The new season kicked off in warm conditions at Palmerston as we welcomed Kelty Hearts for our first league cup match in group A. There were several familiar faces in Nicky Clark’s line-up with a couple of trialists also in the side.

Twelve minutes in the first real chance of the game fell to the Gaffer when he got on the end of a ball in from the right but as he caught it on the volley, his right foot effort was high. Two minutes later, Niall Rogerson was in the centre of the field, 20-yards out when he collected a pass from Clark but his right foot shot was over too.

As Kelty looked to open the scoring, Lewis Moore miscued his shot at the edge of the area. The visitors were enjoying a decent spell and midway through the half, Ross Cunningham found the net with a great strike into the top corner.

However, Queens hit back and just three minutes later, they were back level when Clark steered the ball home from close range.

The visitors came close to restoring their lead when Callum Flatman got on the end of a free-kick but his header came back off the post. With five minutes of the first half remaining, Kurtis Guthrie hit a right foot shot from eight yards but Jamie Smith reacted well and blocked with his feet.

The trialist keeper that Queens had in goal was called upon when he tipped the ball over from Cunningham before he got down to save from Finlay Moffett to keep the score level at the interval.

Half Time: Queens 1 Kelty Hearts 1

After the break it was Queens who had the first chance when Jack Stott played the ball into the near post for Guthrie but his header was turned away by Smith.

Chances were limited but Clark did have the ball in the net just after the hour mark but the flag was up for offside.

Midway through the second half, substitute Kallum Higginbotham had a great opportunity when he was at the back-post but he could only head the ball along the line.

Back at the other end, Liam Smith did well down the right before he crossed into the area for Guthrie for a close range shot but it was easy for the keeper.

Queens number one then made a good save as Cunningham hit it on the turn.

The remainder of the game petered out and ended one all at full-time. Kelty went on to take the bonus point four – three on penalties.

Full Time: Queens 1 Kelty Hearts 1 (Kelty won 4-3 on penalties)

It is with regret that we have to announce the departure of Trevor Carson.

The 38-year-old goalkeeper who was Nicky Clark’s first signing has decided to retire due to a knee injury. After a tough pre-season the Northern Irish international can’t guarantee his fitness for the full campaign and has honourably informed the manager of his decision to step aside to give him time to source a replacement.

The Gaffer said “It is a massive blow to both Trevor and us that he has had to retire. He has had a great career and the experience he would have brought made him an unbelievable signing. I respect his honesty and appreciate him telling me now, it’s a blow but we need to move on.”

Everyone at the club wishes Trevor all the best for the future.

Our under 19 side travelled to Dalziel Park this evening to take on Motherwell in their second pre-season fixture.

Young striker William Salfenmoser opened the scoring after 38 minutes to give Queens the lead. An advantage they held on to until eight minutes after the break when the hosts levelled.

With no further goals both sides had to settle for the draw.

Full Time: Motherwell 1 Queens 1

Coach Eddie Warwick said “It was a very pleasing performance as the boys worked very hard against a good Motherwell side who play a level above in the CAS league. We are delighted with their overall efforts tonight as we bed into pre-season.”

Next up for the under 19s is an away game against Penrith on Tuesday night as their warm up games continue.

Pre-season is over and the real work starts tomorrow when we welcome Kelty Hearts to Palmerston. It’s our first competitive game of the 2026/27 season and the first of our Premier Sports Cup Group A matches. Although it will be a changed squad and they are in league two tomorrow's visitors are no strangers having been in the same division as ourselves until their relegation at the end of the last campaign.

It’s also the first fixture under new boss Nicky Clark and ahead of the game he said “There's no easy game. We had a good mixture of fixtures in pre-season that we learned a lot from, so like those we have been preparing for it. We’ve had a good week's training and looked at ways that we can overcome Kelty. It’s a cup competition so it’s a game that we need to go and win as we want to progress through. We know it's going to be hard but we need to get it right. Winning needs to become a habit.”

Supporters Information

Due to ongoing construction work on the roof of the Thompson Solicitors stand, there will be no public access within the area and the stand will be closed for this match. Therefore, HOME supports will be located within the BDS Stand, sections 1-5 and the Oakbank Terracing. While, section 7 of the BDS has been allocated to AWAY fans.

To gain entry to the BDS stand – ALL supporters should use turnstiles 1 & 2. 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. These will be the only turnstiles in operation.

Turnstiles will be open for spectator entry at approximately 1345.

