Click on link for report.
 
Queens 1 Stenhousemuir 0 9/5/98
Queens 3 Stranaer 2 25/4/98
Queens 0 Livingston 1 11/4/98
Queens 1 East Fife 4 5/4/98
Queens 1 Livingston 1 25/3/98
Queens 2 Inverness 0 21/3/98
Queens 1 Brechin 1 14/3/98
Queens 5 Forfar 1 7/3/98
Queens P Livingston P 28/2/98
Queens 0 Clydebank 0 24/2/98
Queens 5 East Fife 1 15/2/98 
Queens 0 Clyde 0 7/2/98
Queens 1 Brechin 1 3/2/98
Queens 1 Inverness 0 31/1/98
Queens 1 Stirling 3 24/1/98
Queens 0 Stenhousemuir 1 20/1/98
Queens 4 Arbroath 0 12/1/98
Queens 1 Arbroath 1 6/1/98
Queens P Arbroath P 3/1/98
Queens 4 Stranaer 3 27/12/97
Queens 2 East Fife 1 20/12/97
Queens 0 Brechin 0 22/11/97
Queens 1 Livingston 0 8/11/97
Queens 0 Clydebank 4 5/11/97
Queens 0 Falkirk 1 2/11/97
 

Saturday, 9th May, 1998
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 1,260
Queens 1 Stenhousemuir 0
Bryce (7)
 

So the final match of the season has come and gone as out we went with a whimper. Apparently, so I was told, Tam Bryce needed six goals to make it 100 for Queens and he nearly got the first of these early on when he cracked a shot from the edge of the box against the underside of the bar. Steny had already had a couple of chances before this but a combination of good keeping and poor finishing kept them out. Then in seven minutes, Tam went charging through the middle before cutting by a couple of defenders and tucking the ball into the corner. From then on it became a laugh for the fans as Steny desperately tried to stay up but their poor finishing and bad luck continued as they hit the bar at least twice (who was counting?). Queens received a standing ovation from the fans at the end who were happy that we had at least managed to relegate somebody else!

In the program Rowan reckoned finishing 4th was an improvement because we were fifth last year. I say that this was the weakest Second Division for years and we, along with Clydebank early on, were by far the best team in the league and should have gone up. Rowan also says 'If anyone out there can honestly say that the past season has been unsuccessful they should go away and support something else as their views on success and progression are grossly outweighed by the vast majority'. I say why doesn't Rowan go and manage someone who he supports, like Morton.

By the way, did you notice the two relegated teams are the ones without WEB pages? An Omen!

Andy Aitken - Superb in a more central role.

Saturday, 25th April, 1998
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 1,615
Queens 3         Stranaer 2
Bryce (2, 1 pen)
Payne
 

Second last home game of the season. Promotion chances gone. Nothing to play for. So why did we get our biggest league crowd of the season? Because we had a chance to stop the Clay Holer's from get promotion. They may be over seventy miles away but they are still our biggest rivals and we still like to show them who's boss. Also, the Clay Holer's had the cheek to bring more fans with them to Palmerston than they get at home games. Still, I suppose Dumfries is easier for them to get to from their farms, with there being roads and everything over here!

The first half was another disaster for Queens. They started of with what looked like a 5-5-0 formation with two of Bryce, Leslie or Irving playing up front in the absence of Mallan ( in dispute with the management) and Eadie (Don't Know). By the way, Queens had the advantage of having Wiggy's father, John Rowbottom, as referee (sorry to anyone who doesn't get this in joke). However, we didn't get time to work out the formation as within the first couple of minutes Payne and Thomson banged heads and both had to go of for treatment. Payne came back a few minutes later but Thomson had to be replaced by McAllister. McAllister himself was then substituted by Cleeland after about half an hour. The only goal of the first half came again after Queens failed to deal with a corner and Stranaer managed to force the ball home. The Stranaer fans showed their hands too early though as they revealed themselves in our stand and got the Queens support behind the team. Stranaer were the better team by a long way in the first half but they could best be described as efficient, they were not the best team I have seen this season.

