As we welcomed FC Edinburgh to Palmerston for the first time, manager Wullie Gibson made three changes to the side that started the last home game. Following his transfer deadline day arrival, Scott Fox started in goal ahead of Max Currie while defender Paul McKay returned from suspension and Iain Wilson was back from injury. The other two players dropping to the bench were Harry Cochrane and Lee Connelly.

Our home form has been questionable this season but right from the start Queens looked up for it today and in the opening minutes Stephen Hendrie looked a threat with a drive across goal. It was the same player that tested Robbie Mutch after ten minutes, with another low drive, but this time the keeper got down low to save.

Ruari Paton was also proving a handful and ten minutes later Mutch again had to get down to save his right foot effort. Queens were well in control of the game and with relentless pressure, FC Edinburgh had to defend as Gavin Reilly tried to make space and again Mutch made another block to deny Paton.

Despite being on top, Queens were finding it hard to break through, but they continued to push, and Calvin McGrory found Hendrie with a great cross ball, but the move ended with Wilson firing over.

Playing further up the park this afternoon, McGrory`s shot was on target, but Jack Brydon got in the way. It was one way traffic and further good work by Paton set up another chance for Hendrie, but it was Lee Hamilton’s turn to clear.

As the clock ticked down on the first half, McGrory fired over, and Paton almost found the bottom corner with a shot before dragging another wide at the near post. Queens still had nothing to show for their efforts until a minute before the break. Euan East burst forward from the back and as he played the ball to McGrory, he made a great pass to Paton who took it in and finished well to give Queens a well-deserved lead. Paton did have another chance right on half time but was wide of goal.

HALF TIME: Queens 1 FC Edinburgh 0

As expected, the visitors came out with a bit more fight after the break but never did enough to trouble Fox and it was still the home side who looked more of a threat. Josh Todd delivered a good ball across goal, but it was just out of reach of Paton.

Although they were still dominating the game, Queens looked for a wee spark and with fifteen minutes remaining, the Gaffer came off the bench in place of McGrory and gave on loan forward Ewan Barge his debut as he replaced Ciaran McKenna.

The substitutions had an impact and a goal burst in the space of a seven-minute window saw Queens put the game way beyond their guests. East found himself up at the 18-yard box and as the defender unleashed a strike, he beat Mutch as the ball came off the inside of the post.

Two minutes later, the boss had his first assist of the afternoon with a long ball up field to fellow sub Bange who lifted the ball over the keeper into the net. And then five minutes later as Hendrie’s shot was blocked Gibson played the ball across the box to Paton who smashed the ball into the net at the back post to make it four.
Paton then turned provider as he played in Hendrie, he looked certain to score at the near post, but his shot lacked power and the keeper saved on the line.

It was already a historic afternoon with it being the first ever visit of FC Edinburgh to Palmerston, but with three minutes of normal time to go, another piece of Scottish football history took place as Lewis Gibson came off the bench to replace the inspirational Paton. His home debut saw him join his Dad on the park to make it the first time a father and son played in the same side.

A positive and heartening performance was spoiled slightly in added on time as referee Duncan Williams awarded a penalty against Dave McKay as Ousman See went down at the edge of the box. Although Fox dived the correct way, he couldn’t stop Ryan Shanley`s spot kick giving the Capital side a late consolation.

The two sides go head-to-head at Palmerston again on Thursday in the SPFL Trust Trophy.

FULL TIME: Queens 4 FC Edinburgh 1