Queen's Park v East Fife, 11th April 2009
League Division Two, Hampden Park
Queen’s Park 3 East Fife 1
Match Report: Alan Henderson
FROM A BANG TO A WHIMPER
East Fife got off to a whirlwind start against the Spiders with a goal from McManus within sixty seconds of the kick-off, but could not build on that advantage. Two quick goals before half-time had the home side in the lead, and another not long after the break had the relegation-threatened team on easy street. By the end, the Fifers were a well-beaten side, and can have no complaints.
And yet it all started so well - repelling a Queens attack from the kick-off, a long through ball found McManus in acres of space. With the defenders appealing unsuccessfully for offside, McManus raced through and lobbed the keeper from 20 yards. A superb start.
Paul McManus scored the Fifers’ only goal in the first minute (Library Picture)
The following period was an open, even, game - Brown had to save two low drives from Cairney; whilst McManus was causing the home defence a few problems - on 21 mins, a great knock-down from him gave Linn a chance, but his effort was blocked.
As the half wore on, the Spiders took control, and it was no surprise when they equalised on 42 minutes. With a stramash in the Fife box after the second of two corners, Holmes found the corner of the net with a low drive from the edge of the box. The Fifers had barely drawn breath, when they went behind. A dangerous through ball seemed to be covered by Muir, but the ball bobbled up nicely for Cairney to bury it behind Brown.
The second half continued in the same vein, and in 54 minutes came number three - again, good pressure from Queens around the Fife box, and Harkins found space to drive the ball low into the corner from a central position. East Fife could find no way back - long balls to McManus were not working; whilst they came closest when Smart hit the crossbar from a Linn corner on 68 mins.
Even in the closing moments, the Spiders could have increased their lead with a Ronald header just over the bar; then Fagan clearing a shot off the line. In the final minute, a McManus effort was deflected past the post, via Fagan. That summed things up.
Queens Park: Cowie, Ure, Douglas, Sinclair, Brough, Ronald, Holmes, Cairney, Odenewo, Nicholas [Watt 77], Harkins. Subs not used: Crawford, Neill, Murray, Reilly.
East Fife: Brown, Nugent [Sheerin 70], Stanic, Smart, Muir, Fagan, Stewart, Makel, McManus, Linn, Cameron [Young 17]. Subs not used: McCulloch, Kerr, Crawford.
Referee: N Watters
Booked: Fagan, Smart, Young [EF] Odenewo, Brough [QP]
