TABLE TOPPERS……

Queens climbed back to the top of the table after Saturdays 2-0 home win against Ross County, and at the same time continued their record of having scored in every game at Palmerston this season.

Boss Gordon Chisholm began with the same starting x1 that defeated Airdrie Utd last week,and Queens attacking the Portland Drive end took the game to the visitors from the start. Good play involving Burns and Quinn created an early chance for McLaren,but after beating a defender with a nice touch his shot from twelve yards flew high and wide of the target. Queens continued to create the best of the chances and it was no surprise when they took the lead on 26 minutes. The visitors cleared the ball from their penalty area and as the ball bounced loose Paul Burns seized on the ball and in an instance drove a tremendous half volley high into the net for a brilliant opener.

The game was coming to life and Hutton was forced to make a decent save from Gardyne, and a Morrison free-kick hit the base of a post as County looked for a way back into the game. Then moments from the interval Queens went further ahead. Following a corner for the visitors, McLaughlan found McLaren with his clearance just short of halfway,and after slipping past one defender he played a perfect pass through another defender into the path of the on rushing Burns who looked as though he was about to score his second of the game, but unselfishly he squared the ball to Stewart Kean- who had made a 60 yard run to support him- who side footed the ball into an empty net to give Queens a perfect end to the half. The team left the field to a standing ovation after producing probably their best 45 minutes at Palmerston this season.

HALF-TIME  QUEENS 2-0 ROSS COUNTY

At 2-0 down County had to try something different and Manager Derek Adams introduced Di Giacomo and Craig and switched to a more attacking 4-3-3 line up as they went in search of the goal that would get them back into the game.For the opening period of the half County did have more of the play and Queens seemed happy to defend,soak up the pressure and attempt to hit on the break, not really what you would have expected especially as they played so well in the first half. The visitors early second half pressure nearly paid off when Wood drove an effort goalwards but Hutton reacted smartly to push the shot over the bar for a corner. It was probably down to both Goalkeepers that there was no further scoring in the game and in particular County’s Northern Irish ‘keeper Michael McGovern who prevented at least three certain goals, saving from Holmes, Kean and Lilley to keep his side in contention.

Even though County had lots of possession they did not really cause Queens too many problems as the game drew to a close. The only real further incident of note came seconds from the end of the game when Richard Brittain scythed down Stephen McKenna on the centre circle right in front of the referee. Had the incident happened earlier in the game with the result in the balance, I’m sure Brittain would have seen Red. So Queens recorded their fifth home win of the season and now lead the table on goal difference from Dundee. David Lilley was chosen as m-o-m by the sponsors and it was probably correct, but Paul Burns and David Hutton both ran him close, with County ‘keeper McGovern easily the best player for the visitors on the day.

THE WEEKEND SELECTOR….OCT 30

It’s time for the bookies to run for cover as Palmerstonblue delivers his tips for the weekend.

FAB FIVE : EVERTON-QOS-CHARLTON-SCUNTHORPE-MILLWALL

RIGHT RESULT :   STOCKPORT   1-3  NORWICH

QUEENS ENTERTAIN ROSS COUNTY….

Queens play host to Ross County tomorrow in the 1st divisions game of the day knowing that a win and with other results going their way, they could climb back to the top of the table come the end of the day.

So far this season it is advantage Ross County after two wins at Victoria Park, so Queens will be out to gain some form of revenge against the team that ended their unbeaten start to the campaign. Last season the teams had a similar record against each other, both winning and losing the two home games.

Queens captain David Lilley will be hoping to continue in celebratory fashion this weekend as  after scoring last week on his 100th appearance for the club,  tomorrow is his 32nd birthday and three points and possibly??? another goal would be a good way to celebrate the day. Incidentially, David is now the only player to have started and finished every Queens game this season.

QUEENS STROLL TO VICTORY…..

Queens cruised to a comfortable 3-0 home win on Saturday against struggling Airdrie United, to move within three points of leaders Dundee. Defender Gerry McLaughlan was the only change to the team that started against Raith last week, being drafted in to replace the not quite fit Marc McAusland meaning a first change to the starting back four this season.

