Match Preview - Queen's Park vs Ross County

Last updated : 17 August 2007 By Andyboy
The full time Staggies have like Queen's, made a great start to their season. They sit 3rd in the league with four points after two games, a 2-0 win against Ayr United on the opening day followed up by a 2-2 draw last Saturday against Cowdenbeath at Central Park. Dick Campbell's men have also like Queen's advanced to the Second Round of both cups. They triumphed 3-1 over Elgin City in the CIS Insurance Cup 1st Round at Victoria Park and notched the result of the Challenge Cup First Round as they dumped First Division Dundee 2-1 at Dens Park.

This is the first meeting of the sides in almost ten years, with the last coming in season 1998/99 as County ran away with the Third Division championship. In the last encounter Queen's ruined County's title celebrations with a 2-1 win at Victoria Park. Goals from John Brown and Kevin Finlayson sunk the Highlanders that day and took the gloss off their title celebrations, on the day they were meant to lift the Championship.

Our last Hampden encounter is one to forget however, a horrible 0-3 defeat in February 1999, in which ex Spider Ian "Maxie" Maxwell netted for County and current Spiders favourite Damiano Agostini scored an unfortunate own goal.

Ex-Brechin City and Partick Thistle boss Dick Campbell, now at County, has led both of these former clubs out of the Second Division, he will no doubt be looking to do similiar this season but is currently suffering from goalkeeping problems. Veteran Tony Bullock is injured while Joe Malin is on loan at Elgin and cannot be recalled. This leaves 16 year old Matt Curtis at the only keeper availiable and that will no doubt make it difficult for the Dingwall club.

Queen's will be without the suspended Richard Sinclair, while both Paul Ronald and Stephen Reilly are doubts. Robert Dunn will likely return to the bench and Paul Cairney will return to the first XI.