Queens strengthened their 3rd place position in the Championship table following a comfortable 3-0 victory over Dumbarton at Palmerston this afternoon. After controlling much of the first period without finding a breakthrough, Queens went ahead from the penalty spot ( yes, you have read that correctly, Queens were actually awarded a penalty!! ) just after half an hour of the contest, and two second half goals gave Queens the platform to make it four games without defeat. The win, Queens` second in a row at home, was never really in doubt once they had taken the lead, and even though it took them until the 69th minute to double their advantage, the hosts were certainly well worth the three points.
With several players still not available for selection, Queens boss, James Fowler, was forced into making a number of changes to the team that drew at Livingston a fortnight ago. and owing to the illness of Gavin Reilly, who was set to start the game, he even had to make a late change on the day. Defender, Kevin Holt, returned from suspension, and on-loan Kilmarnock man, Greg Kiltie, joined Derek Lyle in the starting line-up, with Lewis Kidd, Iain Russell, and the unwell Reilly, all missing out. Both Andy Dowie, and Ian McShane, made their 50th start for the club.Visitors Dumbarton arrived in Dumfries on the back of a three game losing run, and the lowest scorers in the division, had only Garry Fleming`s goal at Tynecastle to show for their efforts from their last five games. The first game between the sides earlier in the season ended with Queens recording a comfortable 4-0 win,with the highlight of that clash being a stunning goal from the now player-manager, James Fowler.
Before kick-off, both sets of supporters in the crowd of 1677 stood for a minutes silence, which as usual was observed impeccably by all in attendance.
A minute of silence
The hosts started brightly and attacking the Terregles Street end in the first half, they created a couple of half chances early on. Firstly, John Baird got clear on the right but his cut back into the 6-yard area found no takers, and moments later Baird almost profited from a mis-hit shot from Kiltie, but he was crowded out by two covering Dumbarton defenders before he could get his shot away. The striker was at the heart of most of Queens early forward play, and on 7 minutes his fine shot almost gave his side the lead ,but unfortunately his attempt flew a yard or so wide of the far post. Queens next attack began from Mark Durnan`s long diagonal ball across to Kevin Holt on the left, however, Holt`s excellent first touch and control was to no avail as both he and Baird ran into each other and a promising situation for Queens ended abruptly.
Although Queens had created a few openings for themselves, it was the visitors who had the games first real goalscoring opportunity. Megginson did well to set up a shooting chance for Fleming, but the only player to have scored for Dumbarton in their last 5 games, wasted the opportunity by dragging his shot wide of the target from just inside the penalty area
Zander clears the danger
A quick break from Queens saw them win their first corner of the game after 17 minutes, unfortunately the usually reliable Ian McShane contrived to deliver an awful set-piece that went over everyone and out for a throw-in. Dumbarton were content to sit deep and play on the break, and a fine ball from Agnew almost freed Megginson, the pass however was a little heavy and the ball zipped off the wet surface and through to Zander Clark.
Queens went close to going ahead again on 25 minutes. After Baird was fouled some 30-yards out, McShane`s floated delivery to the far post picked out Dowie and although the defender`s header didn`t pose too much of a threat, Baird was alert enough to almost flick the ball over the `keeper, but the combination of defender, `keeper, and the difficult angle only resulted in another Queens corner. If McShane`s first corner kick was poor, his second attempt was woeful, as this time he sliced the ball straight on to the empty terracing which was rather disappointing for the normally reliable set-piece taker. They say that practice makes perfect, and following another Queens corner, McShane was back to his best and his perfectly flighted ball into the box found the head of Mark Durnan although the resulting header from the big defender flew high over the crossbar.
The best move of the half from a Queens perspective came on the half hour mark. Kiltie and Baird exchanged passes down the right, and Baird`s accurate cross found the unmarked Derek Lyle at the back post where only a combination of defender and `keeper kept the hosts from taking the lead.
Lyle has a go at goal
From the resulting corner, Queens really should have scored. When the ball was eventually cleared out to McShane his cross back into the crowded penalty area was flicked on by Lyle to Baird, and from just 8-yards out the striker managed to volley the ball high over the target. In the aftermath the assistant`s flag had been raised, and it seemed as though Baird had moved into an offside position as he went for goal. Queens did eventually find a breakthrough and it came from the most unlikely of situations when after 32 minutes, they were awarded a penalty. As Danny Carmichael made his way into the area, the ball seemed to bounce up and hit defender Lee Mair`s hand and although there was much protesting by the Dumbarton players, the penalty was given by referee, Thomson. After the fuss had died down,John Baird stepped up to drive the spot kick straight down the middle of the goal to score his first competitive goal for Queens at Palmerston.
Ewings goes the wrong way
The goal was no more than the home side deserved, and moments later it could have been two as Kiltie, then Lyle, and finally Baird all had chances to find the net, with Baird`s attempt being deflected wide of the target.
The game`s first yellow card was handed to Dumbarton`s Fleming, after his late challenge on Chris Higgins left the Queens captain writhing in agony. Fortunately Higgins was fit to continue, but on the stroke of half-time Greg Kiltie came off second best following a challenge with Gilhaney, and although the impact looked pretty nasty, Kiltie was able to walk to the dressing room unaided. He was replaced by Iain Russell, just before the half-time whistle sounded.
HALF-TIME QUEENS 1-0 DUMBARTON
The opening chance of the second period went to the visitors, and Zander Clark was called upon to make his first save of the afternoon, tipping a decent effort from Campbell round the post for a corner. Having taken the ball well from the set-piece, Clark`s early and precise distribution led to Russell breaking clear down the left, and with only three defenders at the back for Dumbarton at the time it was a clear chance for Queens to cause problems, but Russell`s pass inside to Baird was not quite accurate enough and the chance had disappeared.
Once again Queens were having plenty of possession, although on several occasions their decision making, and use of the ball was not consistent which led to a certain amount of frustration for both players and fans alike. Iain Russell, who had looked very sharp since his introduction, linked up well with Baird down the left once again, this time firing a shot straight at `keeper Ewings as Queens continued to dominate proceedings. The substitute was at the centre of the action again after 68 minutes. This time he incurred the wrath of referee Thomson, and found himself being cautioned for a silly foul down by the left hand bye-line.
With Queens still holding a slender lead, a second goal would give the home side a bit of breathing space, and after 69 minutes they did finally increase the lead. A left wing cross from Russell was cleared for Queens first corner of the half, and after the ball was only half cleared, Mark Durnan was on the spot to stoop and head the ball past Ewings to open his goal account for the season.
Durnan heads it home
The cheers from the home support had hardly died down when just 90 seconds later they were on their feet cheering again. As Dumbarton rather easily gave away possession, a run and perfectly placed cross from Baird on the right found Derek Lyle rushing in to place a neat header past the `keeper for Queens` third goal of the afternoon.
Lyle places it past Ewings
With the points in the bag, Queens played out the final quarter of the game at their own pace,and they almost added a fourth goal when the pass of the game from McShane picked out Russell as he raced into the box, but `Keeper Ewings just got to the ball ahead of the Queens striker.
Lewis Kidd replaced Lyle with 8 minutes to go as Queens reverted to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Baird up front on his own. A rare foray forward by the now well beaten Dumbarton side, saw Megginson have an attempt on target, but Zander Clark, who had one of his easier days, saved comfortably. With time almost up, Mark Kerr was replaced by Kevin Dzierzawski as Queens played out time to collect another three well deserved points. The sponsors gave their man-of-the-match award to Mark Durnan as Queens now look ahead to a trip to Edinburgh to take on Hibs, the team who are just below them in the league table.