Hold-Up At Hampden

Kettlewell(qpfc.com)
By Graeme D. Shields
November 10 2003

Saturday, 8th November, 2003 Queen's Park 0 Cowdenbeath 0 (Bells Scottish League - Third Division)

It shows how poor things have become for Queen’s Park when the most exciting thing that happens at Hampden is the second half being delayed by 20 minutes. The delay was apparently due to one of the Assistant Referee’s not being fit enough to continue running the line. An announcement was made by Gordon Lynas over the PA system asking for any SFA qualified officials to make himself known. We then had the sight of well known Spiders fan Ian Fitzpatrick (who is a qualified referee) being led down to the tunnel to stand in. Obviously the referee took one look at Fitzy and decided that his Assistant was fit enough to continue. This was the worst decision of the day because a well known Queen’s Park fan running the line for the entire second half would certainly have brought a dire and incredibly boring game to life.

The first action in the game took place in the 7^th minute when Innes Ritchie had a low drive well held by Scrimgour.

Five minutes later the Queen’s keeper was in action again this time catching a powerful shot from 25 yards by Bryan Gilfillan.

The home side’s first attempt at goal came after 17 minutes when Ally Graham hit the side netting with a curling free kick from just outside the box.

In the 22^nd minute a cross from the left found Ritchie unmarked 6 yards out but his poor header went tamely by the Queen’s right-hand post.

Five minutes later the Spiders defence was caught napping when a through ball sent Graeme Brown away and he brought a great reflex save from Scrimgour.

Just before half-time a great cross from Danny Ferry found Ally Graham who nudged it to Stuart Kettlewell who shot but Carlin saved his effort.

With a longer than usual half-time it was no surprise that it took both teams so long to get back to any real action. It was 19 minutes into the second half before we had any significant action. Cowden’s McInally surged up the left wing and produced a stunningly powerful shot from 30 yards that just fizzed past the post.

In the 71^st minute Shields spun and shot just over the Queen’s crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.

Two minutes later Danny Ferry almost scored a bizarre goal. Attempting to keep the ball in play he got his foot to a ball right on the touchline and he hoofed it towards the Cowden penalty area. The ball kept drifting in the air for what seemed an age before dipping under the crossbar. Unfortunately for Danny and the home fans the Cowden keeper was there to touch it over.

With just 6 minutes remaining Queen’s and Steve Moffat benefited from a poor decision by referee Downie. Gilfillan managed to wriggle free of Moffat and was bearing down on the Spiders penalty box when the big Queen’s defender clearly tugged him from behind. There is no doubt in my mind that it was a goal scoring opportunity and worthy of a red card under the rules but then Downie only produced a yellow card. One wonders what Mr Brannigan would have said if the same thing had happened at the other end.

Queen’s nearly snatched the winner 2 minutes into stoppage time when Stephen Canning latched onto a knockdown from Ally Graham. Unfortunately when a bit of composure was required he lashed out at the ball and sent it way over the bar.

I have always loved watching Queen’s play at Hampden. It is our stadium and I’m so proud of that fact but these days the thought of going there to see Queen’s doesn’t quite have the same buzz. In the last few months we have been subjected to some pretty dismal games and performances. I don’t expect us to win every game but what I do expect is a Queen’s team to get the ball down on the deck and play the passing game that we gave to the world. We have some great young players at this Club and we should be encouraging them to get the ball and make things happen. Stuart Kettlewell and Ross Clark worked tirelessly to get themselves into positions where they could receive the ball and create things, but most of the time we took the easy option in hitting long balls up to Ally Graham. We have seen in the previous 2 games that teams do far better on a big, perfect pitch when you play with pace and movement. We have the players to do this. Kettlewell, Reilly and Clark should be getting the ball and giving it to someone like Allan Dunning who should be skinning full backs and hitting the bye line to cross for Ally Graham. It can’t be any less successful than the way we are playing at the moment, but it sure as hell would be a lot more exciting. 

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE : 1/5

STAR SPIDER :  Stuart Kettlewell (When we give him the ball he can make things happen)

QUEEN’S PARK : Derek Scrimgour, Danny Ferry, Stephen Moffat, Richard Sinclair (John Thomson – 32), Damiano Agostini, Stevie Fallon, Ross Clark, Stuart Kettlewell, Ally Graham, Jonny Whelan, (Stephen Canning – 85), Stevie McAuley (Derek Carcary – 79) 

Subs (not used) : David Crawford (GK), Paddy Gallagher

Scorer(s) : none

Booked : Clark (37 – bad tackle), Whelan (83 – persistent fouling), Moffat (84 – foul)

COWDENBEATH : Andy Carlin, Calvin Shand, David McInally, Bryan Gilfillan, John McKeown, Innes Ritchie, Gary Fusco (Steven Stewart – 66), Craig Winter, Graeme Brown (John Fallon – 55), Dene Shields (Iain Mauchlen – 82), Dave Mowat

Subs (not used) : Allan Fleming (G/K), Liam Buchanan

Scorer(s) : none

Booked : Mauchlen (90 – bad tackle),

REFEREE : Jamie Downie ***  (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)