It is match day one of the Ladbrokes Championship 2019/20 season for us tomorrow when we make the trip to Arbroath.
Our last visit to Gayfield was over six years ago in March 2013 when Nicky Clark scored an injury time equaliser in a one all draw. The two sides were in the same league during the 2012/13 season and apart from the share of the spoils in the last meeting, Queens won the other three games, 5-1, 3-2 and 6-0.
The teams also met in the Ramsdens Cup semi-final that season when Queens won by two goals to one on route to winning the trophy overall.
As he gets ready for the league campaign, Queens boss Allan Johnston said “It’s down to league business this weekend and we want to get off to the best start possible.
We don’t yet have our full squad in place yet but the players we do have available are good enough to go and compete. We know we need to defend better than we did in some of our Betfred League cup games but I am happy with the number of chances that we are creating and the goals that we are scoring.
Arbroath are coming into the league confident after securing promotion and will be looking to continue on a high note. They are a good side with good players and won’t be in the league just to make up the numbers. They might be part-time but Alloa showed last season that counts for nothing so we have been preparing properly this week. For me it’s not really about them it’s about us and what we do ourselves.
We are going to be without one of our key players in Stephen Dobbie but we still scored three goals without him last weekend so we will be looking for more of the same. Darren Brownlie returns to the squad after being suspended for last week’s cup game at Morton”.
Admission prices at Gayfield are listed as:-
£18 – Adults
£10 – Concessions (Child, Students, OAP 65+, Disability Entry with a free carer)
£20 – Adult and Child Gate
The Angus side operate cash only turnstiles and there is no need to buy a ticket in advance.
Kick off at Gayfield – 3pm.
With the home side newly promoted it will be special day for them as they unfurl and raise the League One flag that they won last year ahead of kick off. The ceremony will take place at quarter to three.
Supporters should also note that there will be a minute applause prior to the match in memory of former Arbroath player, Tom Cargill who sadly passed away in the close season.