The game began with a strong swirling wind circling the ground which was obviously going to affect the play, but to the credit of both teams a fairly decent game of football ensued. They may have began the game as firm underdogs, but in the first fifteen minutes or so it was the visitors who were playing the better football and they could well have taken an early lead. With only three minutes gone a smart 25- yard shot from Scott McLaughlin brought out a fine save from Queens ‘keeper Hutton as he pushed the ball away for a corner. Airdrie’s approach play in the first quarter was really quite good but they lacked the final ball when they reached the final third of the pitch-it was easy too see why they have scored so few goals so far this season. Queens were creating a few decent chances, good play involving Kean and Quinn set up a chance for McLaren but his effort was cleared off the line by an Airdrie defender, and a couple of crosses from McLaren and then Reid caused panic in the visitors defence. Queens were well on top at this stage and took the lead on twenty-seven minutes through the most unlikely of scorers. Defender David Lilley, marked his 100th start for the club by scoring only his second ever goal for Queens, as from a corner by Willie McLaren the ball was met firmly by Lilley’s knee and bounced over the line off the underside of the crossbar. Having scored once Lilley almost doubled his tally minutes later but this time his shot was too straight and Robertson saved comfortably.

David Lilley marks his 100th start for Queens with the opening goal against Airdrie Utd.Photo courtesy Sandy Robertson,qosfc.com

Two minutes later and the game was virtually over as a contest as Queens scored again. Derek Holmes curled a left foot effort goalwards from the edge of the penalty area but Robertson pulled off a great save only to see Stewart Kean react far quicker than any of the four Airdrie defenders around him to slam the ball into the empty net. The Airdrie heads went down almost to a man as they realised that there was to be no way back for them in this game. The half-time break arrived with Queens completely in control and deservedly ahead.

HALF-TIME   QUEENS 2-0  AIRDRIE UTD

The second half began with Queens having the wind at their backs and for the first few minutes they took time to adjust to the conditions as wayward passes and long hopeful balls were carried by the wind. However they soon got back into their stride and with Quinn and McKenna controlling the game more chances were made and it seemed as though more goals would come as Queens continued to dominate. The fact that only one more was scored was mainly down to the fine performance of Robertson who not for the first time(and probably not the last) this season pulled off a series of saves to prevent his side from a thrashing. He made saves from McKenna and  Quinn and best of all a tremendous flying one-handed stop from a McLaughlan overhead kick from 8 yards. A third goal did eventually arrive for Queens as the two substitutes Wilson and Wyness re-lived their Inverness days by combining for the goal. A delightful cross from Wilson allowed Wyness to head home unchallenged from six yards out.

All in all this was a fairly comfortable win for Queens who never really had to get out of first gear against an Airdrie side seriously lacking in confidence. Queens will face a much harder task in the next game against Ross County, but will go into it full of confidence after this win. Plenty of good performances  with every player doing their job well, but Rocco Quinn after a shaky start  was able to control the game and just shaded it as my m-o-m from the always industrious Stephen McKenna. A special mention as well to the 149 Airdrie fans who showed real dedication to the cause, well done to you all.

QUEENS : Hutton-Reid-Harris-McKenna-Lilley-McLaughlan-Burns-Quinn-Holmes-Kean-McLaren

SUBSTITUTES: Wilson for McLaren, Wyness for Holmes

NOT USED : McQuilken-McAusland-McGeown

GOALS : LILLEY,KEAN,WYNESS

ATT :   2094

NEXT GAME  v  ROSS COUNTY  H SFL1  OCT 30  3PM

QUEENS v AIRDRIE UTD

Airdrie Utd are the visitors to Palmerston this weekend as Queens look to bounce back from last weeks disappointing defeat at Raith. Airdrie have not had the best of starts to the season, currently lying bottom of the table without a league win to their name with  manager Kenny Black  under mounting pressure. Since being ‘re-born’ under the name of Airdrie United, they have only won once at Palmerston that being a 3-0 victory in Ian McCall’s last home game as Queens boss. Last season the Diamonds proved to be somewhat of a ‘bogey’ team for Queens, as they won twice and drew one of the four league games between the sides keeping clean sheets on three occasions. Earlier this season the teams drew 1-1 at New Broomfield, Stewart Kean scoring for Queens and Airdrie equalising 8 minutes from the end with a Bobby Donnelly goal.

