This weekend sees Queens face as big a fixture as we have all season. It`s Dumbarton away. We`re sitting in 4th spot, the last of the playoff slots. They are 5th and behind us only on goal difference. There are seven goals between the sides. We looked in a strong position a fortnight ago but we`ve lost our last two whilst Dumbarton have won their last two and suddenly we are facing a virtual cup final. With only two matches left after Saturday it`s going to be an extremely difficult task for Saturday`s loser to get 4th. If it`s a draw the final two games could be extraordinarily tense.
Although Dumbarton are the only team outside the top three to have beaten us this season other than Raith Rovers, we have a decent record against them to date. They won 2-1 at Palmerston back in September but we responded with a 1-0 win at Bet Butler Stadium in December. Our scorer in both games was ex-Son Iain Russell. Our most recent meeting in March saw Queens storm into an early lead and eventually win 3-1 with goals from Durnan, Reilly and McHugh before Miller pulled one back late on. Something similar would be very welcome on Saturday!
The home side will be without Garry Fleming who is serving a one match suspension following his 6th booking of the season. Queens have nobody suspended yet, though Derek Lyle will miss the final game at Cowdenbeath after collecting his own 6th booking on Tuesday at Kirkcaldy. However we do though have fitness issues. Experienced playmaker Mark Kerr has missed the last two games with a niggling injury whilst both Michael Paton and Bob McHugh missed out on Tuesday. One or two others picked up knocks on Tuesday and will have treatment between now and the weekend. The manager will need to take it all into consideration before selecting his side.
There will no doubt be a big travelling support for the game and it`s to be hoped the fixture is not blighted by the sort of traffic problems that affected both the Falkirk and Raitrh games. Let`s hope the performance on the pitch matches that off it. Come on the Queens!