Dunfermline 3 Queen of the South 1
Saturday, 17th Apr 2021Scottish Championship: Euan Murray misses out and Mayo starts. Kevin O’Hara (10) 1-0: Fraser Murray (81) 2-0: James Maxwell (87)) 2-1: Ewan Henderson (90+1) 3-1:
A much needed win boosted Dunfermline`s play off hopes after Dom Thomas played a part in all three Pars goals against the Doonhamers.
High noon - the critical or appointed time of a decisive confrontation, crisis, or contest. With the kick off times football matches throughout the nation moved so as not to coincide with the funeral of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, it was somewhat appropriate that this match had a 12 o’clock kick off.
High noon was exactly what faced both Dunfermline Athletic and Queen of the South as neither team could afford to do anything other than win if they had hopes of finishing in a play off position above Inverness Caley Thistle. Games were running out and this was the third last fixture of the Championship season for both clubs. Due to their Scottish Cup involvement, Caley Thistle would host third placed Dundee on the following Tuesday evening.
Both Dunfermline and Queen of the South made one change from their midweek selections. Pars captain Euan Murray did not make it so Lewis Mayo stepped into central defence with Steven Whittaker taking on the captaincy. Allan Johnston brought back Isaiah Jones for Queens in place of Aidan Fitzpatrick.
East End Park was bathed in full sun as the home side waited for the visitors to emerge from the East Stand. With three former Pars - Gregor Buchanan, Willie Gibson and Rhys McCabe - Queen of the South kicked off attacking the goal at the McCathie Stand end.
Early play was cautious and both sides successfully defended seventh minute free kicks from the right side before Queens keeper Rohan Ferguson was in action to tip a ninth minute attempt from Dom Thomas over his crossbar. Dom delivered the corner from the right but the keeper punched that away.
Thomas was then to crash a shot towards the left side of the Queens net, Ferguson parried it and Kevin O’HARA reacted first following up to net from close range. Everyone made a checking look towards referee’s assistant Kylie McMullan, no flag and she made off back to her station. 1-0
In 13th minute Thomas cut in from the right and from the edge of the box released a good effort on target forcing Ferguson to make another save. Four minutes later Rhys Breen cut out a Thomas shot to the near post but the corner yielded nothing.
A long ball from Vytas Gašpuitis was deflected behind by Ayo Obileye for the first of another two corners from the right but Queens survived the threat with Mayo header back towards the six yard box being cleared. The visitors were making many calls to concentrate and organise as again Thomas cut in from the right to create more danger.
A 26th minute corner picked out Gašpuitis but he could not bet his header on target and next Ferguson’s outstretched right foot kept out Declan McManus as he broke into the right side of the visitors box.
To threaten Owain Fôn Williams the opposition had been limited to long McCabe throw ins but in 31 minutes the big Welsh had to stop a well struck shot from Dapo Mebude that he gathered at his second attempt. Then next minute McCabe was allowed to run from deep to hit a 30 yard shot that cleared the crossbar.
There were loud appeals for handball in 37 minutes as McCabe launched another throw into the Pats box but deaf ears from the referee. Two minutes later Gibson forced Queens first corner but that was headed clear by Ewan Henderson. Josh Edwards was forced into conceding another when Jones got deep down the right. The corner instigated more appeals from the Queens players and bench after Obileye was taken down in the centre of the box. Referee David Lowe looked long but no whistle.
Three minutes from the interval Henderson hit a free kick from 35 yards out on target but comfortably taken by Ferguson. A Wighton run next teed up Henderson but his shot was blocked for a corner on the left that was overhit.
In the first minute of time added on Ciaran Dickson played a great ball through for Connor Shields but Fôn Williams made a great save to concede a corner on the left. From that Obileye smashed a good attempt on target but again Fôn Williams pulled off another brilliant stop.
Despite it getting shakey towards half time it was a good first 45 from the Pars with 61% possession.
Half time: Dunfermline 1 Queen of the South 0
It was the ninth minute of the second half before a Pars corner from the left brought Ferguson was brought into action to hold the cross. Next minute good individual work by Wighton carved a route into the Queens box and Ferguson did well to beat away the striker’s shot. Aaron Comrie followed up but blasted high.
Fraser Murray replaced Declan McManus in 56 minutes. Henderson sent Wighton up the right but his shot from a difficult angle went wide. On the hour Queen of the South then made a double substitution bringing on Stephen Dobbie and Aidan Fitzpatrick to take the place of Ciaran Dickson and Isaiah Jones.
