Archives | Dunfermline 2 Queens Park 0

William Hill Championship
Matchday #6
Saturday 12th September 2026
KDM Group East End Park

The Pars had won only one of the previous seven home matches against the Spiders and scored only one goal - from the penalty spot - in the last fixture back in February. They went into this their sixth league fixture of the campaign, on the back of a disappointing draw away to Arbroath. Neil Lennon termed that performance outstanding but with only 3 goals in five league matches, it was clear that finding the net has not been their forte. The Pars manager made only change bringing in 20 year-old Rory Macleod to play wide and allow Olamilekan Adams to be a threat in a more central area. Zak Rudden dropped to the bench.

Following their first league win at home to Morton the previous week, Queen`s Park manager Sean Crighton named an unchanged starting eleven. That meant former Pars Euan Murray, Louis Longridge, Aidan Connolly and Nikolay Todorov return as opponents.

Dunfermline kicked off attacking the goal in front of the Vertu Community Stand. Andrew Tod was presented with a fantastic chance within two minutes from a MacLeod cross. Somehow the ball escaped wide right with everyone shedding splinters as scratched their heads over the miss. Nurudeen Abdulai surprised Queen`s Park a the central defender took a touch on and released a decent effort that keeper Jack Wills had to parry away.

There was no need to dwell on the two early chances because Josh COOPER timed his run sweetly to meet Dylan Lobban`s low cross. His seventh minute finish opened the scoring for the home side and took his total for the season to five. 1-0

Play continued with several more good crosses emanating from the right. Another Lobban delivery was defended out to Robbie Fraser who returned it with pace and Wills did well to touch the ball over the bar. There then followed three consecutive corners from the right side. Allan Oyirwoth`s attempt was blocked by Euan Murray before Tod and Abdulai created another major chance from the third but Tod`s cross was cut out before it reached Adams.

The visitors had been well out of the match but managed to force a corner at the midway point of the first half. A Longridge shot was headed away before the Fifers re established their command and doubled their lead through MACLEOD. Teed up by Sam Cleall-Harding`s touch on a Queen`s Park clearance Rory sunk a left footed shot from 25 yards clinically past Wills and so celebrated his first start of the season with his first goal since December. 2-0

Two minutes later, on the half hour, Oyirwoth demonstrated the kind of skills that has no doubt earned him the call up for Uganda`s upcoming AFCON qualifiers. Receiving a pass from Tod, the 19 year-old signed from New England Revolution only in August, used fiery footwork to carve himself an opportunity which unfortunately was punctuated with a shot narrowly wide left of goal.

Dunfermline looked as though they might run riot. A slick one-two on the edge of the box saw Cooper release a shot for Wills to show his worth. Then Adams managed to place his effort wide left and Cooper pumped a left footed shot from 25 yards out over the Queen`s crossbar.

Sean Crighton must have been relieved to get his Queen`s Park team in at the break with just the two goal deficit. For the first 45 Dunfermline had performed at pace and much intent making them close to unplayable.

Half Time: Dunfermline 2 Queen`s Park 0

Two substitutions by the Spiders before the resumption saw Nikolay Todorov and Louis Longridge replaced by Tyrece McDonnell and Aiden McCallion. Cutting the total age of their team by 27 years in the process it was no surprise that the change heralded a more lively visitors team. There was a resultant increase in Queen`s possession and Connolly`s deliveries began to be packed with danger.

Macleod`s dipping effort that just cleared the bar shook Dunfermline back into attack mode and they tormented Queen`s Park with good passing moves around the visitors box. Oyirwoth grabbed another opportunity to fire at target but his 68th minute shot was deflected away for a corner. Next minute Tod had his attempt cleared and the 20 year-old`s 76th minute left footed drive from 20 yards was held by keeper Wills, albeit at his second attempt.

Substitutions by both sides consumed a chunk of the final quarter of the game but Queens grew an increasing threat. In 79th minute another Connolly free kick was swung through the Pars box but Murray was offside in his urge to grab a goal back. Dunfermline had to defend six corners between 84th and 90th minute but those and the three added minutes were seen out with nothing to damage Aston Oxborough`s defence`s back to back home clean sheets. The win took Dunfermline to fifth place on nine points after six league games.

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