So it was a very, very makeshift side that El Starko sent out to face the Lichties. Mark "Cairnsy" Cairns kept his place between the sticks while we went for the unfamiliar 5 at the back routine. Youngster Cairney made his first ever start at right back with Canning on the left. In the middle was a back three of Mickey Dunlop, captain Paul Ronald and Damiano Agostini. In the middle was the tried and tested trio of Quinn, Ketts and Fez with Dunn and Weatherston up top.
The early sparring produced little chances but one man who was clearly up to the unfamiliar task he had been given was Ronaldo. The centre forward turned centre half for the day produced two or three magnificent crunching challenges putting jug eared ex Spider Willie Martin and star of Cillit Bang adverts Bryan "Barry" Scott in their respective places.
Cairnsy had to make a smart save from the pacy Scott before Queen's took the lead against the run of play. Canning played a poor, poor low free kick towards the near post and Mick Dunlop slid towards the ball and directed the spherical object known as the football into the net to cue typically manic Mickey D celebrations. His 1st goal of the season.
The first half prouduced little more action actually but Cairns had to be alert to tip Smith's free kick over the crossbar from 30 yards. Damiano Agostini then completely ripped the piss out of Willie Martin by dummying left and taking the ball right instead to leave a typically bad expression on Martin's perenially sour face.
Before the half ended however off came Robert Dunn through a hamstring knock and he was replaced by Richard Bowers.
The second half was one in which Queen's Park dominated and Mick Dunlop forced a good save from Peat after he headed Big Quinn's knockdown towards goals. Two goals for Mickey D? Too much surely!!!!
Ferry flashed a good effort across goal and it shaved the post before Weatherston hit the post after shrugging off Smith with a good run. Ronald somehow scooped one over from three yards after Canning's typically dangerous corner kick and then after some great work from himself and Weatherston, Bowers forced an extremely smart stop out of Peat.
Bryan Scott saw red for a kick on Big D near the end while the big arsehole that is Robbie Raeside evaded the same punishment for an attempted elbow swung towards Bowers as the pacy striker raced towards the incident.
A great victory which makes you proud to be a Spider, MON THE QP!
QUEEN'S PARK: Mark Cairns, Paul Cairney, Mick Dunlop, Paul Ronald, Damiano Agostini, Steven Canning, Stuart Kettlewell (Tam Murray), Tony Quinn, Robert Dunn (Richard Bowers), David Weatherston, Mark Ferry
SUBS NOT USED: David Crawford, Chris Colquhoun, Jonny Whelan
GOALSCORER(S): Mick Dunlop (23)
REFEREE: Alan Boyd
ATTENDANCE: 475
MAN OF THE MATCH: Paul Ronald