It was Obileye’s 65th minute shot that threatened next, the fierce attempt from 25 yards out escaping just wide left. The Dumfries side began to enjoy more play in the Dunfermline half, Fôn Williams was happy to watch a Dobbie cross drop behind his goal but got fortunate in 74 minute when, on the edge of the box, hitting a clearance off Edwards with ball rebounding off target for a corner on the left.
After a delay while Edwards received treatment the corner reached the far side of the Fifers six yard box and deflected behind for a goal kick. Then in 81 minutes Fraser MURRAY gave Dunfermline the second goal that they had been chasing.
It came after tremendous perseverance and control from Thomas. Receiving a Whittaker pass the former Killie man carried the ball up the right, cut in choosing not to lay off to O’Hara but instead terrorising Maxwell to make ground along the byeline and tee up the on loan Hibee at the far post. 2-0
Three minutes from time MAXWELL hooked in a left footed shot to reduce the advantage. But in the first minute of added time Ewan HENDERSON would net a third. A long ball out of the under pressure Fifers defence drew Ferguson out of his goal but 35 yards out O’Hara beat the keeper, stopped the ball going out on the right side of goal to cut back for Thomas who picked out the on loan Celtic man. 3-1
Dobbie had one final crack from a 95th minute free kick but although his effort from 22 yards out went around the five man wall it hit off the outside of the left goalpost. This had been a great performance from the Pars led by an inspirational performance from Dom Thomas. Maybe Dunfermline should kick off at 12 every week?
Dunfermline`s win took them above Inverness Caley Thistle, two points better off than the Highlanders who have a game in hand against third placed Dundee. Raith Rovers win at Alloa confirmed the Stark`s Park side`s play off place.
SUBS NOT USED: Lewis McCann, Paul Allan, Kyle Macdonald, Matthew Todd, Cammy Gill (GK)
SCORERS: O’Hara (10), F Murray (81), Henderson (90+1)
YELLOW CARD: Whittaker (90+4), Fôn Williams (90 +5)
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH: Rohan Ferguson: Willie Gibson, Gregor Buchanan (c), Rhys Breen, James Maxwell: Ayo Obileye (Daniel Pybus, 77): Ciaran Dickson (Aidan Fitzpatrick 60), Rhys McCabe, Isaiah Jones (Stephen Dobbie 60), Connor Shields, Dapo Mebude.
SUBS NOT USED: Niyah Joseph, Nortei Nortey, Euan East, Jack Leighfield (GK).
SCORERS: Maxwell (87))
REFEREE: David Lowe
WEATHER: Sunny 11°C
ATTENDANCE
NEXT MATCH: Scottish Championship (home) v Arbroath, Saturday 17th April 2021, kick off 3.00pm at East End Park (behind closed doors).
50/50 Draw 100014543 won £173
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Preview Queen of the South
Saturday, 17th Apr 2021Scottish Championship (home) v Queen of the South, Saturday 17th April 2021, kick off 12 noon behind closed doors
Saturday’s home match brings sixth placed Queen of the South to meet fifth placed Dunfermline with both teams seeking the three points that would take them above or level on points with fourth placed Inverness.
With only three league fixtures left of the 2020-2021 season time and games are running out for those challenging for a play off place and both Dunfermline and Queen of the South will feel that they need to win this match.
Milestones Queen of the South (Home)
Last League Victory | 31/10/20 | 3-2 | Championship
Last League Defeat | 20/10/18 | 0-1 | Championship
Best League Victory
30/12/72 | 6-1 | Div One (old)
16/04/11 | 6-1 | First Division
Worst League Defeat | 09/12/17 | 2-5 | Championship
Last Goalless Draw | 01/09/76 | 0-0 | League Cup
First Ever Meeting | 12/12/25 | 4-0 | Second Division
Dunfermline have lost only eight of 42 league games at home to Queen of the South. They have won 27 and drawn seven.
