After going five games without a win, Queens put an end to that disappointing run when they swept aside recent Challenge Cup winners Dundee United in an entertaining Championship clash at Palmerston. The home side took a 2-1 lead into the interval, and although the visitors levelled the game in the early stages of the second period, Queens restored, and then increased their lead to claim 3 points for the first time since the home win over Raith back in February.
Following last weekend`s game in Kirkcaldy which had been described by many as being the `poorest` of the season to date, Queens made two changes to the side that started that game. Dom Thomas, and Dan Carmichael came in for Andy Dowie, and Scott Mercer, whilst Kyle Jacobs moved to cover the right-back position as once again a 4-4-2 line up was deployed.This was Carmichaels` first start since the game against Hibs back in January in what has been a diffcult spell for him after his struggles with injury.
Proud mascot with men of both clubs Rankin and Bell
There was possibly more at stake for Queens in this game, and the fifth clash between the teams this season soon showed signs that it wouldn`t be scoreless as both defences looked nervy during the opening few moments. After just 4 minutes the hosts could have taken an early lead when Stephen Dobbie`s chip from 20-yards threatened to creep in under the bar, but United `keeper Cammy Bell was alert enough to concede the game`s opening corner which was comfortably dealt with.
Most of the early attacking play was coming from Queens, and a mazy run from Thomas set up another chance for Dobbie, but this time his shot curled inches over the crossbar. As Queens continued in the ascendancy, Dobbie really should have opened the scoring after 16 minutes when he had the best of his early chances. After finding himself on his own with just Bell to beat, Queens top scorer seemed to have too much time to think about his options, and instead of placing the ball wide of the `keeper, his shot went straight at the Dundee United shot stopper who reacted well to block the effort.
Little had been seen of the visitors in attack, but a good spell of keep ball that ended with Telfer shooting from distance showed that they were more than capable of creating something even if it did come from a rare attack.
With Queens still looking the most likely to score first,a neat flowing move involving Lyle, and then Dobbie ended with Joe Thomson driving a shot wide of the target, but the breakthrough that their play deserved duly arrived on the 19 minute mark. Dobbie and Lyle had been linking well and it was no surprise to see the pair involved in the creation of the goal and when Dobbie`s accurate pass fell perfectly into the path of Derek Lyle, the former Dundee player produced a composed finish from close range.
Lyle beats Bell
Delight in Lyles face as he turns to celebrate his strike
Unbelievably and totally against the run of play, Dundee United found themselves level just short of the half an hour mark and the goal came direct from a set-piece situation for Queens at the other end of the park. Following a foul right on the bye-line on Thomas by Edjenguele, a short free-kick by Queens went horribly wrong and when the visitors launched a quick attack they got the break of the ball when the bounce favoured Mikkelesen ahead of Jacobs, and as Lee Robinson raced from his goal to block the ball, Mikkelesen was able to flick the ball past him and finish really well from a very tight angle.
Mikkelsen keeps his cool to slot in a surprise equaliser
The goal sparked some new life into the away side and for the first time in the game, they were the dominant force and they went very close to completing the turnaround when former Queens player, Mark Durnan`s glancing header from Flood`s free-kick almost crept in at the far post. Having lost their way for a few minutes following the goal, Queens were quick to re-group, and once again they took the game to the visitors and were rewarded with a second goal moments before the interval. Dom Thomas did exceptionally well to hold off the attentions of Flood which led to Queens having a break of two on one, and the on-loan Motherwell youngster then produced a perfectly weighted and accurately placed pass which Stephen Dobbie ran onto placing the ball past the diving `keeper to net his 21st goal of the season. The last notable action saw Flood become the first player to be booked, presumably for dissent, and as the whistle sounded for the break it was the home side who left the field in better spirits.
Dobbie fires home the second
Dobbie celebrates his strike
HALF-TIME QUEENS 2-1 DUNDEE UTD
Neither team made any changes at the break, although just minutes into the half, Queens were forced to go to the bench when Lyle pulled up with what looked like an injury to his ankle and was replaced by Lyndon Dykes who joined Dobbie up front. The change did not hold Queens back and Dykes did well when holding the ball up just outside the penalty area and then creating a chance for Dobbie, the striker trying another delicate chip that once again was only just wide of the target. That was the seventh or even eighth chance that Queens had created, and yet once again they found themselves on level terms when the visitors scored again with something from nothing. A drive forward from Dixon ended with him shooting from distance and although his powerful shot went straight at Robinson, the `keeper could only parry the ball out and as quick as lightning, Mikkelesen pounced to smash the loose ball into the net from close range. There were a few half hearted appeals for offside- but unfortunately the Television Review system was not in operation and the goal stood.There was no doubt that once again it was a goal against the run of play, but the home support in the crowd of 1514 were soon applauding again when their team very nearly went ahead just past the hour mark. Finding space on the left, Dobbie then worked a position to test the `keeper, and when Bell spilled the ball it looked as though in the ensuing melee Edjenguele trapped the ball with both of his feet whilst on the ground, a foul in any other area of the pitch, but nothing doing as far as a penalty being given.
An uncharacteristic fumble from Bell
Pretty conclusive ball retention by Edgenguele - but no award given
There was plenty of energy in the midfield area for Queens and both Rankin, and Thomson were working hard to suppress and often outplay their Dundee United counterparts, and Thomson seemed to become stronger the longer the game went on.Queens made a second change when young Connor Murray replaced Carmichael after 65 minutes and as the home side pushed forward looking for a winning goal they created a couple of half chances without really testing the visiting `keeper.
The visiting `keeper was to be involved in the action on 75 minutes but it was only to be substituted after he suffered what looked to be a muscle injury, and at the same time Dale Hilson replaced Dom Thomas as Queens made their final change in an effort to claim all 3 points.
As the game moved into the final 10 minutes it looked increasingly like the sides would once again share the points, but the sun was smiling on Queens as twice in the final minutes of the game, they found the net. A `route one` long ball clearance from Darren Brownlie found Lyndon Dykes all alone just inside the penalty box and after allowing the ball to bounce he hit a right foot shot past the stand in `keeper who was left standing as the ball flew past him.
Dykes slams home
Captain Rankin celebrates with Dykes
Having taken the lead for the third time in the match, Queens were determined to make sure that this time they hung on to what they had, but with only 2 minutes to go it got even better when they made sure of the win with a fourth goal. Finding himself in space on the right wing Dobbie looked up and delivered a superbly accurate cross that found the head of Dykes. His knock back into the six-yard box saw Hilson challenge Dixon and the ball went in at the near post off of the Dundee United defender to make the game safe for the home side.
Hilson tricks Dixon into knocking the ball into his own net
This was only the second time that Queens have scored 4 goals in the league this season, previously it was against Ayr back in August, when the same referee, Stephen Finnie, was also in charge. The result sees Queens stay in 5th place in the league with just 5 games left to play, even the most optimistic of Queens fans would have to admit that the play-offs are unobtainable....or are they ?? Sponsors chose Joe Thomson as their man-of-the-match, and personally, I would agree wholeheartedly.