7th of the season
By The Spider
February 24 2003
Saturday, 22nd February, 2003 Montrose 1 Queen's Park 1 (Bells Scottish League - Third Division)
As expected, Kenny Brannigan brought in Jamie White in place of the suspended Richard Sinclair, but the Queen's boss surprisingly handed David Menelaws his first starting place at the expense of Ross Clarke, with Mitchell and Gallagher also making way for Cairns and McCallum. Joining Sinclair in the stand was Willie Martin, with both players having missed the team bus at Hampden and having travelled all the way up on the supporters bus instead. What Kenny Brannigan said to both players upon their arrival at Montrose is not fit for publication!
For whatever reason, this was just one of those games that failed to get into second gear, and the result was a fairly dull spectacle with defences on top for most of the match.
Queen's had by far the better of the first half hour and created three good chances during that period. The first came in the 4th minute when John Gemmell headed a measured cross from Danny Ferry towards goal, but it was too straight and became an easy enough save for McGlynn.
Right on the quarter of an hour mark, Jamie White powerfully headed a right wing corner just inside McGlynn's right hand post only to see Donnachie rise to head the ball onto the underside of the bar. Damiano Agostini swung wildly at the rebound, sending it across the face of goal, the ball eventually reaching Jimmy Allan who blasted the ball over.
The last opportunity came in the 29th minute, John Gemmell turning in the area but only finding the side netting from close range.
Montrose made their first serious sortie up the park in the 33rd minute, and promptly took the lead with their only goal attempt of the entire half! There didn't look to be too much danger when Gregor McKechnie fired in a low left foot shot from 20 yards, but somehow Mark Cairns allowed himself to be caught out at his near post and the ball squirmed uncomfortably from his grasp before rolling gently into the back of the net.
Queen's had little to offer by way of response until shortly after half time. With Kenny Brannigan's shouts of "encouragement" still ringing in their ears, The Spiders deservedly equalised in the 48th minute with an equally untidy goal. Jamie White again rose powerfully to meet a right wing corner, and although his effort was again blocked on the line, Johnny Whelan quickly took advantage of poor defending to prod the ball home from barely two yards out.
Rather than inspire both sets of players, if anything the goal killed the game with neither side able to string enough passes together to cause their opponents undue concern, and play was all too often broken up by niggly fouls. Sinner in chief was Jimmy Allan who picked up his yet another needless booking in the 60th minute for persistent fouling.
The last half hour belonged to Montrose who lifted their game a little, and created a few half chances as a result. Craig volleyed over Mark Cairns, but into the side netting, in the 66th minute before Cairns saved a header from Kerrigan and then watched as a fierce low drive from McKechnie just missed his far post.
Christie earned himself a booking in the 85th minute for a late tackle on Chris Fisher before Montrose carved out the final two chances of the game. Firstly Johnson fired in a volley which bobbled along the ground before Cairns held it, and then Webster blasted the ball over the bar after he had played a quick 1-2 with McKechnie at the edge of the Queen's area.
So, KB is still looking for that first win, but Queen's now have two extremely difficult home games against East Fife and Morton coming up. Should victory be achieved in either of those games, then our coach will have much to be happy about.
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE : 2/5 STAR SPIDER : Jamie White (excelled at the basics)
QUEEN’S PARK : Mark Cairns, Danny Ferry, Stephen Canning (Ross Clarke - 74), Jamie White, Damiano Agostini, Stevie Fallon, David Menelaws (Chris Fisher - 78), Johnny Whelan, John Gemmell, David McCallum, Jimmy Allan (Paddy Gallagher - 81)
Subs (not used) : Tony Mitchell (GK), Stuart Kettlewell
Scorer(s) : Whelan (48 mins)
Booked : Allan (persistent fouling - 60)
MONTROSE : Gary McGlynn, Barry Donachie, Stuart Ferguson, Frank Conway (Keith Gibson - 61), Graeme Christie, John McQuillan, David Craig (Kevin Webster - 67), Grant Johnson, Gregor McKechnie, Steve Kerrigan (Ralph Brand - 78), Paul Riley
Subs (not used) : Michael Hankinson (GK), Graeme Thomson
Scorer(s) : McKechnie (33 mins)
Booked : Christie (late challenge - 85)
REFEREE : Crawford Allan *** (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)