It was earlier than usual for us this weekend as we travelled to Broadwood for a Friday night game under the lights against Hamilton. As Accies share the stadium, the match was brought forward due to Cumbernauld Colts having a home game in the Scottish Cup. With Mikey Hewitt picking up a broken arm at the Balmoor Stadium last weekend, he was out and was one of three changes made to the starting eleven. Ben Johnstone and Kian Leslie were the other two to miss out as they dropped to the bench. In their place, Benji Luissint returned from injury with Jack Stott and Zander Mackenzie also getting the nod.

The hosts had been division one leaders until they were deducted six points by the league for a breach of rules the day before so it was going to be a tough challenge but after a poor showing at Peterhead in the last outing Manager Peter Murphy was looking for a reaction and he got one.

Right from kick-off Queens were on the front foot and secured their first corner after just a couple of minutes when Cale Loughrey cleared. Kai Kennedy floated it into the box and as Brennan Dickenson attacked the home side turned it out again. This time as Kennedy played it into a similar area, Dickenson headed wide.

Two minutes later, Kennedy had a shot from the edge of the box blocked. And as Queens continued to push Dickenson was up along with Reece Lyon and as the latter won the break of the ball off Loughrey, with force he played it across the park, Kennedy managed to keep it in but the move fizzled out.

As Accies came more into the game a slip by Matty Douglas allowed Oli Shaw to break away but Ross Stewart was quick off his line to collect ahead of the striker. Taylor Charters then made a good block from Steven Bradley.

But just as John Rankin’s men looked more of a threat, it was Queens who made the pressure pay off. Mackenzie played a good ball in to Stott at the edge of the area and although the home defense cut out the initial ball it fell nicely to Jack who got the chance to have another go and this time he hit the ball sweetly with the outside of his right boot to take the ball away form the keeper and into the net to give the visitors the lead after 18 minutes.

Midway through the half, the Queens attackers claimed for handball against Loughrey but Colin Steven played on and as Kevin O’Hara delivered the ball from the left at the other end, Scott Robinson was off target with his header. Shaw then fired a shot straight into the arms of Stewart.

It was end to end and as Kennedy played in a corner, Douglas met it with a header at the back post but Jamie Smith collected. Douglas again found himself inside the box but this time his shot was wildly off target.

As the home side pushed forward, Douglas, Jack Hannah and Mackenzie all made clearances but couldn’t get it far enough up the park and were finding themselves pinned back but they held out. Queens went on the hunt again and Liam Smith was booked for diving as he went down on the 18-yard line.

Back up the other end, Connor Smith worked his way into space before Robinson had his shot turned out for a corner and as it was played in Mackenzie who had taken over the right-back role headed clear. The hosts won another corner but this time it was an easy take for Stewart.

In the closing stages of the first half, Dickenson made a run from the left but his shot was deflected for a corner. As Kennedy played the ball in, Dickenson and Smith both had attempts blocked. Queens were certainly up for the fight and in added on time Kennedy worked hard inside the box to have a shot but the keeper got down to push it out and with the final attempt before the interval, Charters tried to curl a left foot shot from outside the box that looked to be heading for the top corner before the keeper saved.

HALF TIME: Hamilton 0 Queens 1

As the second half got underway, Kennedy and Lyon linked up on the left and as they set up a chance for Smith, his namesake Connor almost turned the ball into his own net. Charters then forced Loughrey to make a clearance and the keeper got down to collect a shot from Smith.

Queens continued to put Accies under pressure and as Stott made a run into the box he looked set to add to his tally for the night but the ball took a nasty bauble and bounced back behind him. It had been a good night for Queens so far but on the hour mark their already extensive injury list was added to when Dickenson pulled up holding his hamstring as he made a break.

It was a blow for the visitors but they didn’t let their heads drop and as Lyon picked up a loose ball, he found Stott with a pass who played it on for Kennedy, his effort was saved by the keeper and as a Smith pounced on the rebound his shot was blocked.

Queens had Accies under pressure and as the ball was floated in from the right, Lyon nodded the ball down for Freddie O’Donoghue who had come on for the injured Dickenson, the youngster’s shot was cleared away before Douglas fired wide.

It was a very attacking performance from Queens and with just over twenty minutes left to play of normal time, Kennedy fired a free-kick into the back-post area and as the ball dropped behind the keeper, under pressure from Smith, Loughrey bundled the ball into his own net to double Queens advantage.

However, the deficit was reduced three minutes later when Smith hit a right foot shot from outside the box past Stewart into the top corner. The goal gave Accies a lift and Queens were fortunate to maintain the lead when a mix-up between Stewart and Hannah at the back let the ball fall to Kyle MacDonald, only for him to shoot straight at the keeper.

With fifteen to play, Queens had a strong claim for a penalty when Smith was challenged inside the box but it wasn’t given and the game played on. Minutes later, Kennedy played the ball across the box from the left but it was just out of O’Donoghue’s reach.

In the closing stages, Accies threw everything at Queens as they pushed for an equalizer and as they had their backs to the wall, Hannah and Mackenzie both did well to clear. O’Hara then skied one over the bar for the hosts before Stuart McKinstry headed over.

In additional time, Bradley was high and wide of the post with his effort before Lyon hit a low shot that the keeper got down to hold.

With six additional minutes played, the ref finally called time on an entertaining game and Queens claimed a valuable and deserved three points.

FULL TIME: Hamilton Accies 1 Queens 2