Spirited Spiders

Queen's Park v Forfar Athletic
Scottish Football League, Division Three
Saturday 8th August, kick-off 3pm
Hampden Park, Glasgow

Prior to the opening league game at Hampden Park I popped along to Newlandsfield to take in the first half of the Pollok v Benburb game in the Sectional League Cup. The Bens took a shock lead with a chip by Tony O'Neill, seemingly from an impossible angle he managed to get the ball over a tall Kris Robertson in the Pollok goal and into the net. Their lead didn't last long, David 'The Bull' Turnbull volleyed in from the edge of the area to level the scores after ten minutes. New man Steven Bonar headed in at the near post to give the 'Lok a half time advantage and my dash over to Hampden began. Pollok ran out 4-2 winners, substitute Paul McAulay bagging a brace after Stevie Waddell equalised for the Bens.

A few firsts for me for the opening game league game of the season, first time I've ever seen the mighty Forfar Athletic in action, the first time ever sitting in the comfy seats in the centre stand and the first time wearing my new glasses, I could finally see what's going on! On Boxing Day it will be my first visit to Forfar's Station Park for the famous bridies, weather permitting of course. The Loons are one of the favourites for promotion with experienced manager Dick Campbell at the helm, who's got a track record of getting out of divisions in the correct manner. Forfar currently have family connections within the team with Dick as manager with his brother assisting, and two sons Iain and Ross playing for the team, also to add to the confusion their team has two unrelated Fotheringham's. The Loons lined up in a surprising claret and amber away kit whilst the Queen's were in their traditional black and white hoops.

It didn't take long for the usual early Hampden goal, just as Queen's did in their final home league game last season against Raith Rovers and last week against Queen of the South they fell behind in the opening minutes, Martyn Fotheringham flicking in for the Loons. Queen's responded well and were rewarded before the half hour mark, youngster Giuseppe Capuano thighed the ball into the path of fellow youngster Ian Watt who turned and finished superbly at the near post. The rain was back just as it was last week, the pitch was taking a pounding, with an upcoming U2 gig it might be needing relayed again before Scotland's upcoming September fixtures against Macedonia and Holland.

The sides went in level at the interval but the Queen's were on top, a pattern that continued in the second half. The match was turned on it's head when Queen's centre-back James Brough saw red after two yellow cards, the first one for a challenge from behind and the second for an apparent elbow. The Loons went on to take full advantage and pinned the Spiders back, the Campbell brothers then combined, Ross laying it back to Iain to fire past Scott Black in the Queen's goal. Despite the one man disadvantage Queen's battled on and with eight minutes remaining they equalised again. Sub full-back Martin Ure raided down the right flank and delivered a tempting ball over Forfar 'keeper Brown, Queen's left full-back then controlled the ball in the six yard box and played it back to Capuano who guided the ball into the corner to rescue a point for the Spiders.

Dick Campbell threw on Chris Templeman and Callum Smith in an attempt to snatch the win, but all Templeman could muster up was an amusing moment for the Hampden crowd. To say he'd piled on the pounds would be an understatement, he made an attempt to 'race' clear late on but he fell on his arse, cue the fits of laughter and humorous abuse aimed in his direction. Queen's held out for a very good point and perhaps more importantly a much improved performance allowing the home support to leave with smiles on their faces for a change.

Both sides now have a week to prepare for their second league fixtures, Forfar playing hosts to Stranraer whilst Queen's make the long trek north to play Elgin City. Further match reports can be found at the official Queen's Park website, official Forfar Athletic website, BBC Sport, ESPN, The Herald and Un-official Queen's Park website. Photographs can be viewed at the Un-official Queen's Park website and the official Forfar Athletic website. Match highlights can also be viewed at qphd.tv. Thanks to Fraser Marr for the photo from queensparkspiders.co.uk.

Result: Queen's Park 2-2 Forfar Athletic

Line-ups
Queen's Park: Black, Walker, Douglas, Sinclair (Ure), Brough, Capuano, Hamilton, Holms (Green), Daly, McBride, Watt (Carroll).
Forfar Athletic: Brown, Malcolm (Gordon), Tod, Tulloch, Mowat, M. Fotheringham, Brady, K. Fotheringham, I. Campbell, R. Campbell (Templeman), Deasley (Smith).

Goalscorer(s)
Queen's Park: Ian Watt and Guiseppe Capuano
Forfar Athletic: Martyn Fotheringham and Iain Campbell

Attendance: 595

Sponsors Player of the Day: Ian Watt