Sensational Strike Seals Victory For Young Spiders
Keith Mackenzie
By The Spider
July 21 2004
Monday, 17th May, 2004 St. Mirren U-19s 2 Queen's Park Vics 3 (a.e.t.) (U-19 League Cup Final)
Having comfortably
disposed of
Queen’s
supporters’ hopes that prodigy Derek Carcary would feature in the Spiders’
line-up were dashed upon arrival at Love Street, as the youngster elected not to make his
first appearance in the competition because he felt that he would be depriving one of the
players who had got the team there of a medal. A wise head on young shoulders indeed.
Instead, young
Del-boy took his place in the Directors’ Box to watch the game, as did nearly 1,000
others of whom significant numbers were Queen’s fans.
The Vics won an
early free kick, but although he made a great connection with the ball, Bryan Felvus’s
powerful shot cannoned back off the defensive wall. The Buddies could have taken the lead
in the 5th minute when Gemmill surged into the Queen’s area, but his low
cross towards McKenna at the back post was toe-poked by an outstretched defender’s
leg just beyond the unmarked winger.
Alan Trouten tried
his luck from long range a minute later, but his effort soared well over the bar. The home
side made an early breakthrough in the 8th minute when Craig Molloy latched onto a loose high ball in the Queen’s area to
turn and fire an unstoppable low volley beyond David Crawford in the Queen’s goal.
McKenna then
flicked a volley wide of the near post as the home side sought to stretch their advantage.
Bryan Felvus was
looking lively for the visitors, and his 20th minute low shot across the face
of the goal nearly crept in at the back post.
Molloy and centre
half Gordon then fired in good efforts that narrowly evaded the target as the end to end
nature of the game continued.
Both sides looked
well capable of snatching the next goal, and it was another of rare quality. Jordan White
made an excellent turn with his back to goal to burst into the Saints area and, as Smith
advanced towards him with defenders also snapping at his heels, the big striker cleverly
squared the ball for Bryan Felvus to run in and
sweep it high into the net above the outstretched despairing leg of right wing-back
Gordon.
Queen’s could
have taken the lead themselves soon afterwards when David Weatherston was sent clean
through by Felvus, but the striker delayed his shot too long and a retreating defender
managed to get a leg in the way. Alan Trouten had another go from long range in the 41st
minute, but Smith made a good low save.
St. Mirren regained
the lead a minute later when David McKenna netted
from close range after a header had been nodded down to him right in front of goal, and
then Baird nearly grabbed another when Crawford did well to save his free header.
Jamie Brophy must
have thought that he had levelled things for his side in the 54th minute when
he volleyed fiercely from 12 yards out, but somehow Smith managed to divert the effort
inches over the top corner. The equaliser was only delayed by a couple of minutes though
as John Weir followed up his own initial challenge
with Smith for a free kick to react the quickest and stab the ball home into the empty
net.
Muir sent a
snap-shot narrowly wide immediately following the restart as the pace of the game
continued at a very high level.
Despite a number of
“enthusiastic” challenges, referee Stevie McGeogh was keeping a tight grip on
things, although he did miss a blatant charge on Felvus which sent the winger flying to
the turf as he ran towards the ball. Queen’s skipper John Weir was then cautioned for
tripping Molloy as the home side sought to take advantage of the official’s
benevolence.
Determined to win
the game within the regulation period, St. Mirren now threw everything at the Vics who
were hemmed into there own half by a determined to win the game within the regulation
period, St. Mirren now threw everything at the Vics who were hemmed into their own half by
a series of attacks in a frenzied 10 minute spell.
Baird headed inches
wide, David Crawford saved from Muir, Martin curled a direct free kick wide before diving
to send a near post header past, before Baird shot straight at Crawford from a good
position.
Jordan White
provided some respite at the other end in the 83rd minute, but his high shot
from a tight angle was never going to seriously trouble the tall Smith. In the last
minute, McKenna nearly fluked it for Saints, but the defensive clearance which cannoned
back off his knee fell fortuitously back into David Crawford’s grateful arms.
And so into extra
time, and with several instances of cramp already having been witnessed, there was a
suspicion that Queen’s might be better placed taking into account the late
unsuccessful effort of the St. Mirren youngsters, combined with the visitors having more
options still available to them on the substitutes bench.
