2001/02 A Championship Season Reviewed
A serialised account of our championship winning season by our man who has been at almost every match home and away - Ewan Lithgow
Part Five - November
If the previous week had been a big high in the season to date, the next saw the biggest low and probably the worst performance of the whole season. The manager decided to change the 3-5-2 system used all year to a tighter 4-4-2 away to Clydebank and, whilst over the season it would prove to be a good change of tactics, it completely flopped on the day. Already shorn of the injured Colin Scott, the suspended Peter Weatherson and the working Graham Connell, Alan Gray was dropped for the only time all season. The first half proved an unmitigated disaster. The defence stood like statues as McGrillen scored the first and Campbell and Crawford were involved in an incredible mix up which let Eric Paton add a second. Before half time Gordon Connelly gave away a silly penalty
which was converted on the rebound by Burke and the game was lost. Gray came on at half time and contributed to a more secure half but the horse had long bolted before the stable door was locked. The reign at the top had lasted just one week.

During the following week Queens signed two more players, with Martin Glancy coming in from Berwick and young Lenny Walker from Hamilton. Glancy made his debut at home to Cowdenbeath but, despite dominating the game for long periods, Queens somehow found themselves three down to the Fife side, all scored by young Graeme Brown on the break. Weatherson, back from suspension, bundled in a consolation in the second half after a goalkeeping error but there was no coming back and the team slipped to third, four points behind the "Bankies".

Next up was the 1st Round Scottish Cup tie at Morton but the week before was not without it's traumas again. Warren Hawke was not best pleased to have lost his place in the team yet again following the signing of Glancy and decided his future lay elsewhere resulting in his being made available for transfer. In addition, Murray McDowall declined to play in the game, though Thistle had cleared him to do so, for fear of being cup-tied. As Martin Glancy hadn't been signed in time to play, this meant Weatherson playing alone up front with O'Neill pushed a little further forward to support him. In the event Queens returned to form and comfortably disposed of the by now struggling Morton team. O'Neill scored twice early on and, despite Stephen Aitken puling a goal back, the visitors moved forward to a 2nd Round meeting with Alloa. The end of the match was marred a little by a verbal altercation between manager John Connolly and one of the travelling Queens "supporters". The word "supporter" is particularly out of context with the gentleman involved as he is well known for simply turning up to criticise and has been doing it for years. However, John should still have known better than to react to it. An apology would follow in the next home programme.

Before the next match at Stenhousemuir, Murray McDowall's loan spell was terminated and Warren Hawke was transferred back to Morton for a small fee. The match was a bruising affair, particularly for captain Jim Thomson, who suffered a fractured cheekbone in a clash with Ian Ferguson. Stuart Davidson scored a first half header for Queens but, despite having all the pressure, they
could not add to their tally and Willie Irvine equalised from the penalty spot in the second half after a foul by Derek Allan.

The month end saw Queens sitting fourth on 23 points, only a point behind second place Stranraer but four points off the top and just two points away from the bottom half of the table. Allan Moore was snapped up after being released by Morton and Gordon Burns signed on a free from Ayr United.
Ewan Lithgow
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