Queen of the South got the 2013-14 season underway in fine fashion as they comfortably saw off non-league Spartans by 4-0 in the Ramsdens Cup First Round at Palmerston Park.

The 2013 winners of the competition put themselves into a commanding position early in the game with a brace from Stephen McKenna either side of a Derek Lyle goal making the scoreline 3-0 after just 22 minutes.  All three goals came from Chris Mitchell deliveries from set-pieces.  The home side`s intensity dropped in the second half but Kevin Holt rounded off the victory with a header from close range. 

Queens manager Jim McIntyre said: “Pleased, very pleased.  The name of the game in cup competitions is to get yourself into the hat for the next round and we`ve done that comfortably. 

“Any time we put cross balls into the box we looked a real threat.  We`re trying to encourage the players to do that more from open play as well as set plays.  The boys have done well and big McKenna is a real threat with his size and power so it was great to see him get a couple of goals.”

Stephen McKenna: “Last season I scored one goal so that`s me already doubled my tally!  Not bad to start the season off.  It was maybe asking a bit too much to get a hattrick.  I`m happy with my two goals.

“The gaffer`s been drumming it into me since he came in that he wanted me to get more goals and get runs into the box.  I was quite hesitant to be honest about trying it because I`m so comfortable playing the sitting role but I`ve taken it on board and I`m just trying to give it my best shot and it seems to be working so far.

“I think it`s great to get the result in the first real game of the season.  Obviously the second half the gaffer and the boys weren`t happy with the second half performance but the legs had sort of went a wee bit because it`s still early on, we`re still getting our fitness.  At the end of the day it`s great to get the first win under our belt.”