The second half was a different story. Queens, who had not looked like they were capable of scoring in the first half, equalised after a nice move which ended with Wiggy being brought down in the box while in a fairly harmless position and Tam Bryce tucked the penalty away to send the Queens fans wild. However, minutes later it was the Irish who were celebrating again after they converted a very soft penalty. At this point, Rowan finally made a good move and brought on the Donegal Diamond, Dennis Boyle. Young Dennis totally turned the game on its head as Queens got right on top. He beat two players brilliantly down the left wing before sending in a perfect cross for Dean Payne to score his first goal for the Queens. Dennis and Steven Leslie both came close after this but it was Tam who won the game for us with three minutes to go when he lobbed a free kick from the edge of the box over the wall, the keeper and the defender on the line to give us the win. At the end, you would have thought we had just won the league as we celebrated put the Clay Holer's back in their place.

Man of the Match - The Donegal Diamond, Dennis Boyle.

Saturday, 11th April, 1998
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 1,210
Queens 0  Livingston 1

After a performance like this there can be only one question to be asked. Who the hell are Russell Athletic! This is the name everyone in the Livingston dug out had on the back of their tracksuits. I know this cause I was in the dug out and seen more of the back of their heads as I did of the game as they refused to sit down. This led to a fair bit of banter between Leishman and the crowd and Leishman ended up loosing it and swearing at the crowd. Still, at the end of the day I would swap a manager who shows some enthusiasm for his team than someone who hides in the dugout and laughs at his own fans. Rowan has made it clear he loves Morton, so why doesn't he go there. West Sound report that he has signed a new long term contract. Lets hope not. The word on the terraces is that the directors are split 2-2 as to whether they want to keep him.

You want to know about the game? I don't want to talk about it. Livingston were terrible and beat us comfortably thanks to a deflected shot after Queens had yet again failed to clear a cross properly. Can't remember Queens troubling their keeper. I have readers of this page in Australia. It was a windy, cold day today and I envy you all cause you won't be tempted to go back next week! 

Sunday, 5th April, 1998
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 1,276
Queens 1     East Fife 4
McKeown 63   Johnston 7
             Dyer 12
             Prytz 14
             Munro 51
 

Queens big Sunday football experiment. Could we go up against two English Cup Semi-Finals and a Celtic Rangers match and still get a crowd? The answer seemed surprisingly to be it made no difference. We added about 70 to the gate.

As for the game, what a disaster. By far the worst performance I've seen this season and surely our chances of promotion are now gone. All the damage was done in the first 14 minutes. First goal in seven minutes when the had three players lining up to put away a cross from the right as the Queens defence disappeared. The second goal was a disaster. Their wee number 7, who looked to have the legs of the Queens defence early on, got to the bye line. unfortunately for him, he also had the legs of his own team, and had no one to cross to and was going nowhere. However, when it looked like he could simply have shepherded him into touch, Jim Thomson decided to give them a corner. From Prytz's corner the ball was allowed to go across the six yard box at head high unchallenged and the aforementioned WEE number 7 was all on his own at the back post to head home. With less than fifteen minutes gone it was three. This time Mathieson came to punch a left wing cross clear and actually didn't do too badly. However, the ball broke to one of their players at the edge of the box and he hit a shot which was going to hit the corner flag until Robert Prytz, who by this stage was a red as a beetroot (I thought he was a Swede?) brilliantly back heeled the ball on the volley high past Mathieson. Even the Queens fans had to applaud one of the best goals seen at Palmerston for a long time. After this there was a lot of huffing and puffing by Queens to try to get back into the game but East Fife where well in control.

In the second half, the ref. took some of the pressure of Queens by displaying a total lack of knowledge for the rules and turning the fans anger from the team to himself. Mathieson went to kick the ball clear in the 6 seconds he is now allowed. This new six second rule was also accompanied by a rule that the keeper could not be challenged. However, as he went to kick it, one of their forwards came in from behind (also illegal), knocked the ball away and put it in the net. To everyone's amazement, the ref. allowed the goal. Of course, after this, every time the East Fife keeper got the ball, Queens tried to kick it out of his hands and of course, every time the ref. gave a free kick. Queens did eventually manage to pull one back when Des score with a RIGHT foot drive into the top corner but it was all too little too late. The only thing the game lacked was a sending off so we started to encourage Cleeland but he failed to deliver.

And so Queens, who every manager in the league seem to think are the best team, drop out of the promotion chase. Why? Unfortunately, I can see only one reason and that is Rowan Alexander. Yet again he was hiding the dugout when the going got tough. I think Queens biggest problem is that they change managers every year but if Rowan doesn't do something to make himself more popular with the fans, like talk to them, then he is on his way out.

