Queen’s Park 0 Celtic 1 – Defeat in the Glasgow Cup

QUEEN’S PARK are still seeking a Glasgow Cup win this season after Celtic left Lochinch with a 1-0 win.

Francis Turley’s second half strike from close-range decided matters, but the Spiders struck both posts and the crossbar throughout 90 minutes where chances were aplenty, but goals just wouldn’t fall.

The home side even missed a first half penalty before being punished for their profligacy in the second spell. 

Queen’s Park were brighter in the first half and started with intent from the first minute.

Timam Scott was a constant thorn in the side of the Celtis, and created a corner from next to nothing with just seconds on the click.

The winger raced onto a backpass and cleverly stepped over the ball to win a corner but the home side couldn’t take advantage.

All the chances came the home side’s way and Tyrece McDonnell and Josiah Sowa both tapped just wide within a 60 seconds of one another in the fifth and sixth minutes.

McDonnell – a former Celtic youth player – knocked wide after passing build-up from Jamie Bradley and the impressive Roddy MacGregor who controlled the middle of the park as he returned from injury.

Scott laid on Sowa from the right just a minute later but the Canadian’s contact diverted the ball towards the post – but just the wrong side.

Sowa shot across goal after showing good strength to ruin onto a Milosz Sliwinski kick on 12 minutes against a defender much taller than the diminutive forward, but the shot again couldn’t find the target.

At the back for the Spiders Darryl Carrick and Ollie Fisher were comfortable playing a neat offside trap with wing-backs Leo Clark and Magnus Mackenzie. He played high on the left side and Clark on the opposite dealt well with players significantly taller as Sowa did at the other end of the pitch.

Queen’s Park had plenty of experience if not years within their ranks, while Celtic had Ben Summers with top-team appearances. He fouled him opposite number Jamie Bradley on 24 minutes to halt a promising build-up, and McDonnell’s free-kick spun out for a corner. Macgregor’s delivery was close to a goal at the backpost for Ollie Fisher but just too high.

The Spiders came even closer on the half hour.

A brilliant ball from the back by Carrick picked out Scott’s surging run down the right. He recovered form a heavy first touch into the box to reach the ball before keeper Marcus Gill and was toppled. As Queen’s players rushed to support McDonnell’s shot was knocked wide but the referee called back the advantage and awarded the penalty.

Scott stepped up and struck the ball low to the goalkeeper’s left. The ball hit the inside of the post, spun along the goal-line and then made contact with the other post before rolling the wrong way for those of a Queen’s Park persuasion.

There was still time for ne more Queen’s Park chance but Sowa on the sprint struck the outside of the post with four minutes of the first half to go.

Changes at the interval saw Ross McLean and Aiden McGinlay added by Jim Duffy and Charley King, but neither could make the breakthrough, instead it was Celtic who upped the ante and edged the second half, and crucially took their chance.

Obidiwe got wrong side of Leo Clark ten minutes into the second half and the right-back pulled the big man down on the corner of the box. The free-kick was battered against Timam Scott in the wall and sparked a QP counter. Magnus Mackenzie raced clear and delivered a delicious ball onto the toe of Sowa. The first touch was perfect but the forward stumbled on his second and third and Gill gathered.

It was the forward’s last move and Connor Falls replaced him, with Michael Collie also on for Ricky Waugh.

After the changes though, Celtic scored. With 20 minutes to go the Hoops forced their way down Queen’s right side and Francis Turley converted low at the front post. It could have been more for the visitors at Lochinch with Thomas Hatton striking the crossbar from the edge of the box with 12 minutes to go.

Queen’s Park did likewise later on but only after another few chances for the home team.

From the shot off the woodwork Sliwinski released the Spiders attack with a long ball and Connor Falls claimed for a penalty as he bundled forward with ten minutes to go and with seven, Aiden McGinlay’s free kick was headed onto the bar by his fellow sub McLean. Darryl Carrick met the follow-up that was hacked clear by the Hoops.

The Spiders continued to push and Michael Collie joined Jamie Bradley in the referee’s book, but in the final chance of the game Gill gathered after Fisher knocked the ball into the six-yard area and Cole Goldie just couldn’t get close enough.

The result adds to the earlier defeat in the competition to Clyde in pre-season, and a 1-1 draw and penalty shoot-out loss to Partick Thistle last month.

QUEEN’S PARK: Sliwinski, Clarke (Goldie 85), Mackenzie, O.Fisher, Carrick, Waugh (Collie 65), Scott, Macgregor (Mclean 46), Sowa (Falls 65), Bradley, McDonnell (McGinlay 46).

Subs not used: L. Fisher, Aitchison