Certainly Queen’s
began the first period of extra time looking the stronger side, with Smith in the home
goal no longer looking as re-assured as he had been previously. Bryan Felvus had a header
cleared off the line in the 91st minute, and then spectators were treated to
the amazing sight of the big ‘keeper coming to meet a long throw from Felvus, only to
gasp in horror as the ball went over him to rebound from his front post and into the
middle of the penalty area!
However, the home
side were able to clear the danger and quickly worked their way up to the other end where
McKenna fired in a powerful shot from long range that fairly fizzed over David Crawford’s
bar.
With 12 minutes of
extra time played, Baird headed over from a good position at the back post, and it was a
miss that he would soon regret. A measured diagonal pass over the top of a tired looking
home defence from Jamie Brophy was quickly latched onto out on the left near the edge of
the Saints penalty area by David McLaughlin, and
the substitute took the ball first time in his stride to send a dipping left foot shot
over Smith from a tight angle. Talk about a goal fit to win a cup final!
But there was still
the small matter of a further 15 minutes extra time to be played. Could the Vics hold out?
Apparently the
thought of sitting back to defend a single goal lead does not enter their heads at that
level (QP 1st team please take note!), and the youngsters enthusiastically set
about putting the tie beyond the Buddies’ reach.
A great breakaway
down the left flank saw the ball squared to left wing-back Tony Livingston now occupying a
right sided role, but totally unmarked and with the goal at his mercy, he somehow
contrived to side foot the ball into Smith’s waiting arms. David McLaughlin then
volleyed straight at Smith when right in front of goal, to give Saints encouragement that
Queen’s squandering of chances might prove vital. Robert Russell was booked for a
late challenge near his own penalty area, which gave Molloy the chance to fire in a
powerful strike which David Crawford was relieved to see bounce off his chest and away to
safety.
Saints’ Molloy
had looked one of the most accomplished players afield, but his frustrations now boiled
over and he was eventually booked with five minutes remaining for repetitive fouling, when
in truth his yellow card could have come several minutes earlier.
Martyn McLaughlin
should have sewn the game up for Queen’s shortly afterwards when, with team-mates
beside him he broke clear of the Saints defence some 40 yards from goal, but his attempted
chip over the advancing Smith was the wrong option, and the ‘keeper was able to get
back in time to grab the ball in his six yard box.
Fortunately Queen’s
were just able to hang on to win a trophy that few would have though possible at the
outset of the competition given the full time nature of many of the sides in it. To do so
at all, let alone at the home ground of their opponents, is of great credit to all
concerned, and especially to coaches Keith MacKenzie, Robert Kelly and Chic McCarry who
have fashioned together a side of undoubted quality, but who also play the game in the
right manner.
Judging by the
admiring glances of many of the coaches present last night, some of them will be tempted
away to other clubs before Queen’s fans will ever see them in first team action, but
such is the nature of the game these days, and we can only hope that several will remain
to further their careers at Hampden.
For now, they
should just enjoy the moment, and what a tremendous double it would be if the Ladies side
could emulate the Vics’ success when they meet
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE : 4/5
STAR YOUNG SPIDER : John Weir (led by example making some great surging runs from midfield and scored a vital goal – what more could you ask for from your captain?)
QUEEN’S PARK VICTORIA XI : David Crawford, Sean Lennon (Steven Gibson – 91), Tony Livingston, Jamie Brophy, Alan Trouten, Sean Molloy, Robert Russell, John Weir, Jordan White (Martyn McLaughlin - 94), David Weatherston (David McLaughlin - 80), Bryan Felvus.
Subs (not used) : Steven Mathers (G/K), John McElhinney
Scorer(s) : Felvus (30), Weir (56), D. McLaughlin (104)
Booked : Weir (67 – late challenge), Russell (113 – late challenge)
ST.MIRREN U-19s : Chris Smith, Brian Gordon, Ryan McCay (Stephen McKay – 37), Graham McWilliam, Ben Gordon (Graeme Smith – 46), Craig Molloy, David Martin, Alan Muir, Scott Gemmill (Tom McHard – 98), John Baird, David McKenna.
Subs (not used) : Alexander Cowie (S/K). Brian Taggart
Scorer(s) : Molloy (8), McKenna (42)
Booked : Molloy (115 – persistent fouling)
REFEREE : Stevie McGeogh **** (* = inept, ** = poor, *** = mediocre, **** = good, ***** = excellent)