Last night a mainly Under 18 Queen's Park squad travelled to Millburn Park, Alexandria to mark the 150th birthday of Vale of Leven Football.
Before the game Queen’s Park’s President, David Hunter, handed a framed painting of the two teams playing against each other at Hampden Park in 1882 to Vale of Leven President Fergus McLellan.
The painting was from the 1st round of the Glasgow Merchants Cup and interestingly involved the only two team who had won the Scottish Cup since it was first played for in season 1873-74. Playing for Queen’s Park that day included Andrew Watson and Charles Campbell.
A very warm and sunny evening greeted the two sides to the lush and large playing surface of Millburn Park. The large crowd were in shirt sleeves, clearly enjoying the summer conditions.
Vale of Level started the game on the front foot. They pushed the young Spiders back as they looked to open the scoring.
After about 10 minutes Queen’s started to take charge of the game. They concentrated on keeping possession and moved the ball around the Vale side looking for gaps to exploit. Kane Thomson and Timam Scott were getting a lot of success down the right wing at this time.
Vale of Leven looked dangerous on the break with Liam Russell having to look sharp in the 18th minute to push a low shot to his right, away from danger.
Two minutes later Queen’s opened the scoring. After excellent inter-passing through the middle, the ball is played wide to Timam Scott. Timam beat the full back, cut inside and fired a low shot past the keeper into the far corner of the net. A well worked and executed goal.
The goal gave the young Spiders confidence to up their pace and move the ball around the pitch with precision and patience waiting for gaps in the opposition’s defence.
In the 23rd minute Kane Thomson had a shot on goal after beating the full back to a loose ball but his effort was turned away by the Vale keeper.
Ten minutes later Lucas fastened onto a through ball, lobbed the advancing keeper only to see the ball go outside the near post. Although no more goals, Queen’s were creating chances with their passing and moving game.
The last five minutes of the half Vale fought their way back into the game. After a couple of near missed they equalised in the 44th minute when their Callum Richardson struck home from 12 yards out
Half-time: Vale of Level 1 Queen’s Park 1
Queen’s took the lead again in the 51st minute when Lennon Connolly stepped onto a through ball from Kane Thomson to knock the ball under the keeper into the net from eight yards out.
Vale of Leven pushed hard to get the equaliser, but couldn’t get their final ball on target.
As the half progressed the young Queen’s Park team began to dominate the game. Their superior fitness and speed telling in the warm conditions.
Queen’s made a number of substitutions as the half progressed to give as many boys as possible some game time. What was encouraging was the pace and fluidity of the team of the remained constant.
Five minutes from time Queen’s were awarded a penalty when Lucas McCormick was upended by a Vale of Leven defender. Lucas converted the spot kick to make the final score 3-1 to the Spider.
Full-time: Vale of Level 1 Queen’s Park 3
Queen’s Park: Liam Russell, Liam McLeish, Joseph Cassidy, Lennon Connelly, Dominic Brady, Timam Scott, Lucas McCormick, Kane Thomson, Alex Fairlie, Liam McQuaid, Lewis Reid.
Subs: Michael Collie, Ben Ferguson, Andrew Lind, Josh Howe, Euan Ross, Liam McVey, Joseph Smith, Zach Mauchin.