An impressive second-half performance saw Queens come from behind to claim a well deserved victory in their final home league game of what has ultimately been a frustrating, and disappointing Championship campaign. Trailing at the interval to what was visitors Livingston`s only effort on target in the half, the home side responded well and after equalising on the hour mark there was only ever going to be one outcome as Queens dominated the final 30 minutes scoring twice and creating many more chances to increase their tally. The only disappointment for Queens on the day was the rather unfortunate sending off of Lewis Kidd 6 minutes from full time, as the Queens substitute was clearly being fouled long before referee Northcroft penalised Kidd for shirt pulling.
The caretaker management duo of Gavin Skelton, and Jim Thomson, made 3 changes to the side that began in last weeks draw at Alloa. In came Chris Higgins, Scott Hooper, and Gary Oliver, as they replaced Darren Brownlie,Lewis Kidd, and Kyle Hutton. The inclusion of Scott Hooper at right-back was certainly not predictable as the youngster started only his fourth game of the season for Queens, with coincidentally his last start coming against Livingston back in October.
Queens lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Hilson and Lyle as the strike partnership as they attempted to end a run of 5 games without a win. The game got off to a scrappy start with both teams being guilty of yielding possession, and the opening minutes of the contest saw the ball being out of play more often than in,with the only chance of any note falling to Queens, but good link up play between Oliver, and Lyle ended when Lyle`s pass to Russell saw the former Livingston striker`s run halted by the offside flag.
Russell had a further opportunity following the next attack but after getting on to the end of a perfectly flighted pass from Callum Tapping, the bounce of the ball went against him and Livingston were able to clear. After a slow start to the game, Queens steadily began to up the tempo and after winning their first corner of the a snap shot from Chris Higgins looked to be goalbound but was blocked away by several Livingston defenders.Moments later the hosts were on the attack again as Tapping led the break and after a surging run he used the supporting run of Oliver,but his cross aiming for Lyle at the near post was smartly gathered by `keeper McCallum.
The best chance of the opening period for Queens came on 21 minutes following a foul on Iain Russell. With everyone expecting a cross from the set-piece, Mark Millar decided to go for goal and his driven effort from 30-yards wasn`t too far wide of the target and had `keeper McCallum scampering across his goal.
With Tapping and Millar controlling midfield, and both Russell and Oliver looking lively on either flank, Queens were well on top and they almost made the breakthrough after 25 minutes but somehow Russell managed to slice a close range effort against the base of the post. The visitors had hardly been seen as an attacking force and their first effort of any sort saw a drive from distance by Telfer fly miles wide of Jim Atkinson`s goal. Yet incredibly it was Livingston who made the breakthrough when a neat exchange of passes between White and Buchanan opened up the Queens defence and allowed Hibs loanee Stanton plenty of time to calmly place the ball beyond the dive of Atkinson and give the struggling visitors a 29th minute lead.
Stanton turns away to celebrate his goal for the visitors
The goal certainly came against the run of play but Queens reacted well forcing a number of corners, and continuing to play on the front foot as the half progressed, but although they dominated possession Queens were finding it hard to conjure up any clear scoring opportunities.The first yellow card of the game was shown to Callum Tapping 5 minutes before the break when his clumsy challenge in midfield was penalised. A long distance hit and hope effort from Kakay caused Atkinson to be wary, but the Queens shot stopper held on comfortably, whilst at the other end a low drive from Russell was also comfortably dealt with by McCallum.
Right on half-time Queens went very close to levelling the game. Andy Dowie`s long ball was chested down by Lyle into the path of Oliver, and his shot on the half-volley from just inside the penalty area flashed just wide of the target.It was another decent enough chance but once again the home fans in the crowd of 1421 saw their favourites trail at the break.
HALF-TIME QUEENS 0-1 LIVINGSTON
As you would expect, Queens made a bright start to the second- half, and the pace of Oliver was soon causing problems for the visitors defence so much so that Longridge joined Tapping in referee Northcroft`s book for pulling back the former Hearts player, but once again Livingston seemed well organised in defence and Millar`s delivery from the resulting set-piece was easily defended.Russell was giving full-back Kakay a tough time and his run and cross from the left picked out Lyle, but Queens` top scorer`s attempt to find Hilson with a header was cleared by Neill.