Queens should be good enough to win this game but football being what it is means nobody can tell what will happen, but Queens will be very disappointed if they haven’t added three more points to their total come Saturday tea-time.

RAITH RUSSELL UP THREE POINTS…

Queens were knocked from the top of the table on Saturday as they were beaten by a single goal in Kirkcaldy,failing to score in a league game for the first time this season in the process.

Making two changes to the team that started the game against Inverness-Kean and McLaren replacing Wyness and McQuilken-Queens began the game on the front foot as they looked to achieve their third away win of the season. Dictating the play and forcing the home side back, it wasn’t long before they produced the first good chance of the contest as a 20-yard volley from McLaren flew just wide of the left-hand post. Continuing to pose all the threats it seemed a goal for Queens was inevitable, a Derek Holmes header produced a fine save from Raith ‘keeper David McGurn, and Stewart Kean’s overhead kick was only a foot or so too high. The visitors were well on top but were just unable to convert their pressure into a goal. Raith did not offer too much in the opening period, but the couple of chances they did manage involved good play by on loan Dundee United striker Johnny Russell. Firstly he skipped past two Queens defenders before firing wide from 8-yards out, and then he curled a 20-yard effort straight at Queens ‘keeper Hutton. As the game crept towards the break Queens again went close to opening the scoring and it was  down to home ‘keeper McGurn again  as he denied Kean what appeared to be a certain goal pushing the strikers effort for a corner. From the resulting kick a goal bound header from Derek Holmes was deflected just wide as Queens did everything but score in a pretty one sided first half.

HALF-TIME RAITH  0-0 QUEENS

The second half began as the first half had ended with Queens again assuming the early control, and they almost took the lead when Bob Harris found himself in a scoring position but Raith defender Iain Davidson made a superb blocking challenge on him to prevent a goal. Davidson was injured in the process and both he and Ellis were forced to leave the game due to their injuries meaning a re-shuffle for the home side.

The game was becoming a bit more equal now with the home team coming into it a bit more and they-and in particular Johnny Russell-were creating the better opportunities. After sixty-one minutes the trickery of Russell allowed him to set up a chance for Tade but the striker was just unable to connect with the ball and the opening was gone. Minutes later Russell again had another chance, this time he chose to shoot but his shot was well held by Hutton, with the unmarked Tade looking to be in a better position. Queens were still very much in the game although they weren’t dominating as they had done earlier, but on 73 minutes they could have gone ahead. A flick on by Kean set up Rocco Quinn for a volley but he shot wide of the target from 12 yards out. The pair combined again moments later this time Quinn’s effort from the edge of the box flew well wide. Williamson became the third Raith player to have his game ended by injury forcing the home side to re-shuffle the pack yet again. Then came two minutes that changed the game. ‘Keeper McGurn produced yet another good save to deny Derek Holmes, and moments later Raith scored the goal that proved to be the winner. The Queens defence were all over the place following  a Raith throw in, and when Harris and McKenna wasted the chance to clear the ball, Russell was in the right place to apply the perfect finish. It was a sloppy goal for Queens to concede and the numerous chances that they created without scoring certainly came back to haunt them as the home side held on for the win. The fact that McGurn was named as m-o-m will be of no consequence to Queens in a game in which they created enough chances to take at least a point. So once again remaining at the top of the table was beyond them,but with two home games to come they have the chance to bounce back straight away. No really outstanding performances today as the majority did well,but Holmes and Quinn were maybe just a bit ahead of the rest.

