Written by John - OTR Saturday, 15 August 1998 00:00

What is it about Hampden Park that inspires farcical incidents ? There was a cracker yesterday. It may not have been as funny as last season's Willie-Wilson-in-amazing-recovery shock but it was still dead good. In the 55th minute, the ball was played back to the Queens keeper and ex-Son, Mike Monaghan, who tried to control the ball on his chest at his near post. Unfortunately for Mike, he mis-chested it and it went over his shoulder for a corner. In fact, it very nearly went in. Anyway, as the ball was being placed, Sandy said, "I really hope we score from this" and lo and behold, Lee Sharp got his head to the ball and stuck it in. Cue lots of hysterical laughter from the healthy Sons support !

Up until that point the game had been pretty quiet with Queen's Park having the upper hand on chances created. They missed a sitter following a good bit of build up play early in the first half and blasted a couple of shots straight at Kenny Meechan. Dumbarton looked like their usual self, with Flannery arsing up what opportunities came his way, Glancy seeming to think that he was the only Dumbarton player on the pitch and refusing to pass the ball and Kenny Meechan punting the ball upfield usually straight to the head of another ex-Son Paul Martin. The most exciting thing of the first half was the quality of the pies and the fact that the Bovril didn't go all gungy when you got to the bottom. The artificial owl that hangs from the roof to scare the pidgeons away was quite exciting too.

New signing Toby King made his debut after being freed by Clyde. He had a reasonable game although he didn't seem to be on the same wavelength as the rest of team at times. Being at Clyde has obviously taught him a thing or two because he can now backheel the ball. I suppose that's the sort of skills you can perfect if you go full-time.

It wasn't until Martin Mooney came on for the hapless Flannery in the 72nd minute that Dumbarton showed any decent form. Mooney's presence certainly tightened up the midfield and this led to a few good chances including a lovely run by one of the Melvins which he ended up missing. Queen's, abetted by the Worst Referee In Scotland - Graeme Alison, raised their game in the last five minutes but the defence easily dampened any threat. What was more surprising was that Kenny Meechan actually looked fairly confident coming for cross balls. Strange days indeed.

After a good 5 minutes of injury the ref finally blew for full time and we headed back to MacSwally's for a pint and the scores. Alas, no bare breasts were to been seen this time (see last year's Match Reports). But then again the hockey season probably hasn't started yet. Maybe next time.