A bizarre late goal saw Queens lose their final game of the 2016-17 season as the curtain came down on what has ultimately been a disappointing and frustrating season for all connected with the club. The final game of the campaign was never going to be a classic with both teams having only their pride to play for, and for large parts of the contest, it had `end of season` written all over it, although to be fair to Queens, it was them who created the better of the scoring opportunities
Following last Saturday`s spirited performance at Falkirk, Queens made two changes to the team that began that game, as Scott Mercer, and Joe Thomson, were replaced by Dom Thomas, and Callum Tapping with the latter making just his 2nd league start following his long term injury problems.
Mascots for the day
Lining up in their usual 4-4-2 formation Queens struggled to find their way in the early stages, and the majority of the attacking play came from the visitors prompted mainly by the industry of McCabe, and Wedderburn in midfield, and after claiming the game`s opening corner after 9 minutes, former Queens frontman, Nicky Clark should perhaps have done better than he did from the set piece.
Wedderburn and Dykes tussle
When Queens did finally manage to launch a meaningful attack, it was no surprise that leading scorer, Stephen Dobbie was the player on the end of the move. After good work from Darren Brownlie, and then Dobbie and Thomas,the ball eventually broke to Dobbie whose shot on the turn went just wide of the target, and as the hosts began to feature more as an attacking force, a neat move involving John Rankin, and Jordan Marshall, ended with a low drive from Rankin just skipping past the far upright.
Up until that moment neither `keeper had been forced into making any meaningful saves, but after 25 minutes, visiting stopper, Sean Murdoch made the first save of the game. A move that started on the left following good work from Tapping that continued via Danny Carmichael ended when Murdoch reacted well to keep out Dobbie`s strong drive. The fit again Tapping, who was starting to have some influence on the game was soon in the action again as this time he combined well with Thomas who in turn picked out the run of Lyndon Dykes who after controlling the ball well went on to carve out a shooting chance for himself, but his curling shot was at a comfortable height for the `keeper who saved easily.
The game then entered into a sloppy phase were both teams contrived to give the ball away at will, and the football on show did little to please the crowd of 1849 which included a very decent away support especially bearing in mind that the game had little relevance.
With the game moving towards the interval, a period of football broke out and indeed both teams had chances to break the deadlock within a sixty second spell. Firstly a mistake by Queens let Dunfermline in and after Higginbotham and Moffat combined to set up Clark, the striker`s rather tame effort was easily saved by Lee Robinson. The Queens `keeper was then quick to launch an attack when his long punt upfield picked out Dykes who after skipping past the last defender crossed for Dobbie, but under pressure his shot on the turn went high over the bar.
HALF-TIME QUEENS 0-0 DUNFERMLINE
During the break the Queens under 20 Development squad were presented with the trophy for winning their league section - congratulations again to the young lads on a really good season, and congratulations also to the majority of the visiting Dunfermline fans who also acknowledged the award by applauding the Queens youngsters.
The second half started with Queens attacking the Portland Drive end, and the early signs looked good as the hosts began well. A positive run from Carmichael saw him set Tapping free and after getting to the byeline, Tapping`s cross was just an inch or so to high for Carmichael as he tried to make contact at the near post. Tapping went very close to marking his 2nd league start with a goal but his low drive from the edge of the box was pushed aside by the dive of Murdoch. Moments later Tapping did have the ball in the net, but the flag signalling offside had already been raised long before Tapping fired the ball into the net.
Tapping is denied by the linesmans flag
The home side were certainly having their best prolonged spell and Dobbie went close again after Tapping`s through ball set him up, unfortunately for Queens Dobbie did not fully connect with the ball and his shot drifted wide of the target.
On the hour mark, Joe Thomson replaced Tapping, and five minutes later, Lyndon Dykes was replaced by Derek Lyle as Queens looked to end the season on a high. The visitors created their best chance of the second half minutes later when Williamson`s cross picked out Clark at the near post but his header lacked power, and in their next attack, Robinson held on comfortably to Higginbotham`s flicked header as the away team threatened again.
There was a flurry of activity in the Dunfermline box after 72 minutes when Queens had two really good chances to take the lead in quick succession.Firstly a Dom Thomas cross almost connected with the head of Dobbie, and then Dobbie saw a shot pushed out by `keeper Murdoch, and then watched as defender Ashcroft did really well to block Lyle`s shot from the rebound.
Queens final change saw Connor Murray replace Carmichael for the final 17 minutes, and the youngster almost made the perfect introduction moments later. After linking well with Dobbie, Murray`s cross into the box was cleared out to Thomson on the edge of the box and his first time shot thundered inches past the post. The only booking of the game was somewhat controversial when Dobbie was booked for simulation when it did appear that he was clipped inside the penalty area, but although the whistle sounded, it was to penalise rather than reward Queens.
Dobbie has his foot trod on and received a booking for it
Young Murray almost got himself on the scoresheet when he picked up Dobbie`s sweeping crossfield pass showing some deft control before shooting low and hard straight at the `keeper, and Murray again was at the heart of another Queens attack after latching onto Rankin`s pass and picking out Dobbie who was unable to keep his close range header on target.
Then finally with the game entering stoppage time Queens were condemned to their 8th home league defeat of the season. A long kick up the park by Murdoch bounced just outside the penalty area and was headed towards goal by Clark, the ball looked to be rolling comfortably towards Robinson, but unfortunately Robinson slipped and fell to the ground and as he tried to regain his position the ball rolled gently past him into the unguarded net to give the Fifers their first win over Queens this season.
Robinson slips
Pars fans cant believe their luck with an unlikley win
A disappointing end to what has ultimately been a poor season for Queens which has seen us end the season just 4 points away from second bottom position. I would expect that my next match report on a Queens game will feature many new faces, so until then, enjoy the break, it won`t be too long before we go again!!