Robert Prytz - By the way, is he the first player who has played both in the Italian first division and at Palmerston?

Queens Man of the Match - You must be joking, not one of them deserves this award although Des and Stevie did seem to be trying harder than the rest, and Leslie when he came on.

Wednesday, 25th March, 1998
Armondale Stadium, Livingston
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 1,093
Queens 1         Livingston 1
Watson  o.g. 63  Callaghan 53

Having travelled almost to Livingston a few Saturdays ago and been all set to leave a couple of Tuesdays ago, only for Livingston to chicken out both times, I didn't bother tonight.

So Queens go third, five behind Livingston and six behind Clydebank but one in front of Stranaer, everybody in the league having played the same number of games. There is now a six point gap from Queens to the fifth place team so it looks like it is between these four.

Saturday, 21st March, 1998
Inverness
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 1,989
Queens 32    Inverness 0
Bryce 13,77 
Mallan 85

Was I there? Was I hell! Tried to follow the action on Ceefax but just got very confused. As far as I know this was the final outcome. Ceefax showed this at first then Mallan's goal disappeared and it went back to two nil. The news reported it as 3-0 but ITV teletex said 2-0. Finally the Border Teletex report made it 3-0 and Sky News made it 3-0 so I'll take this as correct.

Right, hopefully this is my last word on this subject. The Sunday papers say the score was 2-0, Mallan's goal having been disallowed. Let's hope that's an end to it!

Saturday, 14th March, 1998
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 1,216
Queens 1     Brechin 1
Mallan 1
 

Queens took the lead in the first minute, dominated the whole game, and got a 1-1 draw. A very frustrating day as Queens, particularly in the first half, played some of their best football of the season but for various reasons, including bad luck, a poor second half and a poor referee and linesman, who between them chalked of FIVE Queens goals, only took one point.

It looked like it would be so different as Queens took a first minute lead. Mallan challenged old Queens "favourite" Jim Butterfingers in the Brechin goal for a cross from the right to the back post. Old Butters was exactly as we remembered him as he dropped the ball at his feet and the ball trickled in of what seemed to be a combination of Mallan's boot and a defender's head as he fell on the ball. At the time we did not realise the significance of this incident but from then on the ref. gave Butters a free kick every time he dropped the ball (and there were a few). The first chalked of goal came when Queens were awarded a corner. Bryce went to take it from the right but the ref. decided it should be from the left. As Bryce tried to send the ball over to the left wing it ended up in the net! OK, so this was probably the least controversial decision of the day. Soon after Butters once more dropped the ball which was despatched into the net only for the ref. to award a free kick. Then Queens got clear on the left and Townsley turned the cross in only to have it chalked of for a very dodgy offside. The third disallowed goal of the half was possibly the most contentious as Butters got nowhere near a left wing cross and Mallan headed into the open net, only for the ref. to chalk it of, presumably for a foul by Payne who had got himself well forward although it was difficult to understand why.

So Queens went in 1-0 up having played some of their best football of the season to hear "Super Ro's" inspirational team talk and it had the usual effect as Queens went to pieces in the second half. Queens still had their chances, notably when Mallan went it alone only to see his shot from the edge of the box hit the post and also when he set Bryce up with a sitter about six yards out which Tam skied over the bar left footed. We also had another goal chalked of as we broke beautifully down the right to get three players in behind their defence. However, as the ball was centred to Bryce to turn the ball in he was given off side. If he was offside it was extremely poor play as he had no need to be anywhere near off side. Alexander confounded his half time team talk by bringing on Andy Aitken for a midfielder and going to five at the back. Why! We also had the spectacle of Alexander standing miming instructions to Mallan, obviously Mallan hadn't a clue what he was on about as he stood looking bewildered in the centre circle. Queens never really looked under pressure but it was one of those games when everybody in the ground just new that Brechin were going to equalise and it came as no surprise when their sub, who I am glad wasn't on from the start, rounded Mathieson and squeezed the ball home from an impossible angle to equalise

And so a day when we expected to move into second ended with us in fourth as the Clay Hollers managed somehow to scramble above us and Livingston beat Clydebank. As I write this Livingston have also won their game in hand, 2-0 away to Brechin, to start sneaking away again, although Clydebank have lost again, 3-0 at home to East Fife. 

