Queens completed their pre-season programme with a hard fought 2-1 win at manager Gavin Skelton's former club, Workington. The 'gaffer' is clearly still a popular figure at the Cumbrian club he played for in two spells as well as managed and officials and supporters alike were keen to wish him well, even going as far as mounting a plaque at the front door for the evening wishing him well for the season!
It was a young side who travelled to the game featuring nobody who started against Thistle on Saturday but never the less 8 of the starting 11 have first team experience. And it was almost a flying start for Queens as within the first minute Dykes sent Dean Brotherston clean through on goal only to strike the post with his effort. However it was the hosts who took the early lead a couple of minutes later when Bob Murray's short pass back was intercepted by Tom Kilifin who beat Atkinson well from the edge of the penalty area. It was a short lived lead as Queens were level before the 10th minute. Aidan Smith and Lyndon Dykes combined well to set up Steven Rigg to blast across the face of the keeper and into the far side of the net from 10 yards. Dykes should probably have given Queens the lead before the break but keeper Aaran Taylor pulled off a fine save to deny him.
The second half saw less goalmouth action as Queens in particular made changes and got a good bit younger but midway through it Aidan Smith stung the palms of sub keeper Tom Fowler with another fine effort. It looked like drifting to a 1-1 draw when Queens grabbed the winner five minutes from time. Ryan Nelson, who had to go off with concussion seconds later, slid a fine pass through the defence for Dean Brotherston to use his pace to get on the end of and he clipped the ball over the keeper into the net.
Team:
1 J Atkinson (J Leighfield 88), 2 J Brannan, 3 R Evans (S Glean 73), 4 J Pickard (O Bell 50), 5 S Hooper, 6 R Murray, 7 A Smith (J Thompson 80), 8 O Moxon, 9 L Dykes (R Nelson 58, R Evans 86), 10 S Rigg (C Murray 45), 11 D Brotherston
Click here for our gallery of photos from the match
And click this link for a video of Dean Brotherston's winning goal