Peterhead 1 Queen of the South 2

Balmoor may be one of the last places expected for a healing of Scottish Football faith, but the Alba Cup Semi Final between Peterhead and Queen of the South served up a vibrant, end to end encounter that was a great credit to each of the sides involved.

Both started with expansive, attacking systems, with the hosts operating with a 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation which allowed Martin Bavidge and Graeme Sharp – making his 200th appearance for the club - to support Dennis Wyness as the focal point of the attack. Queen of the South fielded a progressive 3-5-2 formation, but were equally as committed to playing an entertaining game for the thousand supporters.

Indeed, there was little to choose from between the sides, and Peterhead showed little evidence of being a division lower than their SPL-promotion chasing opponents. It was the hosts who started the brightest, with Dennis Wyness bringing the best out of Lee Robinson after three minutes as he attempted to chip the onrushing goalkeeper. A succession of corners followed, as Queens struggled with the extra bodies in attack and the vigour and pace that their hosts were setting. Robinson, the former Rangers and Kilmarnock goalkeeper, was under constant pressure for the first ten minutes and performed admirably.

For the first twenty minutes the main goal threats were all coming down the Peterhead right wing. David Donald, Neil McVittie and the evergreen Martin Bavidge were looking dangerous whenever they got the ball, as their neat footwork and passing triangles kept the Dumfries side pegged back.

As the half progressed Queen of the South started to come back into proceedings with a little more belief. A low cross from Rocco Quinn was nearly turned into his own net by Stuart Smith, before the same player denied Allan Johnson with a last ditch tackle. John Bateman was also becoming the busier of the goalkeepers, making a smart instinctive save when Graeme Holmes connected from a corner.

As the first half raced to a frenetic climax, there were golden opportunities for either side. Holmes contrived to head over in front of an open goal, while Paul Emslie’s 20 yard drive rebounded off the crossbar after yet more creative play by Martin Bavidge.

If such a thing were possible, the second half started at an even more breathless pace than the first had ended. Martin Bavidge was again the main threat for Peterhead as his drilled shot from 16 yards was charged down, with Peterhead fans suggesting that a hand was used. Dennis Wyness took advantage of the ensuing confusion to prod the loose ball goal-ward, only to see the imposing figure of Lee Robinson brilliantly deny him again.

A minute later and at the other end of the pitch it was the turn of John Bateman to keep his side level, touching a powerful downward header by Graeme Holmes onto the post and away. Queens, and their fans, took heart from this and started containing Peterhead to their own third.

With the growing sense of belief came the breakthrough goal. A hopeful ball into the box was met by the imposing Graeme Holmes, whose shot was blocked by Callum McDonald. The loose ball spun to Craig Reid, who was able to steer the ball past Bateman from eight yards out to score his first ever goal for the club.

No sooner had Peterhead restarted they found themselves a second goal down. Willie McLaren brilliantly beat his marker on the left wing and got the break of the ball on the edge of the box, allowing him to steer an inviting low cut-back to Graeme Holmes on the penalty spot. Holmes calmly placed the ball to Bateman’s left, and the match looked as good as over.

The goals were certainly against the run of play, as Neil Cooper later noted, but not undeserved. Cooper will however be more than satisfied with the reaction he received from his charges.

With just over ten minutes remaining Graeme Sharp and Daniel Moore combined neatly on the left side of the pitch, before the former delivered an arcing cross towards the penalty spot. Martin Bavidge connected with an exquisite header which looped over the onrushing Lee Robinson. It was a goal that even Kenny Brannigan conceded deserved applause.

With a glimmer of hope now visible, the home side pushed more men forward, creating nervous moments in the Queens defence but exposing themselves to the pacy breaks of McLaren and David Weatherston, both of whom could have made the tie safe. A succession of corners further questioned the Doonhammers’ defence, which was being pushed increasingly deep.

With seconds remaining, Martin Bavidge was brought down on the edge of the right hand side of the box, allowing Daniel Moore the first real set piece of the match. Moore’s free-kick was exquisitely struck and heading for the top right hand corner before it was more than matched by a flying save from Robinson, sending Queens to their second Alba Cup final in eight years. Peterhead were no worse than their opponents, but Queen’s superior firepower and clinical finishing were the difference between the sides, and it will be they who face either Ross County or Partick in next month’s final.

Peterhead: Bateman, Donald, MacDonald, Stuart Smith, Moore, McVitie (Strachan 82), Anderson, Emslie, Bavidge, Wyness (David Ross 73), Sharp.
Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Scott Ross, Campbell

Booked: Stuart Smith
Goals: Bavidge 78