Competitive football returned to Palmerston for the first time since February 29th as Queen of the South lined-up against St. Mirren, who currently lie 11th in the Premiership. Goals from Connor Shields and Aidan Fitzpatrick put Queens two-up in quick fashion, before second-half strikes from Jamie McGrath and an 89th minute equaliser from Marcus Fraser meant the game finished 2-2. Unlike Tuesday, Queens lost the resulting penalty shoot-out, St. Mirren winning it in comprehensive fashion.
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Allan Johnston made the one change to Tuesday?s side, with impressive winger Fitzpatrick lining up on the left-side of midfield; Rhys McCabe dropping out of the starting XI. It was a 4-4-1-1 formation for the South, with Stephen Dobbie playing just behind Euan East who led the line.
Queens started the game well with both Fitzpatrick and Connor Shields causing St. Mirren problems with their directness. Shields had the beating of his experienced marker Richard Tait time and time again and made him pay after eight minutes. After cutting past Tait, Shields found space in the area before unleashing a powerful shot past the helpless Jak Alnwick from 12-yards.
Shields about to pull the trigger and open the scoring
It was no less than Queens deserved after an impressive start to the game ? and things only got better from there as just four minutes later Aidan Fitzpatrick doubled Queens? lead. After losing the ball on the edge of the area, the Norwich-loanee showed superb determination to win the ball back before playing some nice passes on the edge of the area. He was played in on goal by Joe McKee and made no mistake in finishing, powering his shot into the top-corner.
Fitzpatrick sends the ball into the back of the net for the second goal
Fitzpatrick celebrates the second goal
The viewers on Queens? new streaming service could have been mistaken for thinking that Queens were the Premiership team, such was the start that the Doonhamers made.
The Buddies began to settle into the game after going two-behind, seeing more of the ball without really troubling Rohan Ferguson in the Queens goal.
On the half hour mark Ayo Obileye showed his impressive ariel ability, rising highest at a corner, although his header was the wrong side of the post.
Following a poor Lee Erwin free-kick, Kyle McAllister tried his luck from a dead ball 25-yards from goal, striking the post with what would have been a contender for goal of the season.
Queens? rear-guard held firm though, despite an injury to Obileye after an awkward landing, and went into the break ahead.
HT ? QoS 2-0 St. Mirren
There isn?t much more anyone could?ve asked for at half-time. Two goals up against a team in the league above with months of competitive football under their belt.
Jim Goodwin shook things up for St. Mirren in the second period, bringing on Jon Obika for Nathan Sheron at half-time, playing slightly more direct in the final 45.
And Goodwin?s change paid off, albeit in bizarre fashion. As St. Mirren won a free-kick in a wide crossing position, Jamie McGrath?s cross evaded everybody in the Queens box and nestled in the far corner of Ferguson?s goals.
On the balance of the game, St. Mirren probably deserved a goal back, although Queens will certainly be disappointed in the manner that it went in.
As the second-half grew older the Buddies began committing men forward, leaving space for Queens to get into. A powerful run by Shields down the right allowed him to cut-back to East on the penalty spot, a poor touch from the frontman allowed Fitzpatrick to have a shot from the edge of the area, although Tait was on hand to block what was almost a certain goal.
Not long after Fitzpatrick had another good chance. After being played in by Dobbie on the right-hand side he was able to unleash a powerful shot at Alnwick?s goal, however, it was off-target.
A third chance came and went for Queens as East cut inside the area onto his right-foot before firing low at Alnwick?s near corner. His effort took a faint deflection and went narrowly wide, preventing a third goal for Queens.
And that is a foul by East
Just as Queens were seeing the game out though, disaster struck. The impressive Junior Morais, who was brought on after 60 minutes, delivered a brilliant cross into the area as the towering Marcus Fraser leaped above James Maxwell at the back-post ? his header just dipping over Ferguson and under the bar. It was heartbreak for Queens who had more than matched their Premiership opposition for the majority of the game, despite playing significantly less football this season. Nonetheless, Willie Collum blew his full-time whistle a few minutes later and we went to penalties again.
History was not to repeat itself from Tuesday though as both Joe McKee and Willie Gibson missed their penalties, McKee striking the underside of the bar. Despite Gregor Buchanan and Obileye finding the back of the net, the sheer quality of St. Mirren?s penalties was too good for Ferguson.
FT ? QoS 2-2 St. Mirren (St. Mirren win 4-2 on penalties)
After Tuesday?s draw feeling like a win, today?s effort feels like a defeat. However, playing against top-tier opposition, Queens more than matched them throughout the game and were unlucky to come away with only one point. Plenty of positives to take from the game too, Shields finding the back of the net again and Fitzpatrick grabbing his first, hopefully of many, for the club.
It was also the first time the club were able to stream a game live for supporters and judging by feedback it seemed an overwhelming success. Huge credit must go to the various people within the club that made this happen.
Our next group match takes place on Tuesday night as we welcome League 1 opposition in Partick Thistle to Palmerston. This match will also be available to buy on PPV for just £10.