A few suprises as injuries have limited us so far. We reverted back to the 4-5-1 that worked wonders at Balmoor Stadium a few weeks ago. The same line-up with the exception of Shaun Molloy replaced by long term injury victim Danny Ferry , who was leading the team out after nine long months watching from the stands.
Gretna's up front didn't look helpful for our weak defence , with Damiano Agostini & Shaun Molloy crocked . Ricky Sinclair & Gav Rushford would have to perform admirably to contain Kenny Deuchar & David Bingham (who have scored an amazing 35 goals between them) while our 5 man midfield had a job on his hands , containing Derek Townsley & Gavin Skelton.
And the obviously the QP players would be slightly dissapointed about Saturday's tie at Coatbridge being called off where a win was expected but instead two days later we play the team 5pts clear at the top of the table , 30-odd points ahead of third place and scored 60+ goals. Gretna were obviously the favourites , BUT they were favourites on 28th August when they came to Hampden and a late QP surge sent Gretna spinning to ugly defeat.
Could we sink the borderers again to find out you would have to sit in your seats the full ninety as in the last seven encounters there has been at least one goal in the last seven minutes , the most famous the 3-2 game earlier this season when Gretna scored one and QP scored three in the last 10 mins.
But the Black & Whites will be looking to repeat the 4-1 trashing they gave at Raydale in October.
Early doors the Glorious Hoops were matching the millionares in all departments but Gretna had 2 or 3 chances to go ahead. David Bingham beat everyone in the box and could have shot past Crawford but he took it to the by-line and put in a hopeless cross which Rushford cut away from Deuchar.
Gilfillan done the exact same twice and it looked as if some Gretna idiocy was gonna cut their goals scored in this game.
Queen's first chance came when Brian Blair cut along the edge of the box and fed a low cross to the front post which Gretna 'keeper Dave Mathieson narrowly beat Frankie to. A minute later Stuart Kettlewell was booked for a rash challenge on Bingham , who had already made two blatant dives and was not booked for his stupidity.
We lost the opener on 21 minutes. A long ball from Davie Irons found the head of Deuchar who nodded down to Bingham who outpaced Danny Ferry and smashed the ball past Crawford in the QP goal.
A few minutes later Frankie boy had the ball in the goals. A Danny Ferry throughball found Carroll who slotted past Mathieson with an excellent finish.
But the linesman had his flag up for offside.
And Alan Trouten made an excellent run beating four Gretna defenders but his shot was tipped round the post by David Mathieson.
QP had a few good chances Clark , Mark Ferry & Stuart Kettlewell all coming close before it reached the 44th minute. Alan Trouten swung the ball over to
Danny who delivered an inch-perfect cross which Stuart Kettlewell headed home powerfully.
It was Ketts second QP goal , his first came on that brillliant win at Hampden against none other than Gretna. Was he telling us something????
The half-time whistle sounded , Queen's were back in the game.
The match was becoming frantic and action was no doubt in abundance. Ross Clark had a shot deflected wide for a corner kick , before Mark Ferry made his second goalline clearance of the match.
QP should have had a penalty minutes later. Trouten running inside the box but he was cut down by Cosgrove but referee Sproule judjed him to have dived.
Gilfillan joined Deuchar in the book minutes later. He attempted to kick Ferry then seconds later violently chopped him down and Sproule rightly booked him. Seconds later a cheeky Paul Harvey chip from thrity yards nearly found the net but an acrobatic save by Mathieson kept the veteran midfielder out.
After that something strange happened. A Kettlewell strike from 22yds was blocked by Gilfillan's hand a yard INSIDE the box but ref Sproule gave a free-kick , but if it was delibarate why was he not sent off for a second booking??? Anyway nothing came from it as Harve's free-kick floated over.
Twice Gavin Rushford saved Queen's. He silkily backheeled the ball away then a few moments later made a stunning challenge on Deuchar on the half way line
Sinky was lucky not to be booked for chopping down Bingham on the edge of a box but Gav kicked the ball away and he was booked for Dissent. Minutes later Sinky made yet another poor challenge and was booked.
Near the end Graham replaced Blair but his 1st chance after a Carroll cut in was blazed over the bar.
It was a great performance. Bring on the Rovers!!!
QUEEN'S PARK:Crawford 6 , Trouten 8 , D.Ferry 8 , Sinclair (y) 7 , Rushford (y) 10 , R.Clark 7 , Blair 8 (Graham 4) , Harvey 8 , M.Ferry 8 , Kettlewell (y-g) 9 , Carroll 8
GOALSCORERS:Kettlewell - 44
BOOKINGS:Kettlewell - Late Tackle , Rushford - Dissent , Sinclair - Persistent Fouling
MAN OF THE MATCH:Gavin Rushford , 10 ( Was immense at the back and was the sole reason Kenny Deuchar did not score for Gretna)