After a blank weekend last week thanks to Raith`s involvement in the Ramsdens Cup Final, Queens return to competitive action against Falkirk at Palmerston on Saturday at the start of a crucial week for our end of season prospects. We sit in 4th spot and are looking to confirm that playoff position as soon as possible. Results have helped us over the last couple of weeks but there is still much to play for as we face our penultimate home game and the only one of our remaining five against a team currently above us.
Although we are currently eight points behind Falkirk, we have a game in hand against Raith Rovers to be played on Tuesday coming and a win on Saturday could conceivably see us only two points behind the `Bairns` by next weekend with still three games to go. Third spot is certainly not out of the question. Over our shoulder, Livingston`s loss to Morton last week was a handy result for us but Dumbarton`s comfortable win over Alloa moved them to within three points. We have a game in hand and a much better goal difference but with the Sons to play away in a week`s time, it`s important we try to stretch that gap between now and then.
Nine points will get us to the playoffs for sure but with the Sons having the top two to play in their last two fixtures we`d hope that even six might well be enough. It`s still 3rd we`re looking at though and if we want to stand any chance of getting that then beating Falkirk is a "must".
The head to heads between the clubs this season have been tight. Back in October, Rory Loy`s double, including a late winner, saw the Bairns triumph 2-1 on their own ground. In December the first meeting at Palmerston was abandoned midway through the first half due to high winds with the game still scoreless but when it was rearranged in February we fully deserved our 2-0 win though the goals both came late courtesy of Gavin Reilly. Most recently of all in a very tight contest, Falkirk won 1-0 7 weeks ago courtesy of a controversial last minute penalty awarded against former Falkirk full back Chris Mitchell for handball.
Queens will hopefully have a full squad to pick from though there have been one or two injuries in the camp which forced a handful of players to sit out last weekend`s Paul Burns testimonial and rest. Our visitors meanwhile will surely miss the division`s top scorer, Dumfries born Rory Loy, who is suspended for the weekend`s contest. They recently also parted company with his most regular strike partner this season, Phil Roberts. The English striker was on the end of a lengthy suspension following his sending off at Alloa and the decision was taken to mutually cancel his contract. That is likely to mean more chances for Falkirk`s conveyor belt of young talent in the coming weeks.
The support this year has been crucial at times in pushing the team towards their targets. Let`s raise the roof again on Saturday.