Our games continue this week with a trip to East Kilbride for the first of our KDM Evolution Trophy matches.

Tuesday’s opponents are new to the league having won promotion to league two via the play-offs at the end of last season. After an opening day defeat, a one-nil win over Elgin City at the weekend leaves them fifth in the table.

This isn’t our first visit to K Park having played them last year in the group stages of the Premier Sports Cup when we came from behind to win 3-1 thanks to goals from Josh Walker, Reece Lyon and Brennan Dickenson.

With a new format for the competition this game is the first of six group matches. Sides will collect three points for a win and one point for a draw. Clubs who finish in positions 1-22 in the league phase progress to the Round of 32, where they will be joined by the William Hill Championship clubs.

Ahead of the match, manager Peter Murphy said “We played them last year and they were excellent. They’re now in league two and have spent money to push for the title so we know it’s going to be tough. In some ways it’s good to have a game quickly after Saturday’s disappointment as it gives us a chance to get that out of our system and it is lucrative if we get through but I don’t like the competition. It doesn’t benefit teams in league one or two with the squads that we have. Adding another six games on the back of a league campaign and when we have just got over the Premier Sport Cup games.”

SUPPORTERS INFORMATION

Tickets are available to purchase via Fanbase via the following link. You will receive a QR code for entry: - 

https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=13780

Prices are:

Adults: £15.00

Concessions: £10.00

Under 16s: £5.00

The match will take place at K-Park Training Academy, Calderglen Country Park, Strathaven Road, East Kilbride, G75 0QZ (the pitch is situated approximately 100 yards from the entrance of the Country Park on the left-hand side).

• Car parking at K-Park is restricted to players and officials only. Spectators are requested to use the parking area in Colonsay Field which is to the left of the main Country Park entrance. There is additional space in Kelvin Industrial Estate across the Strathaven Road.
• Supporter’s buses should use the drop off/pick up layby near the entrance to the Country Park.
• Spot checks may be undertaken on entry for banned pyro/flares etc
• Alcohol is not permitted at the match. Any spectator found to be in possession of alcohol, or who is deemed to be heavily under the influence of alcohol, will be asked to leave the facility. Smoking (in any form) is strictly prohibited within the boundaries of K-Park.
• All spectators are reminded that the K-Park Training Academy and the Country Park are family orientated community facilities. All spectators are expected to behave in an appropriate manner that respects the facilities and other users, both in terms of their ‘language’ and actions.
• Spectators should follow the guidance of stewards when requested.

Kick Off: 7.45pm

We are delighted to announce the arrival of goalkeeping coach John Gibson to the club.

Following the departure of Jon Connolly the club have been looking for a replacement and with over two decades of experience John will hopefully be a good fit for the club.

In a playing career that spanned more than 10 years as a professional, John played for both Dundee clubs as well as Alloa and Clyde.

Manager Peter Murphy said “John’s experience of the game includes working with academy players as well as elite professionals so by bringing him in it will hopefully benefit the whole club. However, his priority will be working with the first team squad and being an integral part of the management team. We welcome him on board and look forward to working with him.”

John himself added “It’s good to be back involved at a club at one of the top levels in football working with players on a regular basis. I’ve got my own goalkeeping academy along with Tony Curran so we have already worked closely with Ross Stewart and I’m looking forward to cracking on.”

Hamilton Accies were the visitors to Palmerston for our first home game in the league. With Jack Hannah still recovering from a rib injury he picked up last week and unavailable, manager Peter Murphy brought Mikey Hewitt back into the side in the one change from the team that started at Cove Rangers.

After a terrific performance in Aberdeen hopes were high going into the game. There wasn’t much between the sides for the opening spell and although there was a lot of decent play goal-mouth chances were limited. The first of the game fell to Kevin O’Hara who had a right foot effort that flew over the bar.

At the other end, Liam Smith played a good ball into to the box that was hooked away. It fell to Kai Kennedy who played a one – two with Ben Johnstone, they still couldn’t get the ball in until Callum Penman found Reece Lyon only for the attack to fizzle out.

As the visitors started to take a grip of the game, they looked stronger and faster and midway through the half, O’Hara found himself in space, this time his right foot effort was collected by Ross Stewart.

