Quite the game at Palmerston tonight as Queens and Morton clashed again in Development League West. The two finished 1st and 2nd in the League last season and were both unbeaten coming into the game, albeit Queens Park, who have played more games, sit top.

Queens named a strong side including 5 overage players as Gary Naymsith looked to give some match action to some of the first team squad members who haven't been starting lately, In particular it was an opportunity for James McFadden to get 90 minutes in his legs as he looks to build up match sharpness. However, it was the visitors who came out of the traps like greyhounds and took their chances in a wide open first half. They were already in front inside the first 30 seconds when Scott Tiffoney drilled home but Queens pegged them back when Shaun Rooney flicked in Bell's low free kick from inside the six yard box in 11 minutes. It was only a temporary respite though as Morton rammed in three more goals over the next 15 minutes to take a 4-1 lead. Ben Armour, Reece Lyon and Jack Purdoe grabbing the goals. The 4th in particular was a terrific goal with Purdoe sent clear by a wonderful Tiffoney pass. It could have been worse as Queens twice cleared corners off the line within a minute but just after the half hour Andy Stirling's deep cross found McFadden at the back post and he twisted outside a defender before firing home from a wide angle across the goalkeeper.

The second half appeared likely not to hold as much drama as the first half as there were no further goals until the 75th minute when Ross Fergusson pulled another goal back after going through on the Morton goal. Thereafter it became 'The Faddy Show'. On 77 minutes Queens were awarded a somewhat controversial penalty which saw Morton's right back, Mitchell Duffy, sent off for disputing the award. McFadden stepped up to equalise from the penalty spot and within a minute completed his hat trick with a close range header after Rooney headed the ball back across goal. Morton were demoralised by that and several chances were missed to add further to the score before McFadden grabbed his 4th on a breakaway late on. Final score QoS 6 - 4 Morton.

Click here for the match photo gallery.

Team:
Jack Leighfield, Bailey White, Ewan Gourlay, Owen Bell, Adam Uphill, Dan Harvey, Andy Stirling, Connor Murray, Ross Fergusson, James McFadden, Shaun Rooney