Amateurs Topple Millionaire's Under-Achievers

Kettlewell(qpfc.com)
By The Spider
August 28 2004

Saturday, 28th August, 2004 Queen’s Park 3 Gretna 2 (Bells Scottish League – Third Division) (Picture from qpfc.com) Yet again Q.P. shocked Gretna with a late goal to stun the big spenders and restore the feelgood factor at fortress Hampden.

Bobby Dickson and Scott Murdoch had the luxury of being able to field an unchanged line-up from an unchanged squad as they entered the dug-out for only their second, but indeed their last, game in charge of the players that new coach Billy Stark will inherit from the enforced recent departure of Kenny Brannigan.

Quite what the coach in waiting (he officially starts on Monday) thought of this game as viewed from his seat in stand remains to be seen, but this was probably as good an all-round Queen's performance as Hampdenites have viewed for some time. To beat Gretna is no mean achievement in itself, but to deservedly do so having gifted two crazy goals is especially impressive.

Ross Clark is currently enjoying the freedom to roam where he pleases and that has enabled him to get into some great scoring positions this season. In only the second minute he shot narrowly wide with a decent left foot shot, only to miss an open goal from inside the six yard box two minutes later. It was a brilliant counter-attacking move which sent the stylish Alan Trouten free on the right wing, and the youngster's superb low ball across the six yard box could not have sat up better for Ross to stroke home on the run, but somehow in near Heskey fashion he missed making contact completely to add "miss of the season" to his "goal of the season" nomination. Seconds later the ball came back in from the left, and Ally Graham's left foot volley flashed marginally wide of the left upright.

Gretna promptly broke up to the other end where Bingham uncharacteristically ballooned the ball over the bar when right in front of goal.

The previously much maligned pair of Paul Harvey and Ally Graham, both enjoying much improved form this season, combined well to free David McCallum who had made a blind side run on the left, but Mathieson got down well to save the wing-back's low shot. this was to be Harvey's last involvement in the game as he limped off clutching his hamstring a few moments later to be replaced by the less skilful but equally effective Stuart Kettlewell.

Galloway then headed a deep Baldacchino cross over at the back post whilst up at the other end, Skelton wildly sliced an Ally Graham knockdown over his own crossbar.

It had been both an enterprising and entertaining start by Queen's who were showing no inferiority complex whatsoever. A superb through ball from Ally Graham found Frankie Carroll in the clear, but from a good position at the right hand side of the area, the little striker sliced his half volley wide with support arriving in the middle.

Gretna dangerman Ryan Baldacchino was certainly not endearing himself to home fans with the ease he was finding himself prone on the lush turf, nor indeed were they pleased with the ease that referee Crawford Allan was being taken in by his frequent sprawls. One such incident in the 34th minute sufficiently provoked Gavin Rushford to try to haul the winger to his feet, but Baldacchino's furious aggressive reaction surely deserved more than the yellow card which was flashed to both players.

Gretna finished the half in the ascendancy, and David Crawford saved firstly from a low Smith shot and then a crisply struck drive from Bingham.

There were no further substitutions at half time, and Queen's again were out of the starting blocks quicker than their opponents and a Ross Clark snapshot narrow sped past Mathieson's left hand post. Then , right out of nowhere, Gretna were handed an undeserved lead.

There seemed little danger as Stevie Reilly covered a loose pass inside the Queen's area, but inexplicably (unless Stevie just never saw him) he allowed Bingham to come in and steal the ball away before sliding it to Ryan Baldacchino who had an easy task of guiding it under a bemused David Crawford for the opener.

Stung by this injustice, Ross Clark decided to take on the entire Gretna defence as he ran at them from the halfway line, only to be halted in his tracks at the edge of the area. It looked as if he might be awarded a soft free kick, but then to be booked for diving given what Baldacchino had been getting away with was inconsistency at its worst.

Frankie Carroll contorted well to fire a volley narrowly past in the 52nd minute, but Queen's were perhaps fortunate to escape two minutes later when David McCallum cleared a shot off the line and David Crawford reacted well to tip a deflected follow-up shot over the bar.

Alan Trouten was booked for his first mistimed tackle of the game in the 59th minute, which preceded Birch's blast over the bar from 30 yards out. Stuart Kettlewell tried his luck from similar distance a few minutes later, but his effort trickled harmlessly into Mathieson's hands.

As the end to end play continued, David Crawford saved a McGuffie header, Mathieson did likewise with a direct free kick from Ross Clark, before Crawford showed excellent reflexes to grab a Smith header which looked to have gone behind him. The young 'keeper was called into action again moments later when he held a shot from McQuilken.