Entry is by ticket. Season Tickets are not valid for this match and tickets are now on sale for both home and away fans online via the link below:

https://qosfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/queen_of_the_south_v_kelty_hearts-ps26

On the day ticket prices are:

Adults: £17
Concessions: £10

U16s: £5

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 at 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 including minibuses will not be allowed to park in the Arena car park.

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.

Those travelling to the game should be aware that there is roadworks in and around the town which are likely to cause some delays. People travelling should check Traffic Scotland website at http://trafficscotland.org/index.aspx for confirmation of any road closures or delays.

Shared 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 Queen of the South 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 Thompson’s Solicitors stand will NOT be open for this 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. No bottles or cans will be permitted through the gates, so anyone bring juice should bring cartons. 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.

Tomorrow’s match kicks off at 3pm

With our competitive matches getting underway tomorrow we are pleased to welcome Christopher McQueen to the club.

The 24-year-old defender becomes Nicky Clark’s latest signing as he pens a one year deal.

Christopher who started out with Celtic under 20s had spells at Stenhousemuir and East Kilbride before becoming a main stay and popular central defender at Stranraer. After leaving Stair Park and some time across the Irish Sea at Kerry, Christopher spent the second half of last season at Edinburgh City. He has also been capped for Scotland u17s.

Nicky said “Christopher has been with us throughout pre-season and has impressed both on and off the field. He is a no nonsense, solid centre half who has a physical presence who I think will add to the squad.”

Christopher added “I’ve enjoyed being in and around the club during pre-season, it’s a good group of boys and I like the manager’s approach so I’m delighted to have signed and to be involved in full-time football.”

Subject to SFA clearance, Christopher will go into the squad for our opening game against Kelty Hearts in the league cup tomorrow. 

Our under 19s got their pre-season games underway last night when they hosted Mid Annandale. 

It proved a good night for the youngsters as they coasted to a five-nil win.  Goals from trialists had them two up within 23 minutes before Aidan Robinson added a third seven minutes before the break.

Striker William Salfenmoser then grabbed a second half double, the first just after the hour mark and his second six minutes from time to round off the scoring.

Coach Eddie Warwick said “It was  a very good workout and positive exercise to begin the pre season games. There was a lot of good stuff as we move forward.”

The games continue with a trip to Dalziel Park on Friday night to face Motherwell. Kick off - 6pm.

At the end of a busy week, we return to Palmerston tomorrow for the final of our public friendly matches. After Welsh side Connah’s Quay Nomads visited last weekend, this week it’s the turn of the Irish as Boyle Sports Premiership side Crusaders make the journey across the water from Belfast.

There may well be a few familiar faces in the squad with Kieran McKechnie, Fraser Bryden and Adam Brooks all with the Seaview side.

Ahead of the game, Queens boss Nicky Clark said “It’s going to be another great challenge, another great test for us. I think it'll be different from the previous two against Nomads and Threave but it’s one we're really looking forward to and we'll prepare for. We need to go and play against these teams. I'm sure they'll be physical again and will move it about, so it's important that we are set up properly and we bring what we want to do to the game as well.”

Supporters Information

Due to ongoing construction work on the roof of the Thompson Solicitors stand, there will be no public access within the area and the stand will be closed for this match. Therefore, HOME supports will be located within the BDS Stand, sections 1-5 and the Oakbank Terracing. While, section 7 of the BDS has been allocated to AWAY fans.

To gain entry to the BDS stand – ALL supporters should use turnstiles 1 & 2. 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. These will be the only turnstiles in operation.

Turnstiles will be open for spectator entry at approximately 1345.

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

https://qosfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/queen_of_the_south_v_crusaders

On the day ticket prices are:

Adults: £12
Concessions: £8

U16s: £4

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 at 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 including minibuses will not be allowed to park in the Arena car park.  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.

Those travelling to the game should be aware that there is roadworks in and around the town which are likely to cause some delays. People travelling should check Traffic Scotland website at http://trafficscotland.org/index.aspx for confirmation of any road closures or delays.

Shared 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 Queen of the South café within the Arena will be open and will have a range of food/snacks on offer and will accept card. Unfortunately due to the ongoing construction work the lounge bar under the Thompson’s Solicitors stand will NOT be open for this 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. No bottles or cans will be permitted through the gates, so anyone bring juice should bring cartons. 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.

Tomorrow’s match kicks off at 3pm

Tickets for our two home Premier Sports games against Kelty Hearts and Aberdeen are now on sale.

www.qosfc.com/buytickets

Prices for both games are

Adult : £17
Concession : £10
U16 : £5

Prices are for home and away fans and tickets for both are now on sale for Kelty.

For Aberdeen, home tickets are available, away tickets will be sold by Aberdeen.