Queen's Park2–1Arbroath

A trip to Hampden Park is the dream for most Scottish Football supporters but for Queen’s Park they are finally back playing at their home stadium after having to move out for the Commonwealth Games. Arriving early to a carpark, still showing the effects of a cold winter’s evening from previous evening this game was definitely going to go ahead thanks to the undersoil heating.

(With time to spare before kick off I took in the Scottish Football Museum and it’s well worth a visit, although sadly no mention of Arbroath’s record 36-0 victory! Surely a major part of Scottish Football History!)

With injuries, last week’s postponement and even midweek training succumbing to the weather and the curse of Manager of the month were things stacked against Arbroath before kick off? It seemed so as Paul McManus and Kevin Nicoll both missed the team due to injury, but there was a positive as David Crawford was on the pitch with his fellow keepers taking part in some light exercises.

The Lichties lined up with Marc McCallum in goal, with Ricky Little and Craig Johnstone and Right and Left back respectively with new on loan signing Ryan McGeever partnering Scott McBride in central defence. In Midfield Dylan Easton started on the left with Adam Hunter and Mark Whatley in the middle and Bobby Linn on the right and Simon Murray was partnered up front with Jack Smith.

Kevin Buchan, Jordan Lowdon, Johnny Lindsay, Keiran Stewart and Lenny Wilson were all on the bench.

Mark Whatley and Jack Smith kicked off the first half for Arbroath but in a repeat of the last encounter between the teams Queen’s Park took an early lead through Paul Woods in the 3rd minute. The goal was made by Shaun Rooney who had raced towards McCallum’s goal but as his pass was cleared it fell to Woods who blasted past McCallum from 15 yards.

Arbroath tried to rally and won two quick corners in succession but the first was cleared by Rooney and the second punched away by the impressive Muir in goal. Arbroath perhaps should have levelled when Jack Smith picked up a loose ball and ran through on goal but as he pulled the trigger from 17 yards out his shot was blocked from goal as Tony Quinn stretched out to block his shot. Another chance fell for Arbroath when Scott McBride leapt the highest for another corner winning the ball but as his shot was blocked it fell to Murray but Muir was lightning quick off his line and spread his body wide to prevent a certain goal.

A great turn and shot by Shaun Fraser rocketed off McCallum’s crossbar as Queen’s Park showed their intent as they sought a second goal and it wasn’t long before it came. Darren Miller found Sean Burns who netted at the backpost. The Arbroath defenders looked over to the linesmen but the goal stood.

It wasn’t the Arbroath performance that we have all come to expect. Queen’s Park harassed not letting our players find one another and when we did have the ball many simple passes just weren’t finding another maroon shirt. A shot on the volley from Adam Hunter went wide of Muir’s goal and then a surging run by Bobby Linn into the box forced a save from Muir as he shot from a tight angle.

Paul Woods was shown the yellow card for a heavy challenge on Dylan Easton by the corner flag in front of the 150 or so Lichtie fans who had made the long journey to support their team. Moments later Queen’s had to make a change with Ryan Hynes coming on for Ross McPherson.

Half time - Queen’s Park 2 – 0 Arbroath

The second half had just kicked off when Mark Whatley released Bobby Linn down the left wing and despite being chased down by two defenders managed to shoot from an angle forcing Muir to pull of another good save. Queen’s threatened at the other end with two corner kicks but McCallum dealt with the danger. Muir denied Linn once more as he shot from 16 yards out pushing it over for a corner. From the corner kick both Hunter and McGeever attacked and as the ball came out to Whatley he delicately chipped the ball back in forcing Muir to save as it looked to creep in under his crossbar. The loose ball coming back to Linn who turned his defender and shot across goal as McGeever threw himself to head the ball in just as Muir went to punch clear. Ryan McGeever did get to the ball first but as they bumped into one another the ball span up in the air before falling directly at Muir’s gloves.

It was starting to feel like one of those days! Linn again surged up the wing from the half way line before whipping a ball into the box but as Quinn went to clear, he missed but Muir was on hand to collect. Jack Smith was replaced by Kevin Buchan for the first Arbroath substitution and again Arbroath pressed. Another two corner kicks in quick succession and Ryan McGeever just headed over Muir’s crossbar as he fully connected with the in swinging ball.

It definitely was one of those days! Bobby Linn picked up the ball deep in his own half and applied the rocket boots flying up the wing leaving Berry in his shadow before putting in a teasing curling cross to the back post. Muir stayed rooted on his line and Simon Murray had to adjust to hit the ball on the volley but his shot found the inside of Muir’s post with the rebound again falling directly into the gloves of Muir. Kevin Buchan was next to test Muir but as he cut in after beating his defender Muir once again saved.

Arbroath made their second switch with Jordan Lowdon replacing Craig Johnstone. As Arbroath pushed for a goal Queen’s Park were using their quick passing to go on the counter and Marc McCallum pulled off a great save from debutant Hynes at the other end as the game started to go from end to end.

Simon Murray showed an excellent touch to control the ball before running towards goal but his left footed shot was just over. Queen’s made their second change with Kevin Fotheringham replacing Shaun Fraser before Arbroath made their final change with Keiran Stewart coming on for Simon Murray.

Marc McCallum was brave in rushing out to save from the feet of Ryan Hynes although seemed to take a knock to the face as they both came together in the box. As the clock ticked down Dylan Easton had a shot saved before Bobby Linn finally did find the back of the net as his long range shot took a deflection. The goal was too late for a comeback as the referee blew for full time a minute later.