With the home side pressing strongly for an equaliser a strong challenge from Hooper led to yet another Queens corner and this time when Millar`s delivery was cleared out to Oliver, the striker - still looking for his first goal at Palmerston - saw his shot blocked which in turn led to a swift counter-attack from Livingston that was only ended by an illegal challenge from Chris Higgins, a challenge that saw him become the second Queens player to be booked.The free-kick in a dangerous position and some 20 yards out was taken by Telfer, but having beaten the Queens defensive wall, thankfully his shot went marginally wide of the far post. Queens were first to look at options from the bench, and when Lewis Kidd replaced Hooper on 57 minutes, there was an instant increase in tempo, and although Kidd was not directly involved in the goal that saw Queens draw level, his energy seemed to inspire Queens.
The equalising goal came on the hour mark, and it came from the penalty spot. Seconds before the spot-kick was awarded Jim Atkinson produced a fine diving save to keep his team in the game, and when Queens broke away on the left through Hilson the striker was able to deliver a perfect cross into the box that found Iain Russell. As he jumped to head the ball he was blatantly pushed in the back, and the referee was perfectly placed to award the penalty.Up stepped Derek Lyle to send the ball into the bottom corner.
Two weeks two penalty strikes for Derek Lyle
Boosted by the goal and by the fact that Livingston`s best player on the day, Charlie Telfer, had been replaced, Queens really went at the visitors. Harris replaced Russell after 66 minutes, and just 3 minutes later the turnaround was completed. A wicked cross come shot from Kidd had the `keeper in trouble and although he managed to tip the ball over the bar, the resulting corner led to Queens taking the lead.Mark Millar`s delivery was perfect as Derek Lyle rose high above the defence to power home his 2nd goal of the game - making the scorer now just 5 away from one hundred goals for Queens.With 15 minutes to go Queens made their final change as two-goal Derek Lyle made way for Kyle Jacobs and Gary Oliver pushed forward to join Hilson up top.Hilson looked very lively for most of the game and out of nowhere he unleashed a thunderous drive that beat McCallum all ends up, but crashed back off the crossbar. Play continued with the ball falling to Kidd who saw his shot blocked, but fortune was with Queens as the ball fell nicely into the path of Gary Oliver and he produced a crisp finish to score at Palmerston for the first time.
Lyle scores a superb headed goal to give his side the lead
Lyle celebrates his strike with Captain Higgins
Oliver nets the third
Oliver celebrates with the fans
It had been a 19 minute `powerplay` from Queens and they could have increased their lead by more but a combination of good goalkeeping and brave defending kept Queens at bay. What would have been a perfect afternoon for Queens ended rather bizarrely on 84 minutes when substitute Lewis Kidd was sent off. After gaining possession deep in his own half, Kidd made a lung bursting run towards the Livingston penalty area. Half way through his run it was clear that he was being pulled back but his strength and determination took him ahead of the defender until he began to lose his footing and pulled on his opponents shirt. This last incident was seen by the referee who then unbelievably booked Kidd. Frustrated by this decision Kidd reacted towards the referee and was shown a second yellow which of course became a red. If Kidd had gone to ground after the initial contact, the whole incident would have had a different outcome. There was still time for the hard working Hilson to hit the bar again with another fine attempt, and for Livi`s Fotheringham to be booked for taking down Oliver, and right at the death Neill had a big chance to reduce the arrears but he blasted high over the crossbar from close range.
Kidd comes down on the edge of the box
Yellow and red for Kidd
Man-of-the-match went to two-goal Derek Lyle as Queens ended the campaign with a decent win that was only their eighth at home this season.
The close season at Palmerston will no doubt be very busy with plenty of comings and goings with of course the appointment of a new manager taking priority. Whatever happens I`m sure like me you can`t wait until it all begins again in July, enjoy your break.