QUEENS :Hutton-Reid-Harris-McKenna-Lilley-McAusland-Burns-Quinn-Holmes-Kean-McLaren

SUBSTITUTIONS: Wilson for McLaren, Wyness for Burns.

NOT USED : McGeown-McQuilken-McLaughlan

GOAL :  Russell

ATT : 2147

NEXT MATCH:  AIRDRIE UTD SFL1  H  OCT 17 3PM

Raith 'keeper David McGurn was in top form to keep Queens from scoring.

LEAGUE LEADERS TRAVEL TO FIFE….

The first division leaders travel to Kirkcaldy tomorrow to take on Raith Rovers aiming to continue their recent good away form. Wins at Dunfermline and Inverness have helped Queens to get off to a much better start than any many fans had hoped for, and a strong contingent of travelling fans will be hoping that Queens will remain at the top of the table come Saturday evening. Queens have a good recent record at Starks Park, winning on their last two visits, and with successive home games to follow a good result against Raith would give Queens a marvellous chance of consolidating their position at the top.

Injuries will again cause the management team to delay their final starting line-up until the last possible moment, and with defender Marc McAusland being unable to train all week,  means he may be in doubt of continuing his ever present start to the season. David Weatherston pulled up again in the win at Inverness and won’t play, and ‘keeper Ludovic Roy seems as though he may face an operation on his troublesome hip/thigh, all this and the long term injuries to Craig Barr, Neil Scally and Steve Tosh leaves the Queens squad remarkably thin to say the least. However, spirit within the camp appears to be pulling everyone in the right direction and Queens are more than capable of winning this one. My verdict is Queens 2-1.

FIRST QUARTER COMPLETED…..

The first quarter of the season has now been completed after the midweek matches were played and it is Queen of the South who sit at the top of the league as Ross County, Raith and Dundee all failed in their efforts to knock Queens from top spot. No team has managed to stay unbeaten, although title favourites Dundee have lost just once-2-0 at Palmerston. There are only two points covering the top five sides, and any of the top five could claim top spot after the next set of games. At the bottom Airdrie are the only side yet to win this season. Top scorers are QOS with 18,lowest are Morton and Ayr with 6 each. Best defensive record so far belongs to both Partick and Raith who have conceded 7 goals each.

TOTAL GAMES  45     TOTAL GOALS

HOME WINS    AWAY WINS   DRAWS   NO-SCORE DRAWS

TOP GOALSCORER  DEREK HOLMES   7

HIGHEST WIN

TOP ATT

LOW ATT

BEST HOME FORM

BEST AWAY FORM

MOST CLEAN SHEETS

FIRST QUARTER TABLE

Queen of South 9 5 2 2 18  10 17  

Ross County       9 5 2 2  11    8  17   

Dundee                  9 4 4 1   13   9  16

Partick                   9 4 3 2  14   7  15

Raith Rovers      9 4 3 2  12   7  15

Inv.Cal.Thistle 9 3 3 3  12  12 12    

Dunfermline      9 3 1 5   8    11  10

Morton                   9 3 0 6  6    17  9

Ayr United           9 1 4 4    7    13  7

Airdrie Utd          9 0 4 5   6    13  4           

HOMER HITS HIGHLAND HAT-TRICK…

Striker Derek Holmes helped himself to an early birthday present as he  hit the ‘perfect’ Hat-trick on Saturday as Queens returned to the top of the table after gaining their first victory at Inverness since 1998.

