QUEEN’S PARK are through to the last 16 of the KDM Evolution Trophy after strikes from Seb Drozd and Josh Fowler saw off Clyde.
This was the second attempt at the fixture – postponed at short notice last week due to wind damage during Storm Bram.
There were no such concerns this evening in perfect, crisp winter conditions for football.
And it was almost the perfect start for Queen’s Park as Ross McLean found himself through on goal after a great ball through from Ricky Waugh, his shot was sent inches past the bar after not even a minute.
The Spiders started off well, but Clyde themselves had a few chances including back to back corners, which Queen’s defended comfortably.
As the game went on, Queens had a couple corners but they weren’t able to take advantage. Josh Fowler found himself in a brilliant position to score, but the ball bounced awkwardly and was collected by Clyde keeper Brian Kinnear.
Just after the 20 minute mark, a great piece of play from Ricky Waugh allowed Seb Drozd to fire the ball into the bottom corner and put The Spiders 1-0 up. This boosted Queens and they began to dominate the game, creating a good few chances to extend the lead. Clyde thought they had a chance to equalise, but a brilliant tackle from Henry Fieldson prevented The Bully Wee from making it 1-1.
Clyde had a few more chances before the whistle and managed to equalise through a corner, a scramble in the box allowed Scott Williamson to tuck it away. That proved to be the last kick of the half, 1-1 at half-time.
After a goal seconds from the end of the first half, there was another inside a minute of the second, with Drozd swinging the ball in to Josh Fowler for his 15th goal of the season. He took a brilliant turn to work the ball onto his left foot and sent it into the back of the net – the ideal start to the second half for The Spiders.
After the goal, Queen’s began piling up the chances and pressure, all while defending any attack from Clyde brilliantly. A great save from Milosz Sliwinski as The Bully Wee looked certain to make it 2-2, the young Spider dived across his line to stop the shot from inside the six yard box and collected the ball safely after.
From the keeper making his second senior start for the club came another extreme – Louis Longridge entering as a second half substitute to record his 200th competitive game for Queen’s Park to a round of applause around The city Stadium.
Clyde threw everything forward late on and in the final minute of the 90, Rocco Friel blocked what was certain to be a Clyde equaliser. The on-loan Spider put his body on the line and prevented the visitors from making it 2-2.
Just moments after, Milosz Sliwinski made another brilliant save after Queen’s struggled to get the ball out the box and the stopper even had to save from his opposite number as Clyde keeper Brian Kinnear met a corner but was denied on the line.
Sean Crighton, who had fielded Aidan McGinlay at left-back and Carlo Pignatiello in midfield had time to pitch youngster Cole Goldie on for his first taste of senior football after impressing in the under-17s and 19s this season.
The teen had to be on his toes to scramble away another late Clyde push but this 2-1 win sees The Spiders progress through to face Forfar Athletic at home on January 6/7.
Queen’s Park: Sliwinski, Fieldson(Shiels 64), Pignatiello (Connolly 64), Fowler (Longridge 64), Carrick, Waugh, McGinlay, Scott (Goldie 94), McLean, Friel, Drozd (Savoury 83).
by Leah Johnston, Glasgow Clyde College
