Queens became the latest Championship side to be swept aside by League leaders Hearts, as the in form Edinburgh side stretched their unbeaten start to the league season to 8 games following a convincing 3-0 victory. However, the game might have turned out differently if the home side had taken either of their two early chances, but it was the visitors who eventually made the breakthrough after 39 minutes, a goal which was to subsequently set them up to record their third league win in a row.
Having been installed as successor to Jim McIntyre on a permanent basis, James Fowler`s first game in charge could hardly have been more difficult. Facing the table toppers with a fully fit squad would have been hard enough, but with the loss of yet another player - Mark Durnan being the latest to miss out through injury - the task was made even more daunting. His first Palmerston line-up included a debut for on-loan Kilmarnock player, Greg Kiltie, as Queens went with a 4-4-2 formation, with Andy Dowie moving in to the centre of defence to partner captain Chris Higgins. Visitors Hearts, on league business in Dumfries for the first time since 1981,looked to maintain their 6 point advantage whilst prolonging their fine start to the season.
Great to see a full Terregles Street End again
The opening exchanges saw Hearts have the better of the play, and they created a half chance after just 4 minutes. Following the award of a free-kick, the visitors wasted no time in taking the set-piece quickly catching the Queens defence off guard, but from the edge of the box, Walker shot high over the bar. Moments later Queens had their first opportunity of the game, and they came within a yard or so of taking the lead. Slack play in the Hearts defence saw the ball falling into the path of Gavin Reilly, and the Queens striker moved forward at pace before drilling a shot across Alexander and only just wide of the far post. It was a very good chance for Queens, and encouraged by that, they attacked again, this time down the right, and after initially failing to control the ball, Lewis Kidd battled back to win the ball and win his side their first corner. The set-piece was driven in by Ian McShane, and after out jumping the defence, Andy Dowie headed the ball against the near post with`keeper Alexander rooted to the spot.
It was just the inside of the post that dampened Lyle`s joy
It was a good spell for Queens, and an excellent cross from Kevin Holt found Iain Russell at the back post, but under strong pressure from Wilson, he could only glance his header wide of the target. However, almost instantly they were on the back foot as Hearts fluent football saw them go close as Sow`s effort from just inside the area was parried to safety by Zander Clark. The opening period of the half had gone by pretty quickly, and with both teams trying to keep the ball on the ground, it made for a pleasing watch, and although Queens had created the better of the chances, Hearts slowly began to take more control of the game as both Gomis, and Buaben, started to make their presence felt.
The visitors were awarded a somewhat soft free-kick when Chris Higgins was adjudged to have fouled Sow on 27 minutes, and once again a quickly taken free-kick caused concerns for the Queens defence, as Sow escaped his marker to get on the end of Walker`s cross, but from close range his weak header was comfortably held by Clark. The game threatened to get out of hand moments later after the league leaders were awarded a corner, when Dowie and Turk had a bit of a `coming together` that resulted in both players being cautioned, the corner when taken, sailed straight out of play much to the relief of the home defence.
Queens best attacking outlet seemed to be coming from Iain Russell, and after he threatened to break clear just inside the Hearts half, Prince Bauben ended his run with a rather rash challenge that saw him follow Dowie, and Turk, into referee Colvin`s notebook. Russell was soon involved in the action again. Firstly, the foul on him on the right touchline saw Queens win a free-kick, and when the ball eventually broke back to him on the edge of the penalty area, his half volley was deflected wide for another corner that Hearts were able to defend comfortably.
With the home side enjoying a decent spell, on 39 minutes the game changed as Hearts found the breakthrough. There seemed to be little danger as Sow collected Wilson`s long clearance from defence, but in an instance the striker had spun around and hit a powerful shot that crashed against the crossbar, bounced down and apparently over the goal-line much to the delight of the huge travelling support. Whether or not the whole of the ball crossed the whole of the line is certainly up for debate - where is hawkeye when it`s needed? - but the goal was given and the visitors were ahead. Iain Russell then became the latest player to be booked as he protested too strongly about the decision
The uncertainty of the award had clearly upset Queens, and just 3 minutes later there were more problems for the home team when Prince Bauben eased his way past three challenges to guide the ball past Clark from just inside the penalty area. Whilst there might have been some doubt about the opening goal, Queens only had themselves to blame for the loss of the second, as the goalscorer was able to cut through the defence with relative ease. Having been as good, and maybe slightly better than their higher placed hosts for the opening 39 minutes, Queens went into the break two goals behind, as Hearts, through a combination of good fortune, and good skill found themselves firmly in the driving seat as the half ended.
A two goal lead at the break
HALF-TIME QUEENS 0-2 HEARTS
Attacking the end were the majority of the travelling fans were gathered, Hearts began the second period strongly, and they had strong claims for a penalty early on when Kevin Holt seemed to mistime his tackle on Walker, but thankfully for the home support in the crowd of 5534, the referee waved play on. With the home side being pegged back, Lewis Kidd became the third Queens player to be yellow carded for a foul on El Hassnaoui.
Queens first change saw Mark Kerr replace the player-manager, and just two minutes later, Hearts added a third goal. A break down the wing by King led to an inviting cross being delivered into the danger area, and from close range, McGhee had the simple chance to fire the ball past Clark from close range. That was truly game up for Queens, and for the last period of the game they spent much of it chasing shadows as Hearts controlled the majority of possession. After 62 minutes Queens created their best chance of the half when loanee Kiltie battled well to keep the ball and managed to get a shot away, but it was straight at Alexander who parried the ball away. Kiltie then made way for Kevin Dzierzawski who took his position on the right of midfield. The final change for the home side came when John Baird replaced Lyle, and although Queens kept battling away, they never really threatened to get themselves back into the game.
Zander is beaten for the third time
As the game moved towards its conclusion, the away side, and in particular, Osman Sow, had two really good chances to add to the scoreline. Firstly his strength and pace saw him get in behind the Queens defence before smashing a low drive into the side-netting, and then he was only denied a second goal of the game when Zander Clark produced a splendid save, diving to his right to palm the striker`s powerful shot around the post. Iain Russell was named as sponsors man of the match, and although Queens were well in contention for the opening 40 minutes or so, Hearts eventually settled,and then showed just why they have made such a terrific start to the league campaign.