The sponsors gave it to Jim Thomson, but I would go for Mallan for his pure effort and on a luckier day he would have scored five and set up another five. I also thought Dean Payne had his best game yet. And their number 7 was one of the best players I have seen this season.

Saturday, 7th March, 1998
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 1,209
Queens 5         Forfar 1
Eadie 23, 56     McLauchlan 32
Townsley pen, 36
Cleeland 62
Mallan 84
 

Queens stormed back into control in the second division title race with what I can best describe as an efficient performance against Forfar. The 5-1 score line flatters the South but they did deserve to win.

The highlight early on was a Bryce miss after he had found some space on the right of the box but hit a woeful shot. Our Tam doesn't look like he is enjoying life up front but he still produced some good touches. The first goal came when Bryce tried a pass to Townsley on the right side of the box which was deflected. As I shouted for the big man to let it run for a corner he produced his first decent touch of the game and sent over an inch perfect cross for Eadie who had acres of space and time to pick his spot with a nice sidefooted shot. Forfar equalised when they sprang the Queens offside trap and Rowe seemed to stand back to allow their forward through to chip over Mathieson. Queens regained the lead when Forfar needlessly handled the ball in the box. As the Queens fans celebrated they suddenly remembered how crap we are at penalties. Our confidence levels didn't improve any as the ball was handed to the pony tailed one, Derek Townsley. However, big Digsey silenced his critics as he coolly slotted the ball low to the keepers right hand side. So Queens went in in front at half time after a fairly dour and uninspiring first half.

The second half saw Queens take the game to Forfar and squander a number of chances before a nice Bryce run led to McKeown crossing for the excellent Eadie to head home his second. Minutes later Cleeland, who I had not been impressed with, seemed to be running into a dead end until a gap opened on the edge of the box and he curled a beauty with his left foot into the corner. Eadie was replaced by Mallan soon after as he started to tire after his good work and received a standing ovation for his efforts. He was rightly voted the sponsors Man of the Match. Mallan ended his dry spell soon after following a cunning move from Townsley. He twice gave the ball away to pull the Forfar players out of position before winning it back and sending Bryce away on the left. He centred to Mallan who had an eternity to pick his spot. Queens controlled the second half brilliantly, led yet again by Conner, as they passed the ball about on the heavy pitch and didn't really give Forfar a look in. There was a strange incident when it appeared a packet of cigarettes was passed on for Rowe. Anybody know what it actually was?

Who else but Ken Eadie, Eadie, Eadie.

Saturday, 28th February, 1998
Armondale Stadium, Livingston
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance:
Queens P   Livingston P
 

I'm P****d off! Have just driven to a farm 15 miles from Livingston in lovely spring like weather only to find out the game was off.

I was 15 miles from Livingston, the weather was fine, listing to Sportsound at half past one and they told me the game was off. Couldn't bloody believe it!

Drove home through the snow storm which must have been following me and was back by three o'clock. It's snowing here now but we could have played a game.

Tuesday, 24th February, 1998
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 1,148
Queens 0   Clydebank 0
 

The Irish are coming! The league leaders came to Palmerston and I considered this good enough reason to cancel my usual Tuesday night appointment to go along.

The Dubliners were the best second division team I have seen this season, particularly in the first half when their nippy forwards and midfield controlled much of the game. Mind you they were helped by Queens who couldn't put a pass together. In an amazing coincidence Queens had two new players, both called Trialist and they also had a new player called Trialist! Mind you, their guy bore a striking resemblance to Chick Charnley!

For the first half hour their forwards gave Queens the run-around and their number eight should really have scored a couple. First Mathieson made a great save and then he missed a sitter from about six yards. Only Andy Aitken looked capable of stopping them. Queens did come back into it in the last fifteen minutes possession wise but still couldn't create a real chance.

The second half was a different story with Queens dominating but Clydebank still looking dangerous on the break. The referee, Mr Shamus O'Flatery, did seem to favour his Irish cousins, giving them everything. Queens had three good chances in the second half, Cleeland headed down after a good move and sub Mallan nearly managed to collect a rebound as the keeper tried to gather, Townsley and Mallan tried to walk the ball in but for some reason walked it wide and Conner, who final got a mention in the program, hit a beauty from the edge of the box against the inside of the post.

