Reaction

The Wasps returned to the top of the Ladbrokes League One Division after a scare at Hampden Park on Saturday. Queen’s Park who had already defeated Livingston 1-0 at the national stadium could feel aggreived at not taking something from this game.

Queen’s took the lead in 53 minutes when Kevin Cawley was adjudged to have fouled Paul Woods on the edge of the box and ex Wasp Andy Millen’s son Ross scored from the spot.

Alloa themselves got back into the game with another spot kick when Greig Spence was fouled by Ryan McGeever and Greig Spence scored from the spot with eleven minutes left.

Queen’s went close to taking the lead again but Ben Gordon headed clear from under the bar. It was fitting that Iain Flannigan, who was captain for the day should score the winner, such was his influence on the day. A very important victory which later in the season could prove to be so crucial.

jack ross after win at the national stadium

Delighted with the result, there has not been that many occasions this season where I have not said I have been delighted with the performance and the result, I don’t think we were at our best but I think that was a lot to do with how well Queen’s Park played, I thought they were good and made it hugely difficult for us and I don’t mean that defensively, I mean that were good all over the park. When they went a goal ahead they made it even more difficult, we haven’t created a lot, we have enjoyed a lot of success from wide areas but it was difficult for us to do that so we made a few changes in the second half and even then I didn’t think it looked like being our day but the character the players showed was terrific. These are the type of results help you have a good season, when you are not at your best and manage to get a victory, one way or another which might not have been deserved.

The game was difficult because we have been used to games going a certain way for us and teams have seen us now and they will be looking at ways to play against us and we try and do the same, which is something we assess as a staff, the game was frustrating and the game only becomes heated because there are two sets of players and management teams who care about their team, sometimes you say something or things on the touchline which aren’t appropriate, which you cannot be proud of but that is within the ninety minutes of the game , if you don’t do that you have to question if you are in the right role. At the end of the game win lose or draw it’s over with. Queen’s Park were very disciplined and maybe the heated exchanges sparked something and helped us get back into the game.

Ben Gordon’s goal line clearance was at a crucial time and not long after we scored the winning goal, defensively I thought we were solid, we know Ben is a good defender and he would have been pleased to get the ninety minutes and he helped contribute to the win as well which is encouraging for him. To get a player to strengthen the squad is not easy but getting the right player and his availability was slightly surprising and to get the deal over the line was hard work but I think he is pleased with it as well and although it is 93 days it takes us to the home fixture against Queen’s Park in December.

We can now look forward to the trip to Celtic Park in midweek, we hadn’t spoken about the game apart from arranging the logistics, tickets and travel arrangements but we hadn’t spoken about it as a match because we had such an important game today against Queen’s Park.

We will train on Monday this week and I will travel to Inverness on Sunday, we have had to win five games to get to this stage, hard games, but we are only two games away from a cup final.