For a change, Queen's Park have enjoyed a decent run in the Scottish Cup this year. Coming in at the second round stage, we defeated Huntly 3-0 away from home. I wasn't there but by all accounts, it was a comfortable dispatching of the Highland League side. The third round saw us play well to defeat Elgin 3-1 in a replay at Hampden after a 1-1 draw. This set up a tie against Motherwell, 3 divisions higher than Queen's, at Fir Park.
Queen's Park have a rich history in the Scottish Cup, being the third most frequent winners behind Rangers and Celtic with 10 wins. Admittedly, the last one of these was in 1893 when 2 goals from W. Sellar defeated Celtic 2-1 at Ibrox. Sadly, pickings have been slim since. 1900 saw the Spiders' last final, an unfortunate 4-3 defeat to Celtic (Queen's had been a goal up). Season 1927-28 is the closest we've come to another final when we lost 2-1 in the semi final at Ibrox, again to Celtic. This year is the 120th anniversary of the 1892 final which we lost 5-1.....to Celtic! S.T. Waddell scored the Queen's goal.
We had a memorable Cup run in 2009 which took us to an away tie in the last 16 against, yes, Celtic, managed then by Gordon Strachan. An outstanding performance saw us only edged out 2-1. Queen's were 2-0 down. I think the roof came off the away end when Queen's sub Adam Coakley slotted past Artur Boruc to make it 2-1. It's hard to believe we were relegated that year.
I had a few hopes as I paid my £15 at the turnstile, namely, avoid losing an early goal, play as well as we can do, avoid a thrashing and perhaps sneak a replay or even better. I've seen Queen's play Motherwell twice in the League Cup, both resulting in 3-0 defeats. We were due a break surely.
Above: taking a photo of yourself is hellish. The club crest is (temporarily) tatooed on my right cheek.
With one of my old university acquaintances, fellow lawyer Kevin Clancy, officiating, we kicked off. We kept it tight for a whole 90 seconds before Motherwell had their first chance, attacking towards the away support. As Arthur Montford used to say, a bit of a stramash and we breathed again. Not for long as, after 6 minutes, Omar Daley somehow overcame being sandwiched by two Queen's defenders in the penalty area and fired a shot in off keeper Neil Parry's right hand post. I looked at Clancy hoping for a free kick. Sadly not. It looked like a long afternoon ahead. Early goal lost. Hope number one off the list.
I might as well run through the other goals. In 21 minutes, Jamie Murphy gathered the ball outside the penalty area. "He's aiming for the top right hand corner" I thought. Sure enough, that's where he sent it. "Bread and butter save for our keeper" I also thought until it spun through his hands into the net. 2-0. Oh dear!
Above: second half, Queen's on the attack.
In 72 minutes, Motherwell attacked with pace. Chris Humphrey's cross was converted by Murphy to put the game beyond us then in the final minute, seconds after Jamie Longworth had ballooned an effort over the bar for us, Henrik Ojamaa side stepped Queen's defender Jamie Brough and sent a shot past Parry. 3-0 would have been okay. 4-0 stung a little bit.
The bare stats don't tell all. In reality, Queen's put up a very strong fight and the main difference between the teams was lethalness in front of goal. At 1-0, Queen's had a couple of opportunities and, at 2-0 until Motherwell got the third goal, enjoyed the bulk of possession and pressure. Numerous times, balls were played across goal crying out for a tap in. I've seen us create less chances in the Third Division. We were also very guilty of over elaboration, too many touches and passes when shooting opportunities arose. Overall though, I was pleased with what I witnessed. The following from The Herald's match report is a fair assessment of what I saw with my own eyes.
"the scoreline does not reflect the crispness of so much of the visitors' passing and movement. They sought to keep hold of the ball, to be constructive and ambitious, and some sharper instincts and technique in and around the penalty area would have caused the home side to be a bit more troubled. The visitors were 2-0 down at half time...but were the more composed, more resourceful side for much of the second half. Had Jamie Longworth's drive not been tipped round the post by Darren Randolph...or Ian Watt's effort not drifted wide, the dynamic of the game would have shifted even more in Queen's Park's favour."
Unfortunately our constructive and ambitious team are out the Cup for another year. Maybe in 2013, 120 years since we last lifted the trophy, it could be our turn again.
For now, it's Elgin in the league on Saturday at Hampden. Come along and see us for yourself.
Queen's Park team against Motherwell: Parry, McGinn, Meggatt, Little, Brough, Anderson, Watt, McBride (Gallacher), Smith (Daly), Longworth, Murray (Burns), Subs Not Used: Ronald, Strain (goalkeeper)
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