Archives | Dunfermline 1 Queen’s Park 2

The Spiders came to KDM Group East End Park undefeated in their last three matches, all home games. Dunfermline had won two of their last four matches and in their last two home games drawn with Ayr United and defeated Raith Rovers.

James McPake gave both Craig Clay and Matty Todd starts, the latter his first start since 27th April, in place of Kieran Ngwenya and Kane Ritchie-Hosler. In the continued absence of Tobi Oluwayemi, Deniz Mehmet continued in goals with 17 year old keeper Lewis Briggs on the bench. Queen`s Park manager Callum Davidson made two changes Josh Scott and Josh Hinds dropping out to make way for Henry Fieldson and their captain, former Pars favourite, Dom Thomas.

The sun came out briefly as Todd kicked the match off but it was from two successive corners in nine minutes that Dunfermline created the first chances. Both taken by David Wotherspoon his second from the right was cleared only as far as Clay and his shot ricocheted off Lewis McCann only to be blocked en route to goal. The visitors forced a corner of their own in 14 minutes and it was from that they opened their account. Thomas` cross from the left was diverted towards the net by Dane Murray and Zak RUDDEN was in the ruck on the goalie to prod the ball home. 0-1

Clay played Comrie into the right side of the Queens Park box, his 20th minute cross was headed out by Kerr but McCann`s follow up header went wide right. Then when Wotherspoon`s pass in field went to Thomas it required a desperate Chris Hamilton intervention 20 yards out to prevent the shot. The Pars captain was shown a yellow card and then from Murray`s free kick Hammy, at the end of a six man defensive wall, was felled by the blast. Play stopped and the applied treatment thankfully allowed the 23 year old to continue.

The home fans were growing increasingly frustrated and let their feelings known as Chris Kane laid the ball off towards Todd and Wotherspoon but no shot was forthcoming. Nine minutes from the interval Ewan Otoo went down on the deck as sustaining a knock but continued after treatment. Both teams had grouped at the stoppage to use it was a time-out but it continued with Queen`s Park doing most of the attacking and Dunfermline being called upon to defend.

There were home appeals for a penalty in added time as Comrie appeared to be hauled down in the box as he went for a Wotherspoon cross from the left but the first half stats reflected the play, only 41% home possession and Calum Ferrie the Queen`s Park keeper with no saves.

Half time: Dunfermline 0 Queen`s Park 1

There was a pressing need for something to change and that was clearly evident as the management team made three substitutions before the second half kicked off. Dunfermline switched to a back three as Sam Fisher, Joe Chalmers and Josh Cooper replaced Chris Hamilton, Matty Todd and David Wotherspoon. The half was only five minutes on when Sam Young also went off and Kane Ritchie-Hosler was introduced. Clay won a 55th minute corner that Cooper launched in from the left narrowly evading Kane`s leap.

It was the 188 sun-kissed Queen`s Park fans in the Macklin Motors stand who enjoyed the next success. Mehmet did well to save after Thomas had been gifted possession in the final third. The resultant penalty saw Kerr head the ball back across goal for Sean WELSH to head home. 0-2

Mehmet had to save a forceable attempt from Rudden before at the other end Dunfermline were denied a penalty after Cooper`s shot appeared to hit an opponent`s hand and then he was impeded by Ferrie as he tried to net the follow up. No joy and frustration bubbled over on the bench with assistant manager Dave Mackay being shown a yellow card.

A McCann shot in 69 minutes was blocked and went behind for a corner on the left. This time Cooper picked out Comrie at the far post but his headed went into the sidenetting. Craig Wighton had replaced Craig Clay and it was the subs pressure that got McCann the opportunity to shoot from the right side but that was defended.

Better luck in 78 minutes when Ritchie-Hosler`s pass in to COOPER in the left side of the box was tucked away in the bottom right. 1-2

There was now renewed optimism that something could be salvaged from the match and Dunfermline had a right go at it. An 82nd minute Otoo pass sent McCann in on the left and Will Tizzard was happy to hand Dunfermline another corner. Again Queen`s Park defended but McCann forced an 86th Chalmers towards Otoo shot deflected to Comrie whose effort was sent wide. Another corner and more Fifers pressure as the ball pinged around in front of goal.

Chalmers had an effort blocked and then Kane suffered the same fate. Cooper connected as Chalmers delivered another corner from right but that too got blocked. It had been one almighty assault on the Queen`s Park goal but it survived.

Into added time and a long throw from McCann failed to meet the target of Fogarty, Wighton got in another shot from an Otoo pass and Ritchie-Hosler had the final effort but his header was held by Ferrie. Queens Park won their headers, blotted out the shots and wiping their battles to take the three points. They secure fourth place while Dunfermline slip to ninth equal on points with their next opponents, Airdrieonians.

DUNFERMLINE: Deniz Mehmet: Aaron Comrie, Tommy Fogarty, Sam Young (Kane Ritchie-Hosler 50), Ewan Otoo: Matty Todd (Joe Chalmers HT), Chris Hamilton (c)(Sam Fisher HT), Craig Clay (Craig Wighton 74), David Wotherspoon (Josh Cooper HT): Lewis McCann, Chris Kane.`¨SUBS NOT USED: Michael O`Halloran, Taylor Sutherland, Lewis Briggs (GK).
YELLOW CARDS: Hamilton (24), Wotherspoon (39), Dave Mackay (64)

QUEEN`S PARK: Calum Ferrie: Cammy Kerr, Will Tizzard, Dane Murray, Henry Fieldson: Sean Welsh: Jack Turner, Dom Thomas (c), Roddy Macgregor: Ryan Duncan (Louis Longridge 74), Zak Rudden`¨SUBS NOT USED: Zach Mauchin, Nikola Ujdur, Josh Hinds, Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia, Liam McLeish, Reece Evans, Timam Scott, Jack Wills (GK)
YELLOW CARDS: Welsh (64), Macgregor (90+4)

REFEREE: Duncan Nicolson
ATTENDANCE: 4494 (inc 188 away fans)
WEATHER: Sunny Intervals 12°C

NEXT MATCH (away) v Airdrieonians, Saturday 5th October 2024, kick off 3.00pm at the Albert Bartlett Stadium