Spiders given a stormy reception
Weather gets the better of visitors at Gayfield Park
Arbroath ................... 2 Queen’s Park ............ 1
Murray Spooner Queen’s Park boss Gus MacPherson admits his young group of players struggled to cope with the blustery conditions at Gayfield Park.
The Spiders dominated the first half and opened the scoring through Lewis Magee inside 12 minutes.
MacPherson’s men however, suffered a blow when Gavin Swankie netted just before the break to equalise and David Gold stole the show with a winner on the hour mark.
MacPherson said: “We’re disappointed to lose the game having been on a good run in recent weeks.
“There was nothing between the two teams in the first half.
“We lost a goal on the stroke of halftime and in the second half, there was a physical element, and a strong wind which we didn’t deal with well. “We were forced into a of changes in the first six minutes of the half which had a bearing on it and it became disruptive. We then lost a goal from a set piece.
“The elements had a part to play and with an exceptionally young team, I don’t think they have ever experienced a game like that at Arbroath.
“Arbroath is always a difficult place to come and they are not in third place for nothing.”
Queen’s made a bright start to the first half and netted first thanks to a menacing corner into the box.
The home defence failed to clear David Galt’s cross and young Magee took full advantage to thrash the loose ball high into the net.
Arbroath tried to hit back straight away and Michael White had to be alert to deny an equaliser following an unhealthy scramble in his box.
The visitors then broke upfield quickly and Billy Mortimer provided the ammunition for Robbie Leitch, but he could not hit the target.
Omar Kader was denied by a block at the other end and White saved well low down from Ryan Wallace. The Spiders’ attacks were now becoming less frequent, although Mortimer did force David Hutton to keep out a longrange effort.
With the interval just a couple of minutes away, the whole afternoon changed.
The hosts won a soft free-kick, hoisted the ball into the box, and as Queen’s tried to clear, Swankie took advantage of the hesitation and smacked the ball behind White. Within the opening five minutes of the second period Conor McVey and Anton Brady were both forced off with injuries. Scott Gibson and Dominic Docherty were the replacements.
Arbroath tried to capitalise as the new look defence sought to settle down as Gold and Wallace both had opportunities blocked while Wallace failed to hit the target.
Queen were dealt another cruel blow when Gregor Fotheringham’s shot clipped the wrong side of the post and they conceded straight after.
Another corner came into the box and when this one was not immediately sent to safety, Gold pounced close in to shoot past White.
A combination of brave defending, good goalkeeping – and wasteful finishing – meant that hopes of a dramatic equaliser stayed alive for those in the Queen’s camp.
Their best chance came from Galt’s free kick which found the head of Mortimer, but the header flew over the top as Arbroath saw out the game with ease.