The last fifteen minutes was some of the best end to end stuff seen at Palmerston for a long time as Queens through on all three forwards on the bench and went for it. McCall, who named himself as a sub, resisted the temptation to come on and be the hero in front of all his friends. Oh, I forgot, he hasn't got any.

Overall, I think a draw was a good result but it leaves Saturday's game against Livingston as a Do or Die as far as promotion is concerned.

As for the two trialists, I'm afraid I wasn't over impressed with either of them although the forward hardly got a touch after coming on as sub.

Andy Aitken for his first half performance.

Sunday, 15th February, 1998
Bay View, Methil
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 769
Queens 5    East Fife 1
Eadie 35    Moffat 21
McKeown 46
Townsley 63
Petit 79
Aitken 86
 

Queens Team: Mathieson, Trialist, Aitken, Rowe, Love, Conner, Townsley, Bryce, Mallan, Eadie, McKeown.

Saturday, 7th February, 1998
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 1,230
Queens 0 Clyde 0

The slide continues. With Queens now four points behind Livingston and played two more games it looks like promotion is now beyond us. And this had to be one of the worst games, football wise, for a long time. For excitement, however, all it lacked where goals.

It looked on the cards quite early that this wasn't going Queens day as chance after chance was missed and their keeper was having a stormer. I remember thinking at half time Queens should have had three at least but for the life of me I can only remember one. The reason for my memory loss will become clear. The one chance I do remember came from a Queens corner when the Clyde defence, with little help from any Queens forwards, almost managed to contrive an own goal, but their keeper made one of his many great saves. Clyde also hit the bar in the first half but for some reason, even at that moment, I never thought they were going to score. The game however exploded into life just before half time when their number 10, I think, having been booked a few minutes earlier, tried to stamp on Cleeland, playing at right back, right in front of the dug out and to the disgust of their management was sent off. I have to say that this sending off was, in my opinion, deserved.

The second half had just started when Cleeland lost it after not being given a decision and dived in with a wild challenge. It was worth a booking but a sending off was a bit harsh. A couple of minutes latter Queens were a man up again when their number 5, who had already been booked, tried to intercept a through ball. The ball deflected up onto his hand and he too was sent off. This time the Clyde bench were right to be upset. The ref. continued after this to give Queens their fair share of decisions but they could not take advantage of it. I was down in the enclosure beside the Clyde bench and to their credit they did maintain their sense of humour and we had a fair bit of good natured banter with them.

Queens continued to huff and puff but the forwards were right of form and missed a hatful of chances without ever coming close to scoring. The best chance of the second half again came with no Queens forwards in sight as one of their players hit his own post. And I do mean that this was the best chance of the half as even when Queens were awarded a penalty no one wanted to take it and it came as no surprise that the keeper easily saved Bryce's effort.

Queens almost got the result their performance deserved when late on a Clyde corner came of Townsley to their number four to head home but the ref. gave it as off side. I didn't think it was.

In the end it was the impressively large Clyde support who went home the happier. They had in the stand a guy with the loudest voice in the world who gave his side plenty of stick. Worryingly for their manager, it sounded like he was in the directors box! Incidentally, Rowan started of in the directors box but lasted about 10 mins. before coming down to the dug out.

The funniest moment of the match came when Weir tried to hammer the ball against the advertising boards but missed and hit a spectator about 5 yards away with a cracker of a shot.

Their keeper by miles. For Queens? There wasn't one! Conner probably got the highest fail mark, again, and to the guy in the crowd who criticised him for missing tackles, at least he was putting tackles in. 

Tuesday, 3rd February, 1998
Brechin
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 306
Queens 1    Brechin 1
Townsley 87 Black 45

Saturday, 31st January, 1998
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance:1,322
Queens 1 Inverness Caley 0
Weir 11

Did I fall asleep last week and forget to go home? This was an exact carbon copy of last week, Queens domination of the first half and then hammered in the second half. The difference this week was that Inverness weren't as good as I was expecting and couldn't take advantage.

Queens should have been one up early on when Eadie put Mallan through with all day to pick his spot. For some reason he picked the back of the terrace. Queens did however score soon after, after good work down the left between Mark Weir and Tommy Bryce left young Mark clear to fire in a cross. To be honest, it wasn't a very good cross, hit low and hard to the near post with not a Queens striker in sight, but none where needed as their keeper decided to grab the glory and turn it in to his own net. Queens got a free kick on the edge of the box when Mallan was shamelessly thumped from behind by their number six and we received an indication of what the ref. was going to be like for the rest of the game when he didn't get booked. Bryce's free kick flicked of the top of the wall onto the crossbar, and Thomson's header from the rebound was cleared of the line. Inverness then started to come back into the game and they too had a shot of the bar with the follow being brilliantly cleared of the line by Rowe (I think).

