Cove Rangers were the first footers to Palmerston for our first game of 2025, Manager Peter Murphy made two changes to the side that faced Annan at the end of last year. Harry Cochrane and Oscar MacIntyre were added to the starting eleven in place of Jack Brydon and Lewis ODonnell who both dropped to the bench.
In dense fog it was a slow start to the game and goalmouth chances were limited at either end of the park until twenty minutes in when Queens were unfortunate not to open the scoring. They had forced a few corners and as the ball was played into the area, Reece Lyons header crashed back off the underside of the bar.
They did make the breakthrough two minutes later when Kyle Doherty floated a free kick in from the left and as Lyon nodded it towards goal, Mikey Hewitt was on hand to make sure it crossed the line from close range.
Queens were on the attack and Lyon made a great pass into the path of Brennan Dickenson, the striker went down at the edge of the box, but the free kick was given against him, and the chance had gone.
With just over half an hour played, Mitch Megginson fired a shot towards the target, but he couldnt get any curl on the ball, and it flew wide.
At the other end as a shot was blocked the loose ball fell to Dickenson at the edge of the 18-yard area, he caught it well with his left foot, but his decent effort was the wrong side of the upright.
With the final chance of the first half, space opened up for Declan Glass, but he hit a right foot shot well over.
HALF TIME Queens 1 Cove Rangers 0
Into the second half and Lyon who had been winning headers throughout the game won another, but he was well off target with this one.
Within a minute of Lyons attempt, Ryan Harrington won a corner for the visitors, as the ball was played into the danger area, Doherty headed clear.
Paul Hartleys side had stepped things up looking to get back into the game and Glass attempt was deflected out.
As Queens formed their own attack, Dickenson made his way down the left and crossed into the box looking for Adam Brooks, the ball was cleared back out to Dickenson who returned the ball to his fellow forward and as his shot was blocked, referee Duncan Nicolson pointed to the spot. However, after consolation with his assistant he reversed his decision.
On the hour mark, Brooks wasnt too far away with a right foot volley before Cove put them under a bit of pressure. With Matty Douglas on the deck, Megginson was allowed to have a shot, but his effort was into the arms of Ross Stewart.
Megginson had another shot but this time the frontman was offside.
MacIntyre then tried to create a couple of opportunities for the hosts, he made a great run before picking out Brooks, but he couldnt get the ball on target. And then the wing back made his way to the by-line before crossing into the box only for Harrington to clear.
In the final five minutes of the ninety, Harrington hit a shot from distance, but it was well taken by Stewart and in stoppage time, the keeper collected as the same player headed the ball towards goal from a corner.
FULL TIME Queens 1 Cove Rangers 0