It was at this point that Bobby Dickson and Scott Murdoch made an inspired substitution which ultimately turned the game. Too often Queen's fans have seen like for like changes which do little to change a game, but recognising that Ross Clark and Stuart Kettlewell both had plenty of energy left, Brian Blair was sacrificed for Bryan Felvus to allow Queen's to play with three up. Too often Ally Graham has had to persevere with only one striker or one supporting midfielder feeding off him, but now he was in seventh heaven with two of each.

The effect was both instant and obvious, as Gretna now had so many outlets from big Ally's knockdowns to deal with, they didn't know where to look next. Frankie Carroll was the first beneficiary when Ally nodded down a great Shaun Molloy cross from the left byeline, but with all the time in the world to steady himself, Frankie blasted his first time shot over the bar with the net just waiting to be bulged.

The net would only have to wait a further two minutes though when Ally Graham nodded the ball over the Gretna defence for young Bryan Felvus to dive headlong to nod the ball past Mathieson from close range.

No sooner had the ecstatic celebrations died down than Gretna were ahead once more. A dubious free kick was awarded just outside the penalty area, and from a perfectly flighted delicate little chip, David Bingham rose unchallenged inside the six yard to nod the simplest goal of his career past a static looking David Crawford.

Queen's didn't have time to feel sorry for themselves, nor did they. Again an Ally Graham knock down caused panic in the Gretna penalty area and another diving header from Bryan Felvus came back off the post with Ross Clark's strike from the rebound being somehow miraculously cleared off the line by Skelton. But this Queen's side are certainly tryers, and their next attack brought the fortune that favours the brave when Frankie Carroll resisted all attempts to have his jersey forcibly removed to force yet another quality Ally Graham knock down home from two yards out.

Now Queen's, backed by a vociferous home support, had the scent of blood in their nostrils, but they nearly paid for their over-enthusiasm when Baldacchino found space in front of goal only to shoot weakly past the near upright to loud ironic cheers. That bad miss by he of the dazzling white footwear was to ultimately cost his side their lead at the top of the table.

With Getna panicking at every high ball that came Ally Graham's way, they needlessly conceded a corner in the final minute. David McCallum swung it to the packed six yard box, and when it was only half cleared to the side of the penalty spot, Stewart Kettlewell composed himself before lashing it gleefully into the roof of the net.

A minute later, Bryan Felvus hammered a great shot at Mathieson in search of his second but, after the sensible lead-protecting substitution of Ally Graham (job done!) with Damiano Agostini, it was left to the cool heads of Ross Clark and Frankie Carroll to run the clock down over at the left corner flag as Queen's finally did to their opponents what they themselves have had to endure on numerous occasions.

It was a great victory resulting from a great team performance, and Billy Stark probably didn't know whether to laugh (quality of players he is acquiring) or cry (raised expectations of supporters now) at the final whistle. Unlike last week, Bobby Dickson and Scott Murdoch got it tactically right this time, and they will have done their causes no harm if they wish to continue with in their assistant coaching roles. Billy Stark has several options at his disposal, but it is likely that he will make no immediate decision regarding his choice of assistant(s), preferring instead to use Bobby (and perhaps Scott) in the short term to smooth his introduction.

His preparation time will be short however, as this Tuesday evening Queen's reap the "reward" of last month's Challenge Cup victory over Stenhousemuir when they make the trip to Forfar's Station Park hoping for a repeat of their memorable last visit there. It is perhaps a no-lose situation for the new boss as Forfar will be firm favourites to progress, whereas he will no doubt be quickly proclaimed the new Messiah by travelling supporters should The Spiders make it through to the third round!

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE :  5/5

STAR SPIDER(S) :  Ally Graham (led the line superbly throughout his best game in a Queen's jersey)

QUEEN’S PARK :  David Crawford, Alan Trouten, David McCallum, Gavin Rushford, Stevie Reilly, Shaun Molloy, Ross Clark, Paul Harvey (Stuart Kettlewell - 15), Ally Graham (Damiano Agostini - 90), Frankie Carroll, Brian Blair (Bryan Felvus - 72)

Subs (not used) :  Stevie McGovern (G/K), David Weatherston

Scorer(s) : Felvus (80), Carroll (84), Kettlewell (90)

Booked : Rushford (34 - ungentlemanly conduct), Clark (49 - simulation), Trouten (59 - late tackle)

GRETNA : David Mathieson, Mark Birch, Gavin Skelton, Richard Procas (Kenny Deuchar - 89), Andy Aitken, David Holdsworth (Ryan McGuffie - 68), Ryan Baldacchino, Michael Galloway, Andy Smith, David Bingham, Mark Boyd (Jamie McQuilken - 65)

Subs (not used) :  Craig Summersgill (G/K), Stephen Cosgrove

Scorer(s) :  Baldacchino (48), Bingham (81)

Booked : Baldacchino (34 - aggressive behaviour)

REFEREE : Crawford Allan *  (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)