Yet again the second half was a totally different story. Its lucky teams don't send spies to Palmerston as opposition managers seem to have us sussed by half time and can stop us playing. Again it seemed that the simply packed the midfield to stop us playing to great success. On the negative side for them it also negated the threat of their most dangerous player, Sandy 'Scared to Bend Over in the Shower' Robertson. They only had two real chances in the half one from a great run by their number seven, only to be stopped well by Mathieson, who still looked a bit shaky today, and the other when their number 8 got into almost exactly the same position as Mallan in the first half but managed to finish even worse. At least on this occasion Alexander had the sense to get Townsley off when the going got tough, putting Kennedy on at right back and Leslie into midfield. He then sent on Cleeland for Eadie and moved Bryce, who had been playing further forward all day, up front. This gave Queens more dig in midfield and enabled them to hang on.

The referee's performance was perfectly summarised in a five minute spell near the end. First Inverness brought on Duncan Shearer and Alexi Mikilichenco (I think? (JOKE)) and Shearer entered the field of play without permission. He was brought back to the touch line to have his studs checked but did not receive a booking which I'm sure the rules say he should have, despite my prompts to the ref. Then their number 14 tried to swap shirts with David Kennedy with 15 mins. still to go, which the ref. decided wasn't a free kick and finally he decided it was OK for their player to control the ball with his entire right arm.

 So Queens held out this week for the win and with Livingston losing moved closer to the promotion zone. And there were no signs of any Inverness players entertaining their fans with his keepy upy skills!

 MAN OF THE MATCH

George Rowe

Saturday, 24th January, 1998
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Scottish Cup, Round 3
Attendance: 2,551
Queens 1 Stirling Albion 3
Weir

Our biggest crowd of the season and we got absolutely gubbed! Yet in the first half Queens were the slightly better team and should really have gone in a couple up.

Queens scored first when Townsley broke free down the left and his cut back was turned in by Mark Weir after a brief scramble.

Three minutes later Townsley hit a good shot from the edge of the area which the keeper did well to hold. However, as Degsy and his fellow midfielders stood around feeling sorry for themselves, Stirling broke quickly up the field. The Queens defence wasted at least three chances to clear the ball before setting up nicely for their number 7 to put the ball into an empty net.

 The second half was a totally different story. We were totally hammered. Townsley and Bryce disappeared again when the going got tough and left Connor to do all the midfield work and Stirling took full advantage.

 Queens did look dangerous with Mallan's pace up front but Eadie was having one of his worst games yet and missed a couple of good chances. The best chance was probably when Queens went through 3 on 1 but Mallan failed to take advantage.

 Stirling scored with a long range goal which I would normally have expected Mathieson, who didn't look comfortable all afternoon, to save and then when Queens gifted them another goal when a backpass was too short and their number 7 nipped in for his second goal. About two minutes latter Mathieson came out of his goal to intercept the backpass!!!!!!!

 Queens need to improve, particularly in midfield, if they hope to do anything once we get promoted to the first division:). Steven Leslie did well defensively at right back but doesn't provide the width of Kennedy in attacking situations while Mark Weir, like Jamie McAllister before him, did his best but needs time to improve. Much as I hate to admit it, we miss Des McKeown out there.

Tuesday, 20th January, 1998
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 1,460
Queens 0 Stenhousemuir 1

Can't make it on Tuesdays, fortunately. Bubble burst. My sources tell me we deserved to loose and that Mathieson had a bad game. Don't know anything else.

Monday, 12th January, 1998
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Scottish Cup, Round 2
Attendance: 2,187
Queens 4        Arbroath 0
Eadie 8
Bryce 25
Mallan 40
Townsley 75 pen

Had to queue to get into Palmerston! Game delayed to allow the crowd in! Why? Cause we expected to see a slaughtering! And we weren't disappointed. Queens where in a different class from the third division leaders and won easily.

First goal, nice little midfield move, Townsley pass, Eadie goal.

Second goal, Arbroath give away, Bryce through unchallenged, shot from edge of area.

