Broomhill were the visitors to Palmerston this afternoon in SPFL Trust Trophy action. Thankfully for the South there was to be no cup shock in what was a potential ?banana skin? for the hosts, Ruari Paton?s first-half penalty was added to by Lee Connelly and a sumptuous Panenka from Wullie Gibson in the second period as the hosts walked out comfortable winners.

 

 

There was a debut for Max Johnston at right-back as Queens reverted to a back four with Wullie Gibson playing in central midfield. Paton started up-front next to Ruben Junior.

 

A debut for Johnston

 

Despite avoiding the classic cup upset Queens were close to finding themselves down after just two minutes when a Justin Devenny cross was inches away from meeting the head of Ross Kavanagh six-yards from goal.

 

After the early wake-up call though it was very much one-way-traffic, albeit Queens struggled to test Jamie Smith in the Broomhill goal.

 

After six minutes though Aidan Cassidy was guilty of a shove on Ruari Paton in the area and referee Peter Stuart pointed to the spot. Paton made no mistake of tucking away the penalty he won, sending Smith the wrong way.

 

Paton is fouled in the box to win the penalty

Paton slams home the penalty

 

The first-half was, as expected, dominated by Queens, although Smith wasn?t much more than a spectator due to some poor finishing.

 

Johnston was threatening on his debut from the right, his cross meeting the head of Connelly in the area but he wasn?t able to glance it on target.

 

The Doonhamers were threatening from corners too. Paul McKay won his fair share in the area but, like Connelly, wasn?t able to direct any of his headers on target.

 

Gibson had Queens? only other shot on target in the opening 45, controlling a loop clearance on his thigh before volleying from distance into the grateful hands of Smith.

 

Queens? number 10 Connelly then fired narrowly wide with a bending effort from 25 yards out as the first-half drew to a close.

 

 

A solid first 45 for Queens who, in truth, didn?t need to get out of first gear. Take nothing away from the visitors though who, despite offering little going forward, were impressive with their sturdy defensive performance.

 

Being a goal down though, Broomhill were always going to come out slightly more attacking in the second period, and that they did, leaving slightly more space for Queens in behind.

 

Our lead should have been doubled on 54 minutes as Connelly?s cross was blocked as far as Paton who tapped home just inches from goal. The effort was ruled out for offside though, a controversial decision that Paton was none too happy with,

picking up a yellow card for insinuating that the linesman perhaps should have worn his spectacles.

 

Paton cannot hide his disappointment at the offside call

 

One did become two on 62 minutes though after Junior?s pass to Paton allowed the Irishman to play in Lee Connelly, who made no mistake in slotting past Smith to net his first goal for the Doonhamers.

 

Connelly nets

 

It had been coming for Queens and it had been coming for a long time for Connelly, whose myriad of assists have helped Queens greatly this season, but it was brilliant to see him bag his first of many, I?m sure.

 

Johnston almost bagged a debut goal on 70 minutes after bursting a gut to overlap Harry Cochrane, his shot well blocked by Smith?s trailing right-leg.

 

Queens did score a third, and a second penalty, after Regan O?Sullivan was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area after Junior?s shot.

 

A good spot by the referee for the second penalty

 

With Paton being subbed off minutes earlier, up stepped Wullie Gibson for Queens, the skipper nonchalantly chipping his effort into the goal.

 

Gibson chips home his penalty

 

With five subs available to the gaffer there was a debut for Ben Liddle, and appearances for Niyah Joseph, Euan East, Calvin McGrory and Dom McMahon in the final half hour.

 

 

A good, solid outing for the Doonhamers who eased into the next round of this years SPFL Trust Trophy.

 

Credit to Broomhill who gave a good account of themselves, there was no doubt that the part-time side were tiring after 60 or 70 minutes, but they never disgraced themselves.

 

The best of luck to David Gormley and his side in their Lowland League campaign this season.

 

Queens? win mean we will play Partick Thistle at Palmerston on the weekend of 9^th/10^th October.