Early end to cup run

Jan 14 2009 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

QUEEN of the South’s love affair with the Scottish Cup came to an abrupt end in atrocious conditions at Falkirk Stadium.

Queens competed well over the 90 minutes but Falkirk scored their goals at critical times and it was enough to turn the tide in their favour.

Both managers, Gordon Chisholm and John Hughes, believed Scott Arfield’s second goal – coming less than a minute after Bob Harris had put Queens 2-1 ahead – was crucial to the outcome of the tie.

Graham Barrett added the clinching goals in the final quarter of the game to put Falkirk into the fifth round but this was a match that could have gone either way.

Falkirk deserved it for the way they finished off the tie and created more in front of goal late in the game.

Indeed Michael Higdon had a glaring miss after he headed the ball against the crossbar and then swept the rebound over with goalkeeper Lee Robinson beaten.

In horrendous conditions, Falkirk – with the strong wind at their backs – fashioned an early chance when a deep cross from Jackie McNamara picked out Barrett at the far post and his close-range header was tipped over by Robinson.

Craig Barr was then in the right position to block a header from Barrett in front of goal after a great cross from Neil McCann.

Too often, Falkirk managed to get to the edge of the Queens’ penalty area but then chose the wrong option, much to the frustration of their fans.

The home side also took unnecessary risks at the back with Darren Barr looking especially uncertain in the difficult conditions.

Steve Tosh shot a couple of yards wide but Robert Olejnik did not have too much in the way of direct shots to save in the first half.

Falkirk got the break they needed eight minutes from half-time when referee Charlie Richmond ruled that Barr had fouled Barrett in the area.

The striker was going away from goal and it looked a soft award but the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Arfield expertly sent Robinson the wrong way with the spot kick to put the Premier League side ahead.

But Queens were level four minutes later when Falkirk failed to clear their lines and Barry Wilson scored with a deflected 16-yard shot to give some cheer to Queens’ 1,000-strong travelling support.

The first division side took the lead two minutes after the break when Tosh touched a short free-kick to Bob Harris and he thundered in a wind-assisted left-foot shot which left Olejnik with no chance.

But Falkirk equalised within a minute when McCann’s cross was missed by Barr and Arfield netted with a low shot.

A mistake by Darren Barr on the edge of his own area gave Stewart Kean a chance to put Queens ahead again but he lacked composure and sent his shot high and wide.

Michael Higdon was just inches away at the other end after he managed to get his head to a Lee Bullen cross at the far post but could not direct his effort on target.

Queens did not heed the warning and it was 3-2 after 68 minutes when Robinson reacted well to stop a Barr shot with his right hand but Barrett was alert to slam the loose ball into the net.

The Irish striker completed the scoring ten minutes from time when he shot home after great work down the left by substitute Mark Stewart.

Teams

Falkirk: Olejnik; McNamara, Bullen (Holden 79), Barr, Scobbie; Arfield, McBride, O‘Brien (Stewart 66), McCann; Barrett, Higdon (Finnigan 78). Subs: Andrews (gk), Riera.

Queen of the South: Robinson; McLaughlin, Lancaster, Barr, Harris; Wilson (Burns 85), Robertson (O’Connor 73), MacFarlane, Tosh (Dobbie 73), McQuilken; Kean. Subs: Hallowell, Reid.

Referee: C Richmond.

Attendance: 3,423.