Third goal, Bryce through on keeper, square to Mallan for open goal.

Many more chances in first half, brilliant save by their keeper from Townsley.

 Second half went down to talk to G. in the enclosure where he stands every week. Don't know why. Crap view. Didn't miss much though as Queens eased of to stroll through to the next round. Light relief after Townsley scored penalty, ran back to half way line celebrating, turned to prepare for kick off only to realise that the bench had been trying to get his attention to bring him of.

 Bring on the Stirling!!!!

Tuesday, 6th January, 1998
Somewhere in darkest Arbroath
Scottish Cup, Round 2
Attendance: 767
Queens 1   Arbroath 1
McAllister

If I didn't go on Saturday, do you really think I would go on a Tuesday night. Norman Blount kindly laid on a free bus for the fans to make up for Saturday.

 The reports in the papers say that Queens should have won by a barrow load and their boss was quoted as saying Queens where a much better team but he was proud of his sides efforts. Funny how many managers think we're the best team in the world!

Saturday, 3rd January, 1998
Somewhere in darkest Arbroath
Scottish Cup, Round 2
Queens v Arbroath
POSTPONED

According to the papers about 300 Queens fans travelled to Arbroath and staged a protest when the game was postponed 25 mins................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. before kick-off.

 I wasn't one of them!

Saturday, 27th December, 1997
Stairs Park, Stranaer
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 878
Queens 4      Stranaer 3
Bryce 40 pen  Black 19
Eadie 45      McCaffrey 53
Mallan 73,81  Knox 87

If you think I'm going to the clay hole on the Saturday between Christmas and New Year you are so wrong. Judging by the size of the crowd quite a few Queens fans must have though.

Saturday, 20th December, 1997
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 1,013
Queens 2   East Fife 1
Eadie 25   Moffat 68 (pen)
Mallan 85 

10 man Queens beat 12 man East Fife 2-1. At least, if the stand is to be believed, the referee should have been wearing an East Fife top. Personally, I thought Thomson's first booking was a bit soft but having been booked he had to go for the second one. I couldn't really see the penalty from where I was but if the ball did strike Aitken's arm 9 refs. out of 10 would have given it.

 I take back what I said about Robert Conner after his first game. I had him down as man of the match as in the first half he passed the ball beautifully, while in the second half he led the ten man effort valiantly.

 I also though for the first time that Ken Eadie played well although judging by the voice of the stand I don't think many people would agree with me. I know he missed a couple of sitters but he was constantly making runs of the defenders shoulders, only to find Tommy Bryce, who I had thought had the worst game I have seen of him, failing to deliver the pass.

 I was also very disappointed with Derek Townsley who hardly played a good pass all day and tired badly before being substituted.

 I have only recently started going back to watch the Queens and I cannot understand how they have such a poor defensive record. They seem well organised at the back, dropping into a flat back 5 whenever the opposition get possession and look very solid.

 Football wise it was quite a boring first half, the only highlight being Queen's goal. Conner played a great pass to overlapping Kennedy. His first cross was blocked but the ball came back to him. This seemed to catch the East Fife defence out and he was left with plenty of time to pick out Eadie who had taken up a great position at the back post to head home.

 10 man Queens had lots more chances in the second half. Mallan sent in a great cross from the left to leave Eadie a free header from 8 yards which he sent wide when he should have scored.

 Eadie finally got the pass his runs deserved to take him clear of the defence. As he tried to round the keeper he lost control and ended up skying the ball over the bar.

 Mallan then struggled free on the right and sent a cross over to the unmarked Bryce at the back post. As Tommy moved in for the glory he fell flat on his face and the ball sailed over him.

 Finally, Mallan took matters into his own hands to cut inside from the left wing and fire a beautiful low drive into the bottom corner.

 I was a bit disappointed with this weeks pre match pie bought in the main stand.

 It was just as well East Fife brought their 14 fans or the attendance would have dropped below the thousand mark for the first time this season.

Saturday,22nd November, 1997
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 1,356
Queens 0 Brechin 0

The coldest day of the year so far, if not the coldest day ever. I was suffering with the worst cold in history. My car wouldn't start. I didn't go.

LUCKY ESCAPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By all accounts one of the worst games ever.

Read in the paper that Craig Brown, the Scotland Manager, was there. Stevie Mallan for Scotland? Watch this space.