Gordon Chisholm made a couple of changes to the side that were beaten by Morton last time out, with Quinn and McQuilken starting in place of Wilson and McLaren,and David Weatherston was deemed fit enough for a place on the bench. The game was only 35 seconds old when Queens took the lead. Former Thistle favourite Dennis Wyness seized on a mis-placed pass in the Caley midfield, and he found strike partner Derek Holmes who controlled the ball on his chest and then lifted his right foot shot past the stranded Esson in the home goal from fully 25-yards out. The home side were stunned by the Queens goal, but to their credit they dragged themselves back into the game and began to create some decent chances. Richie Foran was involved in most of the good play that Thistle put together, but they just didn’t have anyone else that could profit from his good work. An equaliser arrived on eighteen minutes and on the balance of play, it was well deserved as Thistle continued to ask all the questions.  Midfielder Jonny Hayes fired in a superb 22-yard free-kick that was simply too accurate for Hutton to do anything about, and the hosts were back on level terms. Queens lost Marc McAusland to injury on 37 minutes with Willie McLaren sent on as his replacement, meaning a defensive re-shuffle saw Bob Harris switch to centre-back and McQuilken slotted into Harris’ left back role. For the remainder of the half it was all Thistle as Queens sat too deep and allowed the home side to dominate but they could not find a cutting edge, although Queens ‘keeper David Hutton made a really good save moments before the break to keep the scores level at the interval.

HALF-TIME  ICT 1-1  QUEENS

Reacting to Thistle’s dominance, Gordon Chisholm sent on David Weatherston to replace Dennis Wyness and almost instantly Queens became a different proposition as both Weatherston and McLaren began to cause problems for the home defence. The pace of Weatherston will always be an asset, and McLaren has plenty of ability it is all about consistency, and in this game McLaren was consistently causing problems for Tokely,Golabek and co. The second half was a much closer affair but  just as a draw seemed to be the likely outcome it was  the visitors who regained the lead. Rocco Quinn was fouled out on the left and from the resultant free-kick he floated in an inch perfect cross and Derek Holmes glanced a header just inside the post from  six-yards out. Then in the final minute the big striker rounded off a fine performance by scoring his and Queens’ third goal of the afternoon. Stewart Kean on as a sub for the luckless David Weatherston, skipped past two defenders and cut back an inviting pass to Holmes who smashed a left foot drive into the net to complete his ‘perfect’ hat-trick and seal the win for Queens. What a difference from last week with every player contributing to the victory. Obvious m-o-m was Derek Holmes who may now be showing the ‘Palmerston boo boys’ a thing or too-why do they even bother to attend games??, and good performances from McLaren and Harris as well. So Queens top the table for now, and although it is more than likely that  midweek results will change the situation, this was a very good win for Queens and a great way to end the first Quarter of the season.

QUEENS:Hutton-Reid-Harris-McKenna-Lilley-McAusland-Burns-Quinn-Holmes-Wyness-McQuilken.

SUBS: McLaren for McAusland,Weatherston for Wyness, Kean for Weatherston.

NOT USED : Roy-Wilson

SCORERS:  ICT  Hayes(19)  QUEENS  Holmes(1-83-90)

NEXT GAME:  v  RAITH ROVS   A  SFL1  OCT 17  3PM

 

What a good weekend for Derek Holmes,scoring the quickest goal of the season, a hat-trick and a birthday as well!!

ON THE ROAD TO THE HIGHLANDS…

Queens make the long trip to  Inverness to take on Caley Thistle tomorrow in a fixture that has not been played for six seasons, the last meeting between the clubs being a 4-1 victory for Caley in April 2004. The teams have met 19 times previously, Queens have won seven times, Caley nine with three games ending as draws.Queens do not have a good league record up in Inverness winning only once in eight attempts- 2-0 back in March ‘98- with the other seven all being home wins.

Queens will make a last minute decision with regards to the starting line-up as Rocco Quinn, Craig Reid, and Marc McAusland have all been suffering from a flu bug that has swept through the team this week. Former Inverness players Barry Wilson and Dennis Wyness return to try and inflict misery on their previous employers, and Gordon Chisholm will hope that last week’s dismal display against Morton is now well out of the system. Thistle will be on a high after last weeks Alba cup win over neighbours Ross County, and will be hoping that they can carry that performance into their league campaign which has begun rather slowly with just two wins from their opening seven fixtures. If Queens can get something from this game it will be a bonus, they are good enough to get a result but it will all depend on which Queens team turns up!!!! By the way if any ICT fans are reading this, whatever happened to Vetle Andersen???