Stewart was beaten a minute later though when Connor Smith hit a wonder strike past him from 35-yards to open the scoring.

It was one way traffic now and on the half hour mark, as Matty Douglas slipped, Stewart made a great save to deny Oli Shaw. A minute later the striker held the line but fired a right foot shot high over the bar.

The keeper was having a busy time of it and again held as Steven Bradley tried to find a second. The Accies attack was relentless and the Queens number one hardly had time to catch a breath before he made a block from Shaw. As the ball fell inside the six-yard box, Penman cleared the shot before Shaw had a second chance that Stewart blocked with his feet at the post to put it out for corner.

With ten minutes of the first half remaining, a quick ball in to the near post was hit first time by Smith but again, Stewart saved his side.

There was nothing he could do five minutes later when a trialist for Hamilton hit a stunning right foot shot from 25-yards that sailed into the net. The keeper did try to get a hand to it but it was so close to the underside of the crossbar that he didn’t have a chance.

HALF TIME: Queens 0 Hamilton Accies 2

Queens had Stewart to thank for it only being two at the break but they made storming start to the second half and Taylor Charters burst through the middle before finding Smith out on the right, his delivery to the back post found Lyon who headed home just 22 seconds after the restart.

The goal gave the team and the fans a lift and minutes later Kennedy and Lyon combined to win a corner but the visitors managed to clear any danger.

On top and causing problems, Queens had Accies worried, Charters hit a free-kick from the side of the box that looked to be curling into the top corner but Jamie Smith got a touch on it to push it out.

However, the comeback faded a minute later, eight minutes after the break when Smith grabbed his second, Accies third with another shot from distance that curled past Stewart from 20-yards to restore their two-goal advantage.

The home side huffed and puffed and Johnstone had a half chance before Kurtis Guthrie who had been isolated for much of the game got his head on the end of a Lyons cross but he was underneath it and couldn’t direct it past the keeper.

Just after the hour mark, things got worse for Queens when Bradley got the better of Charters and Stewart to slot the ball into the net to make it four.

Midway through the half, Queens latest signing, Freddie O’Donoghue looked lively after coming off the bench and on the six-yard line he tried to force a way through but Lee Kilday made the challenge giving Smith the chance to retrieve the ball.

The rest of the game passed with a mixture of substitutions and bookings to round off a disappointing afternoon.

FULL TIME: Queens 1 Hamilton Accies 4

Team: Stewart, Hewitt, Charters, Lyon, Douglas, Smith, Luissint, Kennedy, Penman (O’Donoghue 64), Johnstone (Stott 64) & Guthrie (Ross 84). Subs not used: Thomson, Rogerson, McLinden, Hall & Gray.

Ref: Greg Soutar

Click here for the match photo gallery from the game versus Hamilton today.

Click here for the match gallery from the Under 17s match versus Dundee.  Photos from Sandy Robertson.

Ahead of our game against Hamilton tomorrow we are delighted to have added Freddie O’Donoghue to the squad.

The 18-year-old striker joins us on loan from Carlisle United.

After joining the Brunton Park side on a scholarship deal he impressed then manager, Paul Simpson during pre-season and made his debut against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Trophy.

Manager Peter Murphy said “With the injuries we have we have been keen to bring in an addition forward player.  Freddie is young but he is enthusiastic, has good pace and the right attitude.  He can play in a number of different positions so we are happy to have him join the squad and look forward to watching him develop his career.”

We are at Palmerston tomorrow for our first home game of the league one season.

After our opening day victory away at Cove Rangers last weekend we welcome Hamilton Accies for this one. Relegated at the end of last season due to sanctions imposed by the authorities, Hamilton don’t have their troubles to seek but will be looking for a quick return to the Championship.

Both sides have an identical record after the first game and sit second and third in the table.

Ahead of the match, Manager Peter Murphy said “Hamilton had a win last week too, so like ourselves they will be looking to build on that and try to put an early run together. We know that in this division consistency is key. The performance at Cove was excellent and it set a level that we want to maintain. It’s a home game for us and we will be looking to replicate the home form of last season; but we don’t have any divine right to win games so we will have to be ready.”

