Spiders Are Flattering To Deceive

Menelaws (qpfc.com)
By The Spider
September 21 2003

Saturday, 20th September, 2003 Queen's Park 1 Montrose 1 (Bells Scottish League - Third Division)

Whether some of the Queen's players had one eye on Tuesday's forthcoming League Cup tie with Livingston on their minds or not, is something that only they will know, but this game was played by a few of them at half pace.

It looked promising enough in the early stages as both sides looked sharp, and there were some near things at either end.

Montrose were first to threaten in the 3rd minute when a long diagonal ball over the top of the Queen's defence found Michie in acres of space, but the on-loan Aberdeen striker shot wide of the target.

Queen's could have taken the lead just three minutes later when a neat move involving Ally Graham, Ross Clark and Stevie McAuley put the last named through on Hankinson, but the 'keeper spread himself well to block McAuley's close range effort. However, the ball rebounded nicely for Ally Graham and it took a defender's goal line clearance to keep the big striker's first time low shot out

Spurred on by that near miss, Queen's continued to apply pressure and Stevie Canning hooked wide from a Graham knock-down before Stevie McAuley had a close range shot cleared off the line at the expense of a corner.

Then it was the visitor's turn to hem Queen's back in their own half and Brash twice came close in quick succession. Firstly, on the quarter of an hour mark, the winger forced a good save from Derek Scrimgour with a first time shot and then, three minutes later, the same player's back header nearly caught the Queen's 'keeper off guard.

Some very poor defensive marking in the 20th minute allowed Conway time and space at the back post to pick his spot, but fortunately the defender blazed his shot well over the bar. There was another let-off five minutes later when Scrimgour came for a corner and missed the ball completely, but thankfully Ross Clark was on hand at the back post to head the ball off the goal-line.

It was therefore surprising, coming as it was against the run of play, that Queen's should open the scoring after half an hour. There was a fair degree of good fortune attached to it as well because Stevie Moffat's low shot took a kind deflection into the path of Stevie McAuley whose own shot deflected past Hankinson to trundle into the empty net.

A great flowing move by Queen's from one end of the park to the other in the 36th minute should have seen the home side extend their lead, but no-one had gambled on Ross Clark producing a great first time left wing cross and the open invitation across the face of the goal went unanswered.

Montrose got themselves back on level terms three minutes later when Derek Scrimgour looked slow to react to a through header from Kerrigan and Scott Michie got to the ball first to fire home.

It had been a fairly entertaining first half, but what was to follow was something akin to a training session, such was the snail's pace that much of the second half was played at. Fortunately though, Montrose seemed in no mood to take advantage, and the Queen's defence was seldom troubled.

In the 56th minute Ross Clark, and for the umpteenth time this season, got himself into a great scoring position but miscued his hurried effort wide of the target. If only Ross, one of our best players so far this term, could add a little composure to his game when in the opponent's penalty area, it's frightening to think how many goals he could score during a season.

When Queen's were awarded a free kick in "Ally Graham territory" in the 57th minute, it looked as if the big man would take the opportunity to fire in one of his trademark left footed free kicks. Instead, Paul Harvey's "decoy" run was anything but and the midfielder's curling right foot shot dipped over a flat-footed Hankinson, but narrowly wide of the far post.

Ally Graham got onto the end of a long 79th minute cross from Danny Ferry, but again Ross Clark was unable to apply the killer touch to big Ally's flick-on and Ross's close range header was comfortably held by Hankinson.

Prior to coming to Hampden, David Menelaws had earned a reputation as a clinical finisher but, despite a couple of instances of that at the end of last season, for many the jury remains out. With five minutes remaining, Ally Graham neatly nodded a great cushioned header into the striker's path and, with Hankinson stranded yards off his line, it looked as if an early lob over the 'keeper's head was the easiest option. Instead, David elected to wait until the ball sat up for him at ankle level before he hooked wide of goal.

A minute later Ross Clark became the only player from either side to be booked when, despite the whistler's best efforts to keep his notebook clean by administering stern warnings instead, Ross gave Willie Young little option when he clattered into an opponent from behind in a desperate attempt to make up for giving away possession at the edge of his own area.

With Montrose looking dead on their feet, at least Queen's finished by far the stronger side even if their attacks looked sluggish in comparison to recent weeks. With just two minutes remaining, Ally Graham nodded a great corner from Paul Harvey inches over the bar before David Menelaws hung his head in shame by glancing a header wide from two yards out after he got onto the end of a great ball in from Danny Ferry.

Whilst much of this game is instantly forgettable, one thing that may stick in the memory, future performances depending, is how Queen's appear to have lost the high level of fitness which so impressed observers at the start of the season. Whether that is the case, or whether something was being kept back in reserve, will no doubt be established on Tuesday when anything less than 100% endeavour against Livingston will see any lingering lethargy cruelly punished.

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE : 2/5           STAR SPIDER : Ross Clark (no shortage of effort)

QUEEN’S PARK : Derek Scrimgour, Danny Ferry, Stephen Moffat (John Thomson - 77), Stevie Reilly, Richard Sinclair,Stevie Fallon, Ross Clark, Stephen Canning (Paul Harvey -53), Ally Graham, Jonny Whelan, Steven McAuley (David Menelaws - 58)

Subs (not used) : Brian McCue (GK), Paddy Gallagher

Scorer(s) : McAuley (30 mins)

Booked : Clark (86 - late challenge)

MONTROSE : Mike Hankinson, Barry Donachie, Stuart Ferguson, John McQuillan, Mark Simpson, Frank Conway, Craig Smart (Graham Sharp - 71), Trialist (Craig Farnan - 71), Scott Michie (Jamie Watt - 83), Stevie Kerrigan, Kris Brash

Subs (not used) : Trialist (GK), Greg Smith

Scorer(s) : Michie (39 mins)

Booked : none

REFEREE :  Willie Young *** (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)