Queen’s Park 2 Dunfermline Athletic 1

Remembrance Day ceremonies preceded kick off at The National Stadium, with a wreath laid by both captains and a rendition of the Last Post was played. The Hampden screens displayed names of Queen’s Park members who fell in The Great War, as all present perfectly observed a minute silence.

Head Coach Callum Davidson was forced into making one change for the match, which saw the suspended Roddy MacGregor replaced by Ryan Duncan.

The opening period was dominated by the visitors. Lewis McCann found himself in the Spider’s box, but after an attempted shot and stramash in the goal mouth, the danger was snuffed out by the Queen’s Park defence.

Queen’s gradually got on top and in 21 minutes a long ball was played out to Hickey Fugaccia, who flicked the ball onto Rudden. The striker tried to take the ball around the goalkeeper, however was unable to get his shot on target.

After half an hour, the match had its first booking as Ewan Otoo was shown a yellow card. From the resultant free kick, Queen’s raced up field and neat footwork and composure from Rudden saw a low cross into the visitor’s box which RYAN DUNCAN cooly slotted home to score his first league goal for the Spiders.

Hickey-Fugaccia was again at the centre of all things good for the home team as he dazzled down the right-hand side, carving out an opportunity for himself, however his shot was straight at the ‘keeper. Queen’s kept the pressure on as Thomson fired a shot that deflected into the path of Hickey-Fugaccia, however, he couldn’t rise above the ball to head it home.

The Spiders had another attack as they looked to double their advantage, as Drozd showed some wonderful imagination on the edge of the box to play in Hickey Fugaccia again, but the winger failed to finish.

Queen’s finished the half strongly yet only had a single goal to show for their efforts as the referee blew for half time.

Half time – Queen’s Park 1 Dunfermline Athletic 0

Dunfermline made three changes at half time as they looked to get back into the game. There was a half-hearted appeal in the opening seconds for a Dunfermline penalty, however this was waved away by the referee.

Calum Ferrie pulled of a superb diving save on 50 minutes from a Chris Hamilton looping shot. Ngwenya then put a dangerous ball into the box that was headed behind by goal scorer Ryan Duncan.

Queen’s were perhaps fortunate not to be on the receiving end of a penalty decision as Comrie broke into the box on 54 minutes, but the referee deemed there to be no handball – much to the displeasure of the travelling Pars fans.

Dunfermline substitute Todd had a shot on 59 minutes however it went well wide of the target. Just, two minutes later MATTY TODD fired home from close range after some good footwork from Lewis McCann led to a ball across the box and Todd scoring, almost identical to Queens’ goal in the first half. A deserved equaliser and reward for a spirited showing from the visitors in the second half.

The game burst into life after the visitors equalised, as both sides pushed seeking a second goal. Joe Chalmers swung a free kick in which was met with a free header that went just wide of the target.

After soaking up significant pressure from Dunfermline, it was the home side who took the lead. Rudden played a one-two with Welsh the striker laid the ball off to JACK TURNER, who ran forward and produced a fine strike from distance into the bottom right-hand corner on 72 minutes.

The visitors continued to dictate most of the play in the second half, with wave after wave of attacks on the Queen’s goal.

Dunfermline nearly had the ball in the net as Chalmers whipped in a very dangerous ball wide on the right-hand side. The flight deceived everyone as it bounced off the post and was eventually smothered by a grateful home keeper.

Substitute Liam McLeish pressured the Dunfermline defence in the 89th minute. The striker played through Turner who took the ball round the goalkeeper and fell following contact however the referee waved away loud shouts for a Queen’s penalty.

Play raged on during the four minutes of added time as the Spiders had a carbon copy break away. McLeish and Turner linked up again as Queen’s were through on goal, but a mix up in passing left enough time for the Pars defence to regroup and clear the ball.

The full time whistle blew to signal the end of a hard fought game, with Queen’s picking up all 3 points and returning to 4th place in the William Hill Championship table.

Full time – Queen’s Park 2 Dunfermline Athletic 1

Queen’s Park: Calum Ferrie, Cammy Kerr, Will Tizzard, Dane Murray, Henry Fieldson; Sean Welsh, Jack Thomson, (Louis Longridge’65) Seb Drozd; (Josh Scott ‘87) Ryan Duncan, (Jack Turner ’65) Zak Rudden, (Liam McLeish ’86) Rocco Hickey Fugaccia (Josh Hinds ’73)
Unused Substitutes: Z Mauchin, T Scott, M Thomson, J Wills

Dunfermline Athletic: Oluwatobiloba Oluwayemi; Aaron Comrie, Kieran Ngwenya, Kyle Benedictus ©, Ewan Otoo, Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Lewis McCann, Tommy Fogarty, (Chris Hamilton’46) David Wotherspoon, (Matty Todd ’46) Craig Clay, (Joe Chalmers ’46) Dapo Mebude (Taylor Sutherland ’75)
Unused Substitutes: J Cooper, S Fisher, D Mehmet, C Wighton, S Young.