Supporters Information

HOME supports will be located within The Thompson Solicitors stand, along with the West section of the BDS and the Oakbank Terracing. While for this match, section 7 in the East side of the BDS has been allocated to AWAY fans.

To gain entry to the BDS stand – HOME supporters should use turnstiles 1 & 2, with AWAY fans entering via turnstile 3 & 4. Disabled access for Away fans is via Gate H on the south side of the BDS stand. Entry to the Oakbank Terrace will be via turnstiles 16 & 17 only. While fans should use turnstiles 4 & 22 for entry to the Thompson Solicitors stand. Please note that there will be no general entry to the BDS Stand via the terracing so please make sure you enter the ground via the correct turnstiles.

Turnstiles will be open for spectator entry at approximately 1345.

Supporters are reminded that ongoing works at the Ice Bowl means there is no vehicle access to the lane at the back of the BDS stand. An area has been fenced off to create a walk-way for pedestrians.

Entry is by ticket. Tickets are now on sale for both home and away fans online via our ticket partner TicketCo, using the link below:

www.qosfc.com/buytickets

Season Tickets come into force and can be purchased ahead of kick off:

Adults: £320
Concessions (OAP): £192

16 -21-year-olds/Students: £120

Accessible Adult: £100 (includes a free carer)

Accessible Concession/16-21-year-old: £56

U16s: £18

On the day ticket prices are:

Adults: £20
Concessions (OAP): £12

16–21-year-olds/Students: £10

Accessible Tickets: £8 (includes a free carer)

Accessible Concession: £6 (includes a free carer)
U16s: £5

Accessible U16s: £3

Tickets will be available online until kick off or at the ground on the day of the game from the ticket office located within the QOS Arena which will open approximately 1230. There will be no ticket office at the BDS stand for this match.

The only way to buy tickets in advance will be online.

Tickets purchased are non-transferable or refundable.

Car parking will be available to all spectators within the Queen of the South Arena car park on a first come first served basis.

Supporters’ buses/minibuses should drop off their passengers in Terregles St/King Street and thereafter park on College Mains road just off the roundabout with the A76 on the town bypass (adjacent to Curry’s/PC World, as the other side at Aldi is the access road to the ambulance depot and is extremely busy). Pick up should be the same location as drop off.

Supporters’ buses including minibuses will not be allowed to park in the Arena car park.

Those travelling should check Traffic Scotland website at http://trafficscotland.org/index.aspx for confirmation of any road closures or delays.

The catering outlets within the supporter’s areas of the ground will be open for use. Fans should note that these kiosks are cash only. If you are looking for catering before entering the ground, The Snaq café within the Arena will be open and will have a range of food/snacks on offer and will accept card. The lounge bar under the Main stand will also be open to both sets of supporters’ pre-match.

For safety reasons, QOS have adopted a robust and thorough search policy for spectators entering the ground to ensure that ground rules and regulations are strictly adhered to, especially in relation to pyrotechnic devices and controlled containers. We would like to remind supporters that letting off smoke devices/ pyrotechnics is a criminal offence, and anyone found doing so will be referred to Police Scotland. Not only is it against the law, it is also extremely dangerous and a health hazard to other spectators. All bags will be searched and spectators presenting themselves for entry may also be subject to search. Spectators who refuse to be searched by stewards will be denied entry to the ground.

Palmerston Park is a non-smoking venue; this includes e cigarettes and other such devices. Stewards are empowered to eject spectators who disobey these rules. No persons will be admitted to the ground who are deemed to be under the influence of alcohol.

The club shop located in the Arena will be open until kick off where you can purchase our club merchandise. Including half-time draw tickets.

Tomorrow’s match kicks off at 3 pm.

In light of three SPFL sides this week being hit with punishments relating to pyrotechnics we would like to take the opportunity ahead of our first home game in the league to reminder all supporters that it is an offence to bring them into the stadium.

These devices are illegal and anyone caught with them in their possession will be reported to Police Scotland. As well as it being against the law to enter the ground with them, they are a health and safety risk to fellow supporters, players and staff. And the club are at risk of being in breach of the rules, which will have consequences.

Therefore, while we encourage all supporters to attend games, we ask that those coming along get behind the team but do so safely and with respect of others.