REFEREE MARTINDALE CHEATS THE QUEENS

I have seen some bad refreeing in my time but Mr Martindale's performance at Palmerston was amongst the worst I have seen and he virtually gifted the game to St Johnstone by allowing the Saints second goal to stand. Three minutes from th end of a keenly fought contest with the score 1-1,Queens defender Jim Thompson and Saints player Stuart Noble chased a long ball together. Big Jim got to it first but Noble grabbed a handful of his shirt a pulled him away. To the amazement of the Palmy crowd the Saints player was allowed to continue and place the ball behind Scott for a controversial winner. The game had started off with St Johnstone in control but they made very few chances in front of goal. Queens gradually fought their way back into the match and made the better chances. O'Neill was unlucky when he hit the post and Cuthbert in the Saints goal was lucky to save a Paton effort with his legs. As we approached half-time Queens had the Saints defence hanging on and it was no surprise when the impressive McLaughlan scored a lovely goal in 41 minutes. A superb ball was threaded through to him by Paton and the wee man swept it past the Saints keeper into the corner of the net.
Queens were well worth their lead as the teams trooped off at half-time.

Half-time Queens 1 st Johnstone 0

As the teams trooped off little did we know what drama was about to unfold. Saints again looked the likelier team but Queens were very dangerous on the break. The home side were shocked when the Perh side were awared a penalty after Mc Colligan seemed to wrestle Hartley to the ground. TV replays later showed that it was a rather harsh decision. Scott in the Queeens goal made a wonderful save from Hay's spot-kick. The referee was beginning to niggle the home fans and his many strange decisions seemed to favour the Saints. He booked three Queens players for minor offences yet some of Saints players were getting away with murder at times. Queens should have added to their tally when Bowey saw his lob crash of the bar. As the game approched the last quarter the feeling was that Queens looked good for the three points when out of the blue Saints equalised in the 77 minute when a Roberston free-kick semed to take a deflection off Weatherson and flew past Scott. Saints fancied their chances and assisted by an incompetent refreee pressed forward but Queens defence held firm. Then came those dramatic last few minutes that changed the game and the rest is history. I spoke to Jim Thomson in the Queens Pub and he was completely distraught. He was quite adamant that Noble had pulled him away from the ball by grabbing his shirt. There were some ugly scenes at the finish when the referee was jostled by some players but fortunately no one was booked. An irate season ticketholder in the West Stand was so incensed by the referee's display that he threw his season ticket into the director's box and stormed out of the ground. Mr Martindale was seen dashing towards his car later rather white-faced under a torrent of verbal abuse from some of the regulars in the QOS PUB. Queens have to get this farce out of their system and I'm sure JC will have them ready to face Ross County on Saturday. Queens were very impressive today against a St Johnstone side who have improved dramatically since their last visit. I feel that playing O'connor from the start in preference to Weatherson was not wise as the big man is not quite there yet whereas Nelly looked in the mood when he came on. Well it's off on the road to Dingwall next Saturday and a 7.30 start with the Travel Club. Hope we get a decent referee !!!!

Saints miss great first-half chance

Which side are you on BOWSER ?