Queen of the South v Stenhousemuir FC

Match Report

MATCH REPORT

Queen of the South v Stenhousemuir at Palmerston Park Dumfries on 30.7.16

Betfred Cup Section E             Att 1,013

Queen of the South 1 [Hamill 78] Stenhousemuir 0

Queen of the South – Robinson, Hamill, Marshall, Dowie, Higgins, Anderson, Miller, Lyle [Hilson 50], Pickard, Smith [Brotherston 74] and Dykes. Subs not used – Thomson, Brownlie, Jacobs, Hooper and Moxon.

Stenhousemuir – McCabe, McCormack [b73][Runciman 90], Hamilton, Meechan [b66], Kerr, Berry [b90], Gilhaney, Stirling [McCroary 86], McMenamin [b41], Millar [b52][Smith 79] and Cook. Subs not used – McMaster, Nash, Howarth and Docherty.

Referee – Kevin Graham         Assistants – Stuart Hodge and Connor Ashwood.

Although the Warriors ended the Betfred Cup campaign without any points and rooted to the bottom of the section there were positives to take from the competition as gradual improvements have been seen over a period of time although there is a way to go. There were several changes made to the team from Tuesday night with 18 year old Grant Hamilton making his debut at centre back which meant Ross Meechan moving to left back. Stephen Stirling returned to the side after illness and this meant that Liam McCroary dropping to the bench.

The hosts started well with the bulk of the play but lacked an edge to their play and it was actually Stenhousemuir that came closest with a Vinnie Berry effort that was comfortably saved by Lee Robinson, Ex Warrior Grant Anderson then saw an attempt go wide from a Jamie Hamill free kick. Colin McMenamin then saw a shot hit the back pole after just failing to curl in enough. However it was a Kieran Millar shot that came closest striking the crossbar in the 20^th minute with Robertson beaten. The Doonhamer’s appealed for a penalty when Aiden Smith went down in the box following a Jamie McCormack challenge but the referee rightly waived the appeals away.  Colin McCabe was slow to react in the 28^th minute to push a Hamill free kick into the danger area but luckily no one was able to pounce before the defence cleared. Towards the end of the half Stephen Stirling shot wide after a surging run by McCormack created an opening and at the other end a long throw by Jordan Marshall was flicked on by Anderson and then Jake Pickard but there were no takers at the back post. The half time whistle blew with boos ringing out from some of the Queen of the South support.

It could have got worse for them three minutes after the restart when Alan Cook had a decent opportunity after the ball held up but his attempt lacked power and was easily saved by Robinson. The home players and support were vocal in their appeals for a penalty just after the hour when Smith went down after close attention by Hamilton but once again no award was forthcoming. Four minutes later Cook shot just wide and he came close once again in the 71^st minute when a raking pass by Gilhaney picked him out and he saw Robertson badly positioned but his chip shot although it had the beating of the keeper failed to hit the target.

Queen of the South took the lead in the 78^th minute when a low drilled cross cum shot by Hamill was helped into the net by McCabe. After this and with a tired Stenhousemuir pushing for the equaliser they were caught out several times. Dean Brotherston having a couple of efforts one just wide and another just seeing the faintest of touches by McCabe to put it over the bar. Hamill almost scored a second wthl another low effort that was beaten out. Alan Cook saw a diving header saved with two minutes to go. In stoppage time 17 year old Calum Runciman made his debut replacing McCormack who had taken a knock and was subbed as a precautionary measure.

Although it wasn’t a convincing performance by the Dumfries men they did just enough to get the three points that saw them qualify for the next round of the Betfred Cup as one of the four top runners-up with Partick Thistle winning the section with a 100% record.