Match Report

Cowdenbeath were in the giving mood following the festive period as defensive errors gave Queen of the South both goals in a 2-0 victory at Central Park.

The weather conditions proved incredibly difficult as the wind, rain and boggy pitch meant that fluid, flowing football was almost impossible but it was Queens who adapted the better and just about deserved their win in what was a game of few chances. 

And indeed the opening goal came from a goalkeeper howler as Grant Adam spilled Iain Russell`s shot allowing Paul Burns to net his first of the season from inside the six-yard box on 45 minutes.  Another defensive error, this time from John Armstrong, saw Derek Lyle set up Iain Russell for an easy finish after 64 minutes.

Cowdenbeath had enjoyed something of a resurgence over the past few weeks following Jimmy Nicholl`s appointment with a draw against Raith Rovers and a win at Dundee in their previous two games.  And the upturn in confidence could be seen as The Blue Brazil started the match very much on the front foot as they played with the wind at their backs.

An early injury to striker Greg Stewart did not seem to affect the home side too much and the early pressure was capped with a well-struck Kane Hemmings effort that Zander Clark did well to push wide.  Hemmings had another effort on fifteen minutes that flew just wide of the Queens goal.

After the early periods dominated by Cowdenbeath, Queens began to grow into the game and began to pass the ball confidently in the middle of the park despite the less-than-perfect conditions.  Firstly Michael Paton looked to be through on goal after 18 minutes with Adam rushing out of his area but the former-Aberdeen forward mis-cued his attempted lob and the chance was gone.

The next opportunity fell to Derek Lyle as a Chris Mitchell corner from the left was flicked on by Andy Dowie but Lyle could not get over the header and the ball flew high onto the top of the net.

After a number of corners Queens took the lead moments before half-time.  Iain Russell had struggled to get himself into the game but exploded into life as he turned Thomas O`Brien inside out on the left side of the area before firing a low shot toward goal.  The shot flew straight at Grant Adam for what seemed a simple save but the `keeper spilled the ball and Paul Burns` work to follow up was rewarded as he scored from close range.


Russell strikes the effort that keeper Adam fumbled

Burns gets to the ball before Adam and opens the scoring

 

The weather conditions worsened as the second half began with rain adding to the strong wind making the pitch even heavier and the impact of the conditions translated to a distinct lack of goalmouth chances for much of the half.

Stephen McKenna had a pop from range after 57 minutes which flew high and wide before the three points were assured six minutes later. Iain Russell picked John Armstrong`s pocket giving Derek Lyle a free run on goal and as Adam rushed out to meet him he rolled the ball inside for Russell to pass the ball into the empty net.  It was very unselfish from Lyle as he would have been entitled to try and beat the `keeper himself. 

Lyle squares for the incoming Russell to slot home the clincher

Lyle, Russell and Paton celebrate the second goal

The home side battled to try and force themselves back into the contest but the Queens defence was resolute as they were happy to hold what they had.  Cowdenbeath did almost halve the deficit with six minutes left as the ball dropped to Lewis Milne inside the area but Zander Clark was equal to the effort with a strong save, low to his right before Stephen McKenna blocked Kenny Adamson`s follow-up.

Queens held out, restricting Cowdenbeath to very few chances and took full advantage of the generosity of the home defenders to secure an important win that pushed the Doonhamers closer to the playoff positions and further from the drop zone.

 


