It`s back to Palmerston this weekend for Queens as we take on Cowdenbeath for the 3rd time this season. The Fife side were probably the visitors for our poorest home performance of the season, a 1-1 draw back in October that certainly flattered us, and the team will be looking to set that right on Saturday. We did win 2-0 at Central Park just after Christmas but that was one of a number of games around that time spoiled by high winds. `Cowden` will feel they didn`t do themselves justice that day.
Last week`s crucial win at Alloa kept us three points clear in 4th spot but Dumbarton have a game in hand and their 5-1 win over the Central Park club pulled them a bit closer in goal difference terms also. With two home games against the bottom two in the next week we`ll be looking to tighten our grip on a playoff place although a midweek trip to Dundee in between will not prove easy.
Since a couple of home defeats back in September Queens have turned Palmerston into a difficult place to come again with only Hamilton in November and Dundee five weeks ago managing a win here. In fact nobody outside the top four has beaten us at all since Dumbarton did back in September so we have good reason to feel good about our chances. However, although they sit at the wrong end of the table Cowdenbeath`s form has been decent enough lately, that heavy defeat at Dumbarton aside, and they should not be taken lightly. Jimmy Nicholl has them fighting for every point and in Kane Hemmings they have the division`s top scorer, albeit he has missed the last couple of games through injury and it remains to be seen if he`ll make it back for Saturday. Queens have a full squad to choose from other than Stephen McKenna of course and Jim McIntyre will no doubt have some difficult decisions to make in his selection.
It`s been good to see the crowds creeping up recently so lets hope there is another good home support to cheer the boys on ahead of Paul Burns` Testimonial Dinner up at the Easterbrook Hall on Saturday night. Three points I`m sure would put everyone in a good mood for their evening.