Queen of the South opened their Championship campaign away to newly promoted Arbroath, at Gayfield. It was a bumper crown for the hosts, with the majority of the 1100 support celebrating last years title success on ?flag day?.
Fireworks on flag day
There was a solitary change for Queens following last weeks draw at Cappielow, with Darren Brownlie returning to the fray after his suspension, at the expense of Lee Kilday.
Match photo gallery link here.
Queens lined-up in what?s becoming their preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Brownlie, as expected, slotted in at centre-half, while Gary Oliver played just behind Jack Hamilton who lead the line. Last week?s man of the match, Connor Murray, began on the right-wing.
It was a tense start to proceedings, with both sides taking some time to settle into their stride. After a couple of free-kicks that caused neither ?keeper any bother, the games first real chance fell to the visitors. After Robby McCrorie collected an Arbroath corner, his goal kick was struck with pin-point accuracy, getting Connor Murray in-behind the Arbroath defence. And after cutting inside onto his left-foot, he looked to find Gary Oliver, although the retreating Arbroath defence was their to cut the move out.
Dan Pybus was proving to be the heartbeat of the Queens side today, with his powerful runs through the heart of the Arbroath team creating openings for the away team.
Pybus in the heart of midfield
After 25 minutes, Pybus found Murray on the break, but his unusually tame effort was saved by the impressive Darren Jamieson. Just a matter of moments later, Arbroath had arguably the best chance of the first period. After some good work down the left-hand side, a dangerous ball in was met the head of Steven Doris, just six-yards out, but his shot was directed straight at McCrorie.
Last seasons League 1 player of the year, Bobby Linn, had his first chance of the game not long after. The wide-man beat Scott Mercer, before striking a low driven shot into the side netting.
Doris sends his header directly to McCrorie
Right on the stroke of half-time, Queens went within inches of scoring. Following a Michael Paton corner, and a barrage of attempted shots and clearances, the ball fell to Pybus, who struck a low effort that was saved right on the line by Jamieson. It was as close as Queens had got to scoring all half, and the referee blew his whistle straight after.
Saved on the line by Jamieson
HT: Arbroath 0-0 QoS
Despite a fair few chances, and some good saves from either ?keeper, the score remained goalless.
Queens started the second-half the brighter of the two sides but were still unable to put the ball in the net. Another dangerous Paton corner was met deep in the box by Jack Hamilton, who?s first time volley ricocheted off Gary Oliver, and rolled narrowly wide.
Another Paton cross was met by Oliver, but his glancing header was again saved by Jamieson.
Arbroath then enjoyed a short spell on top and had a couple of fairly good shots at McCrorie?s goal. Firstly, Linn had a strike from 25-yards fly just over the top corner, before a deflected Doris strike from distance went whiskers wide of the post.
However, after 73 minutes, Arbroath did have the ball in the net. A good ball through to Linn let the winger put in a vicious low cross into the area, that was tapped home. Thankfully for the boys in blue though, Linn was adjudged to be off-side and the score remained goalless.
On 77 minutes, AJ made his one and only sub of the game, replacing Lewis Kidd with Andy McCarthy.
With what was effectively the last chance of the game, Callum Semple came within inches of giving Queens all three points. Another good corner from Paton was met by Semple, who out-jumped his marker and Darren Jamieson to the ball, but his header flew narrowly wide of the back post.
There were to be no further chances, and the game ended in a stalemate.
FT: Arbroath 0-0 QoS
A workmanlike performance from the visiting side, however it just wasn?t to be, and Queens head back to Dumfries with just one point rather than three. The point leaves Queens 8th in the table, however they are level on points with 3rd placed Dundee, who are ahead on goals scored.
Next up, league action continues, with Dunfermline visiting Palmerston on Saturday.
The Pars have had a fairly good start to the season, defeating St. Mirren, East Kilbride and Albion Rovers, while also losing to Edinburgh City in the Betfred Cup. They opened their league campaign with a 2-2 draw at home to Dundee on Friday night, after surrendering a two-goal lead.