Match Report

Queens Park v Stenhousemuir at Hampden Park, Glasgow on 29.10.16

SPFL Ladbrokes League One                     Att 538

Queens Park 0 Stenhousemuir 3 [Gilhaney 28, McMenamin 47 pen, Roy 66]

Queens Park – Muir, Millen, McLeish, Fotheringham [so 47], McGeever, Cummins, Woods [Watt 57], Miller [Brady 70], Malone [b47][McKernon 50][b79], Brown and Zanatta. Subs not used – McVey, Wharton, Gibson and MacPherson.

Stenhousemuir – Crawford, Meechan, Summers [b55], Marsh, Kerr, Berry, Gilhaney, Millar [b23][Smith 86], McMenamin [McCroary 76], Roy and Cook [Docherty 70]. Subs not used – Hamilton, Stirling and McCabe.

Referee – David Munro               Assistants – Stephen Mitchell and Finlay Currie.

Stenhousemuir made several changes for this clash between the bottom two clubs. It was vital that the Warriors got something out of the game to keep in touch even at this stage of the season. Both Jamie McCormick and Willis Furtado were suspended whilst Oliver Shaw was on Scotland duty. Ross Meechan moved to right back with David Marsh returning after illness, Alan Cook came back on the left flank after injury and Alistair Roy started up front. There was another change after the late signing of David Crawford and the experienced keeper who had played for Partick Thistle against Stenhousemuir in the Betfred Cup earlier in the season took over the number one jersey.

The game took a while to get going but once it did Stenhousemuir took the initiative. Alan Cook throughout the game was a constant danger and a clever pass split the Queens defence open in the 17^th minute and Roy’s effort was well blocked by Ryan McGeever. Two minutes later Mark Gilhaney’s cross from the right flank picked out Colin McMenamin but he miss kicked when he had a sight on goal. Cook was causing problems and a pin point pass in the 28^th minute picked out Roy and when his prodded effort was pushed out by Willie Muir but Mark Gilhaney reacted first to rifle a shot in off the underside of the crossbar.

The main outlet in open play for the home side was from Paul Woods and his runs were causing some problems but apart from a run and shot wide in the 40^th minute the Warriors weren’t troubled. The other danger was from corner kicks delivered by Darren Miller and in the last minute of the first half one of his corners was headed on by Adam Cummins and cleared off the line by David Marsh.

When the half time whistle blew Stenhousemuir would have been the happier team and were merited their lead. They have been slow out of the blocks on occasion though and a slow start could have gave the Spiders impetus. The momentum stayed with the Warriors though and indeed moved further in their favour just after the resumption, Ally Roy was pulled back in the process of shooting by Gregor Fotheringham and the ex-Warrior was sent off. The home side felt that Ross Millen had got back in time to cover but nonetheless referee David Munro had no hesitation in his decision. Colin McMenamin dispatched the penalty into the net.

David Zanatta came close with a header that was cleared by March in the 50^th minute but the main threat was at the other end with Roy and Cook bringing Muir into the action with a couple of fine saves. Roy then tested Muir once again in the 55^th minute and a minute later Cook was denied once again before a Gilhaney flick landed on the roof of the net. They couldn’t be kept out though and Roy struck with a drilled effort after good work by Kieran Millar in the 66^th minute. Roy was unlucky not to extend the lead even further with a powerful strike that was well saved by the keeper.

At the other end chances were few and far between but David Crawford was eventually called into action in the 77^th minute when Zanatta struck a powerful effort across goal but the ex-Queens keeper did well to get down quickly and save.

With no further scoring before the end it was a welcome and well deserved win for the Warriors and will help their goal difference as well. There were positives to take from the game apart from the three points as they created more chances from open play and were well marshalled at the back with Crawford’s influence showing.