  • Clark



  • Mitchell



  • Durnan



  • Dowie



  • Holt





  • McKenna



  • Dzierzawski





  • Burns
    1




  • Paton





  • Russell
    1
    Sub2



  • Lyle

    Sub1


    Subs


  • Atkinson



  • Reilly

    Sub1-83



  • Carmichael

    Sub2-86



  • McShane



  • McGuffie










 
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For Real Time Updates Go To Our Updates Page
15:58 Good afternoon and welcome to Fife as Queens travel to Cowdenbeath. Teams to follow...
15:59 Queens: 1 Clark 2 Mitchell 3 Holt 4 McKenna 5 Durnan 6 Dowie 7 Burns 8 Dzierzawski 9 Lyle 10 Paton 11 Russell
16:00 Cowdenbeath: 17 Adam 3 Adamson 4 O`Brien 5 Armstrong 6 Wedderburn 8 Stevenson 9 Stewart 145 Brett 18 Milne 20 Miller 21 Hemmings
0 min THE GAME KICKS OFF
0 min THE GAME KICKS OFF
3 min Queens are shooting into the wind this half, making things difficult. They have lined up 4-2-3-1 by the looks of things.
5 min Early sub for Cowdenbeath as Robertson replaces Stewart. Kane Hemmings brings an easy save from Zander Clark but the game yet to settle.
9 min Cracking save from Clark as Holt misjudges the ball and allows Hemmings in behind. The striker smashes a volley goalward but Clark stops it.
14 min Yellow Card : Kevin Holt has started pretty shakily and overruns his touch before ploughing into Brett and picking up a deserved yellow.
16 min Decent opportunity for the home side as an Adamson free-kick from the right finds Robertson`s run to the far post but he fires well over.
18 min First opening for Queens as Paton races in behind with the `keeper racing out but his attempted chip is horribly mis-cued.
28 min The weather conditions are proving difficult to deal with but Queens have begun to try and pass the ball around. It`s a struggle though.
29 min Lyle heads onto the top of the net following a dangerous corner from Mitchell flicked on by Dowie.
30 min Another substitution from Cowdenbeath as Brett goes off to be replaced by Andy Russell.
32 min Dangerous from Queens as Holt plays Iain Russell down the left and his low cross almost finds Paton but Wedderburn cuts it out.
35 min Queens are really starting to grow into this game and they win another corner from the left. Mitchell to take...
36 min ... but it comes to nothing as Cowdenbeath defend well.
43 min GOAL QUEENS! Burns the scorer - Cowdenbeath 0:1 QOS
45 min Massive gift for Queens. Russell does well to attack the full-back and hits a low shot straight at the `keeper who fumbles it to Burns.
Half Time HALF TIME - Cowdenbeath 0:1 QOS
Half Time After a strong start from the home side Queens began to take control of the game and looked the more likely to score.
Half Time Queens will be very happy with the lead at the break as the wind has caused problems all day.
Half Time And in the second half they will have the wind at their backs so things are looking positive for the Doonhamers.
Half Time Bit of a delay before the half starts as the netting has come loose. The players are all bouncing about like loonies trying to stay warm.
45 min SECOND HALF UNDERWAY
51 min Yellow Card : Michael Paton gives the ball away and in his efforts to win the ball back slides in late.
53 min Today`s attendance is 556.
56 min Yellow Card : Derek Lyle jumps for a header and gives away a foul. The ref books him for the use of the arm.
57 min Queens are yet to find their way into this half with the hosts having much of the play but without creating much.
60 min Half chance for Cowdenbeath as Hemmings gets past the onrushing Clark on the left wing. He`s too wide and his cross is cleared.
61 min Cowdenbeath make their final sub of the game as Jordan Morton replaces Thomas O`Brien. Looks like they`re changing to 4-4-2.
62 min Decent chance for Cowdenbeath as Kenny Adamson`s cross finds Andy Russell free in the centre but his header is poor and Clark saves easily.
63 min GOAL QUEENS! Russell the scorer - Cowdenbeath 0:2 QOS
65 min Another defensive lapse as Iain Russell tackles last-man Armstrong and plays in Lyle who returns the ball to give Russell an open goal.
69 min Yellow Card : Stephen McKenna leaves a late tackle on Milne and picks up a booking.
75 min Nothing to shout about from Queens this half apart from the late Christmas present from the home defence giving Russell his goal.
80 min Half-chance for Cowdenbeath as Lewis Milne finds space inside the Queens box but his effort is weak and Dowie blocks.
82 min Substitution : Reilly on for Lyle
84 min Great save Clark. Cowdenbeath almost get back into the game as Milne sees his close range effort well saved before Adamson`s shot is blocked
85 min Substitution : Carmichael on for Russell
87 min Missed opportunity for Queens as a counter attack gives them a 3 on 2 but Burns` cross for Reilly is overhit.
17:51 FULL TIME - Cowdenbeath 0:2 QOS
17:51 A pretty poor game of football but Queens deserved the three points and put plenty of space between themselves and Cowdenbeath.