Having named the same starting eleven for the previous two games, James Fowler had to do without the services of Hibs loanee Alex Harris who could not play against his parent club, and he also elected to give a first league start to Kyle Hutton.  Gary Oliver dropped to the bench as Mark Millar was included from the start. Visitors Hibs, included former Queens favourite, Danny Carmichael in their squad as they looked to close the gap on runaway leaders Rangers.

 

Queens began the game attacking the Terregles Street end of the ground, although lining up in a 3-5-1-1 formation seemed to suggest that the game plan was to try and prevent Hibs from playing their football, by attempting to `smother` the middle of the park. If that was the idea, unfortunately for Queens, it lasted for just 3 minutes as following their first attack of the game, the visitors took the lead. Malonga and Stevenson combined to good effect down the left, and Stevenson`s slick pass inside found Cummings who finished confidently beating Thomson at his near post.

 

An early set back as Cummins beats Thomson

 

What had promised to be a difficult game for Queens even before a ball had been kicked, became even harder after their poor start, but to their credit the next few minutes of the game belonged to them. After breaking clear Mark Millar swept the ball wide to Kyle Jacobs on the right, and his perfect delivery was met by the head of Derek Lyle, but Hibs `keeper Oxley did well to tip the ball over for Queens first corner of the game. Millar`s delivery picked out Ryan Conroy on the edge of the box and his volley - which was certainly on target - was blocked, and when the ball was sent back into the penalty area, another Lyle header was deflected behind for another corner which this time, Hibs defended well.

 

Oxley denies Lyle

 

Unfortunately for the home support in the crowd of 2745, that was about as good as it got for Queens in the opening period as from that moment on, they barely threatened the Hibs defence. With five players strung across midfield it was incredible to see just how much time and space Hibs had in the central area, whereas Queens seemed to be very crowded, and somewhat confused as to what their objectives were, and consequently Derek Lyle playing as the lone striker was very isolated for the majority of the half. The away side had a very decent chance to extend their lead after 12 minutes following a free-kick, but Hanlon`s header from Henderson`s delivery was just off target. Three minutes later and only a fine diving save by Robbie Thomson prevented Malonga from increasing the lead for Hibs, as Queens were simply outplayed and carved open. All Queens had to offer in response was an effort from a free-kick from Derek Lyle some 25-yards out that sailed harmlessly over Oxley`s crossbar.

 

Both McGeough, and McGinn, were causing problems for the Queens defence and even when they defended in numbers, the home side were always under constant pressure and struggled to maintain possession of the ball for any length of time, and with Malonga, and Cummings making excellent runs off the ball, Hibs were well on top in the opening 30 minutes of the contest. Cummings tested Thomson again moments later, and once again the Queens `keeper did well to gather the ball from what was in truth a pretty tame effort. The Queens `keeper was soon involved in the action again this time producing a good reaction save to keep out McGinn`s effort that came through a crowd of players.

 

Millar wins the header

 

Four minutes from the break Queens fell further behind and the goal came from another unforced error when Mark Millar`s mistake was severely punished. A poor pass was seized upon by Cummings and after combining with Malonga, they created an opening for Henderson and his angled drive from just inside the area flew past Thomson. After giving the ball away Millar, in an effort to win the ball back did appear to go in a little late, and I think, although I`m not certain, he was shown a yellow card by referee Aitken before the game re-started. The goal was a perfect way for Hibs to end what had been a comfortable half for the away side who didn`t have to be too good to be better than a pretty average looking Queens side.

 

 

Somewhat surprisingly there were no changes to either personnel or formation for Queens as the second period began, and unfortunately the pattern of the game continued much the way the first half had gone. Apart from winning their first corner of the half in the opening stages, Queens just could not get going, as once again they struggled to have any meaningful possession. Lewis Kidd - playing in a very unfamiliar role just behind Lyle- became the 2nd Queens player to be booked, somewhat harshly as he challenged Oxley in a race to contest a long clearance. It did appear that Kidd caught the `keeper but it was a purely accidental clash which seemed unworthy of a yellow card.

 

Kidd can not believe that he is about to get booked for a harmless challenge

 

The home side made their first change of the game 16 minutes into the half when Aidan Smith replaced Darren Brownlie, meaning that Derek Lyle now had a partner - and someone to do his running - up front. Smith`s first involvement was to win a corner, but today Queens usual high standards from their set-plays was a major let down as once again Hibs were able to clear the ball with ease. Queens first attempt on target of the half came after 67 minutes when Lyle was on the end of a Jacobs cross, but his header lacked power and was easily saved by Oxley. Hibs striker Cummings was then booked for attempting to block a free-kick after a challenge on Chris Higgins, and it might have been worse for the striker as he very nearly kicked the ball away in frustration. The Hibs management then replaced the striker with Martin Boyle to make sure they remained with the full compliment of players.

 

Gary Oliver replaced Lyle who appeared to have suffered a knock, on 70 minutes, and Paul Heffernan replaced Millar 3 minutes later as Queens made their final two changes. Unfortunately nothing was working for the home side and frustration from all areas was growing and Andy Dowie became the latest player to be cautioned following a late challenge just outside the penalty area. In their next attack, the visitors won a free-kick after a foul by Hutton, and the resulting set-piece from McGinn beat Thomson all ends up but crashed back off the crossbar.

 

Heffernan and Smith combine up front

 

Probably the loudest applause of the day from the home fans came when former favourite, Danny Carmichael, replaced McGinn for the final 11 minutes.The introduction of both Smith and Oliver had given Queens some much needed pace, but they were never really able to find a way past a well organised Hibs defence and with full time fast approaching, substitute Boyle added a third goal following a fine flowing move from the visitors. It could even have got worse for Queens well into stoppage time, but Robbie Thomson produced an excellent save to keep out a fierce drive from substitute Stanton.

 

Boyle turns awy to celebrate the third goal for the visitors

 

So no goals, and no points for Queens on this occasion, and with the winless run now standing at seven games, there is clearly much work to do before Morton visit Palmerston again next Saturday.