Sunday 30th May 2010
Queen's Park welcomed F.C Real Manure to Lesser Hampden for their show piece friendly kicking off at 1.30pm. Queen's knew that Real would rely on their experience and their widening physique to thwart Queen's from continuing their impressive run.
Craig Johnston Queen's player/coach for this one off game set up his team incorporating 1-4-3-3 formation whilst Real awaited to determine who made it down the stairs onto the pitch to establish what formation to adopt.
Further panic welcomed the Real players as they stepped onto the park as “Oz” Lynch put fear into his own players by waving them over for a .........”WARM UP!!”
Real were very confidant as their game plan was to: supply Ref Gary Tolland with chocolate bars, eliminate the threat of Kyle Rafferty by placing the only person that Kyle wouldn’t kick ..yep his dad, David Rafferty, (David’s team mates gave a huge sigh of relief)and placed Robert Marshall in central defence as this would force Queen's to go wide as this was the only way to get by the big man’s frame!!
There was a hiccup though as a new referee was drafted in who to be honest looked as if he would qualify to play.....for the 15s.
Real started the game and were to go in front with one of the best goals of the season, yes even better than Aiden’s memorable strike a few months back.
Coach John Jackson passed to David Rafferty found Liam O’Kane out in the right. With his great left peg, he chipped a pass for coach Gerry O’Kane to run from central midfield area to clinically drill an unstoppable shot by Ryan Ritchie. Queen's were shell-shocked.
The game was held for a couple of minutes as Robert Marshall , who had excitedly ran the full length of the park to celebrate with the Real goal scorer, was given the time to make his way back over the half way line into his own half.
Real ran the show with good movement throughout and were beginning to showboat with Gary Tolland superbly “nutmegging” the oncoming Craig Johnston. Oz and Robert controlled the backline by pushing up catching Queen's offside.
Scott Mitchell outshone his son Gav by winning tackle after tackle, Jimmy Stewart gave Real width on the right and was a threat with some shots narrowly going by. David Raffa controlled the middle of the park with Gordon Johnston and Daryl Connelly causing havoc every time they had the ball. Robert Ritchie and John Jackson were flying up the flanks as they set up attack after attack.
The O’Kanes linked up well keeping good possession. Chico and George Watson were using their pace to great affect causing Queen's back line many problems.
Real went further ahead as Gordon Johnston trickery was too much as he was brought down in the penalty area. Both Gerry and “Oz” raced for the ball only for a huge shadow to form over the two, it was Robert Marshall!!! who calmly took the ball and placed it on the penalty spot.
Only needing two steps whilst confidently informing everyone that he’s never missed a penalty, coolly placed it against the inside of the post and into the goal. Great penalty Marsh!!!.
This brought the end to an exciting game Queen's player coach Craig Johnston was lost for words as his team were exhausted as Real had played some great football.
Real Coaches stated "To come to Lesser Hampden and totally outplay a very good Queen's team is commendable. Well done Real!!"
Both sets of players / coaches would like to thank Lyn Shankand, Agnes Johnston and the mums for presenting a wonderful hot buffet after the game. The “Real” players especially loved every bit of it. Thank you.
A word of gratitude also to Ian Cairns who gave up his own time to take photographs that for all was a memorable occasion, cheers Ian!!
Below are some pictures from today's game. Click on the picture to see the rest of them.
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