 Talking of Craig Brown, a funny story. I once worked with a girl who told me her boyfriend's father was a football manager. When I asked her who he managed she replied 'He used to manage Clyde.'. I knew her boyfriend's name was Brown so I asked if she meant Craig Brown, who was then Scotland's assistant manager (or whatever he was calling himself at the time, Director of Coaching or something). Anyway, this girl obviously believed being manager of Clyde was more important than being manager of Scotland. Was she right?

Saturday,8th November, 1997
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 1,210
Queens 1 Livingston 0
Bryce

Queens whole team was suspended after Wednesday night (nearly!) so there where a few changes for the visit of the league leaders, managed by our old foe from his Dunfermline days, Jim 'The Hairy Poet' Leishman.

 Former Aberdeen and Scotland Superstar Robert Conner played on the left side of midfield having been signed from Goldilee Geriactics. Most players, as they get older, develop a more cultured style, but Bob seems to have done the opposite. I remember him slowing the game down and spreading the ball about the park but on Saturday it was run around like a headless chicken and punt the ball the way you're facing stuff.

 There was also a new number 9, don't know his name, who ran his heart out for the team, only to be criticised from the stand for getting out of position.

 Queens were also forced to hand the number 7 jersey to the young leukaemia victim who was supposed to be the mascot and play him in the centre of midfield. Still, at least he didn't look as ridiculous as their peroxide blonde number 10.

Tom Bryce scored with a back post header just before half time from a long punt across the pitch from the left back.

Looked like we should have had a penalty in the second half when Craig Flannigan was pulled back.

Jim Leishman was having a bit of banter with the fans in the stand and received a talking to from the referee midway through the second half.

 Davie Mathieson had a great save when the peroxide blonde was clean through and was incredibly lucky when a header hit his post and he grabbed it as it ran along the line.

 The Livingston fans trying to fit Livingston into a song. They usually ended up calling themselves Livy and so saved the Queens fans from having to make up any insults.

 The return of the feet stamping stand.

 The biggest disappointment for me came when Livingston brought on Steve Maskrey, the former Queens traitor, and the Queens fans failed to give him the welcome he deserved (booooooooo!!).

Wednesday, 5th November, 1997
Boghead Park, Dumbarton
Scottish League, Division 2
Attendance: 500
Clydebank 4            Queens 0
Brown (4)              Mallan (Sent Off 20)
Murdoch (pen 49)       Townsley (Sent Off 34)
Miller
Kaldjob (85)
Nichols (Sent Off 34)

Don't know, wasn't there.

Saturday, 2nd November, 1997
Fir Park, Motherwell
1997 League Challenge Cup Final
Attendance: 9,735
Queens 0   Falkirk 1
           Hagen 65

Queens big day out and did we enjoy ourselves!!

 Nearly every pub in the town had a bus at the game as over 5,000 Doonhamers crammed into two stands at Motherwell, determined to have a good time.

 Not only did we help Motherwell to sell a record number of programs, there were also many complaints to be heard when the pie shops simply couldn't cope with the demand and ran out by half time!

 Queens did themselves proud on the pitch, putting up a great display, although I did not think that Falkirk's defence where ever really too troubled. Having said that though, Derek Townsley did miss a sitter near the end that would have taken us into a deserved period of extra time. Wouldn't it have been great to have had a penalty shoot out at the Davie Cooper Stand end of the ground, which was packed with Queen's fans!

 Falkirk won the game with a goal after 65 minutes when Kevin McAllister, who looked dangerous all afternoon, got free down the right and sent in a low cross with David Hagen turned back across the flying Mathieson into the other corner.

 Falkirk did have more clear cut chances than Queens, although we had more of the game, but David Mathieson was brilliant for Queens in keeping them out, one save from a corner in the second half was pure class.

 Jim Thomson at centre half had a great game, as did Derek Townsley in midfield, despite his late miss, but the man of the match award deservedly went to 38 year old Tommy Bryce, who took up brilliant positions through out the game. Unfortunately, he doesn't quite have the pace any more to punish the opposition but had some of his forward mates been a bit quicker he could have pulled the Falkirk defence to pieces.

 The reaction of the Queens fans after the match was brilliant, staying on to cheer BOTH TEAMS on their laps of honour and despite being the loosing team, Queens players were last of the pitch and their fans were last to leave.

Here's to many more days like this.

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