After a couple of poor performances in a row manager Gary Naysmith made two changes to his team for the trip to Dunfermline today. Out for the first time this season went young centre back Callum Semple who was replaced by returning vice-captain Callum Fordyce whilst Adam Frizzell returned to the bench also with David Norman getting his first start since his deadline day loan move from Vancouver Whitecaps.Nicky Clark and Michael Paton may have moved on but there are still plenty of familiar faces in the Dunfermline dressing room too. Our ex managerial team of Allan Johnston and Sandy Clark included Lee Robinson in their team and Joe Thomson on their bench. There was no place however for the injured Mark Durnan.
Norman made his first start
The first half was largely a low key affair on an awkward slippy surface. The home side controlled most of the possession but Queens lined up in a solid formation and made it very difficult for them to get any useful penetration. Indeed but for a rare poor touch, Stephen Dobbie might have been in on goal in a Queens counter attack but Robinson was quickly off his line and got to the ball just ahead of him. The ball spun out of play with both players claiming for it but the goalkeeper got the benefit of the doubt and a goal kick was awarded. The frist really good chance of the game took half an hour to appear. Louis Longridge, who hurt us more than once last season in Falkirk colours, should probably have done better when he was on the end of a pull back from the by-line to the edge of the box but lashed his shot high and into the stand when he had plenty of time to steady himself and take more careful aim. Soon after Queens were thanking Alan Martin as the keeper plunged to his right to tip away Andy Ryan`s seemingly goalbound shot. It was a tremendous save from the big keeper who had previously had nothing to do.Before the interval Aidan Connolly picked up a booking for a bad foul on Marshall.
Dobbie denied by the alertness of Robinson
A superb save by Martin kept the scores blank
The second half didn`t see much change to the balance of play. Dunfermline had more of the ball but struggled to do much with it and Queens looked capable on the occasional break. Michael Doyle did pick up a booking just before the hour mark. Faissal El Bakhtaoui was pretty much gang tackled by 3 or 4 Queens players on halfway as he attempted to dribble clear. When the dust cleared it was Doyle deemed to have committed the foul. Moments later Martin pulled off his second good save of the match as Connolly`s free kick was flicked on by Devine from close range and tipped over by Martin with quick reactions.
A second top class save of the afternoon from Martin
The substitutions began with 20 minutes to go. First Dunfermline brought on Hippolyte for El Bakhtaoui and this was soon followed by Owen Bell replacing David Norman for Queens. Aidan Keena replaced Ryan for the home side before Adam Frizzell replaced Andy Stirling for Queens with 10 minutes to go. Queens passed up a great opportunity to take the lead when Dykes won possession from a dawdling opponent in midfield and fed the ball through to Dobbie who was breaking towards goal. However, the veteran striker slipped as he tried to spin in on goal and the ball ran away for a goal kick. The opener was delayed only a few minutes though and when it arrived it was almost in identical fashion. Again Dykes caught an opponent out in midfield and won the ball back high up the pitch. This time he fed Frizzell and the on loan Kilmarnock winger spotted Josh Todd haring clear towards the penalty area on the left. He picked Todd out perfectly with a pass and the winger sent Robinson the wrong way, planting the ball into the bottom right corner from 15 yards.
Dykes wins the ball in the middle of the park
Todd shoots and scores
Todd celebrates the winning goal
Dunfermline immediatel;y played their final card, bringing Joe Thomson on for Malaury Martin whilst Queens replaced the tiring Fordyce with Callum Semple in a bid to keep things shored up. Jackson Longridge and Joe Thomson both sent efforts wide of the post in the last few minutes but neither seriously threatened Martin`s goal. Queens in the end saw out the win fairly comfortably though Dykes did manage to pick up a potentially costly yellow card for time wasting at a throw in before the end. The result sees Queens finish the 1st quarter in 5th spot and with a game in hand of 4th placed Dundee United. It`s Falkirk and Morton both visiting Palmerston in the next 10 days and an opportunity to make progress towards the playoff spots.