Queen’s Park 2 Forfar Athletic 0 – Quarter Final spot claimed

THE SPIDERS dusted off the cobwebs to dispatch Forfar Athletic from the KDM Evolution Trophy and book a spot in Thursday’s quarter-final draw.

Sean Crighton’s side had spent more than a fortnight on the sidelines after postponed matches against Ayr United and St Johnstone, while this fixture was delayed a week owing to the recent cold nap.

But after warming-up throughout the game, the home side ended up firing late on with strikes from Josh Fowler and Liam McLeish sealing the win in the last five minutes.

Queen’s had had a brilliant chance to open the scoring after just two minutes, Roddy Macgregor inches away from tapping in during a scramble in the box.

A few minutes later, Forfar had a chance of their own but the linesman raised his flag for offside. Boosted by debutant Ricki Lamie, the Spiders defence looked comfortable throughout the first half.

Josh Fowler was next to go close at the Letherby Drive end of The city Stadium with Jamie Bradley’s low corner finding the striker but his low shot was saved by McCallum. Another chance came a couple minutes after, once again a scramble in the Forfar’s box but they managed to clear it before any of the home side could capitalise. 

There was a pause in play as Jamie Bradley received treatment after a collision just outside Milosz Sliwinski’s box. The Spiders midfielder – back in the team after a loan spell at Clyde, came off worse, but was penalised by ref Gavin Duncan for the challenge. Forfar hit the wall with their free kick and moments later, Timam Scott made a brilliant run from the halfway line but he couldn’t get his shot away on time with the Spiders still pushing for the opener.

They really should have had it near the end of the first half when a brilliant pick out from Fowler found MacGregor on the edge of the box but he lifted it over the bar.

Queen’s started the second half brightly and continued pushing for the opening goal. 

Rocco Friel crossed the ball into the box and the Forfar defender just managed to clear it. The Spiders were increasing the pressure, they have been dominating since the half started which has resulted in Forfar barely getting a touch of the ball.

As the second half went on the game started to become scrappy as the players started to tire after a longer than expected lay-off. 

Fowler was again crowded out and blocked for a shot before Sean Crighton sent on Aidan Connolly, Seb Drozd and Liam McLeish to freshen up his attacking options.

The chances continued to flow for the Spiders as Fieldson made a run into the box before seeing his shot saved. Minutes later Drozd saw his point-blank header go over after a cross was fizzed across from MacGregor. 

It wasn’t just one way traffic and Queen’s were almost picked off when Forfar sub Scott Shepherd got a shot off from outside the box, but Sliwinski got down smartly to parry the shot away from goal.  

As penalties loomed MacGregor agonisingly mishit a shot and the Forfar keeper collected.

But the goal finally came with five minuets to go as The Spiders’ probing attacks paid off.

Drozd had his shot from outside the box saved, it deflected out to Carlo Pignatiello who hit the byline and fizzed the ball brilliantly back across goal to who else but Fowler, who comfortably tucked the ball away making it his 18th goal of the season. 

The game looked beyond Forfar but the Spiders as Liam McLeish had the final touch of penalty box pinball and fired in the second of the night to send the Spiders through. 

Queen’s Park: Sliwinski, Fieldson (Shiels 74′), MacGregor, Fowler, Carrick, Waugh, Scott (Connolly 62′), Bradley (Drozd 62′), McLean (McLeish 62′), Friel (Pignatiello 82′), Lamie.

LEAH JOHNSTON, Glasgow Clyde College