Dunfermline 3-2 Queen of the South
Sat, 31st Oct 2020
Last Twelve League Matches v Queen of the South
Date: H/A F-A WDL League
27/02/21: (A) L 0-1 Championship
31/10/20: (H) W 3-2 Championship
07/03/20: (H) D 1-1 Championship
01/02/20: (A) W 3-2 Championship
02/11/19: (H) W 2-0 Championship
10/08/19: (A) D 1-1 Championship
20/04/19: (A) L 1-2 Championship
02/03/19: (H) W 1-0 Championship
15/12/18: (A) L 0-0 Championship
20/10/18: (H) L 0-1 Championship
31/03/18: (H) W 3-1 Championship
24/02/18: (A) D 0-0 Championship
In the last twelve meetings, Dunfermline have won five, Queen of the South four and three have been drawn.
Last meeting at East End Park
Dunfermline 3 Queen of the South 2
Saturday 31st October 2020, Championship
In 21 minutes Euan MURRAY found himself in space beyond the left goalpost to forcefully head the ball home, his fifth goal of the season. 1-0
Declan McMANUS converted a 43rd minute penalty sending the ball into the top right for 2-0 and a deserved half time lead.
Euan East was a half time sub for Queens and six minutes into the second half after a series of fast interchanges it was East who received the pass from Fitzpatrick to served up McKEE a strike on target from 20 yards out. Fôn Williams got a touch on it but could not keep it out and it was 2-1.
Dunfermline would go further ahead on the hour however from a Thomas corner on the left. Both teams central defenders tussled and were settled by the referee but when the cross came in both Pars men attacked the near post, Murray got a bite but as the ball was defended Paul WATSON smashed in a left footed shot. 3-1
The visitors got back into the game in 74 minutes when Stephen DOBBIE scored from the penalty spot. Fitzpatrick was deemed to have been taken down by Wilson’s outstretched leg and the 37 year old striker made no mistake. 3-2
Dunfermline’s sixth successive win made it the best ever start to the season for the club and top of the League after three matches.
DUNFERMLINE: Owain Fôn Williams: Aaron Comrie (Iain Wilson 38), Paul Watson, Euan Murray (c), Josh Edwards: Steven Whittaker: Dom Thomas, Kyle Turner, Kerr McInroy: Kevin O’Hara (Fraser Murray 69), Declan McManus.
SUBS NOT USED: Lewis Mayo, Lewis McCann, Miller Fenton, Lucas Berry, Cammy Gill (GK)
SCORERS: E Murray (21), McManus (43 pen.), Watson (60)
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH: Rohan Ferguson: Willie Gibson, Gregor Buchanan (Nortei Nortey 63), Ayo Obileye, James Maxwell: Daniel Pybus, Calvin McGrory (Euan East HT), Joe McKee, Aidan Fitzpatrick: Connor Shields, Stephen Dobbie (c).
SUBS NOT USED: Tommy Goss, Diste Camara Sylla, Harry Robinson, Niyah Joseph, Jack Leighfield (GK)
Recent Form
Dunfermline have now gone seven matches without a win and have drawn their last three league games.
Queen of the South have won only one of their last six matches but that was at Tynecastle. They have a decent away record having more points on the road than at home with no teams in the league having more away matches than them.
DUNFERMLINE
Dundee ( H) D 0-0
Ayr United (A) D 1-1
Hearts (H) D 0-0
Raith Rovers (A) L 1-5
Dundee (A) L 2-3
Morton (A) D 0-0
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH
Raith Rovers (H) L 0-1
Inverness Caley Thistle (H) D 1-1
Hibernian (H) L -3
Hearts (A) W 3-2
Morton (A) L 1-2
Alloa Athletic (H) L 2-3
Current League Stats
DUNFERMLINE
League Position: 5th
League Points: 33
Goal Difference: +2
Home League Record: P12 W7 D3 L2 GF17 GA9
Last Six Match Form: DLLDDD
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH
League Position: 6th
League Points: 31
Goal Difference: -9
Away League Record: P11 W5 D1 L6 GF20 GA24
Last Six Match Form: LLWLDL
Last Time Out
DUNFERMLINE (v Dundee): Owain Fôn Williams: Aaron Comrie, Vytas Gašpuitis, Euan Murray (c), Josh Edwards: Craig Wighton (Lewis McCann 86), Steven Whittaker (Lewis Mayo 65), Ewan Henderson, Dom Thomas: Declan McManus: Kevin O’Hara (Fraser Murray 76).
SUBS NOT USED: Paul Watson, Kyle Macdonald, Kerr McInroy, Cammy Gill (GK)
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH (v Raith Rovers): Rohan Ferguson: Willie Gibson, Gregor Buchanan, Rhys Breen, James Maxwell: Ayo Obileye: Ciaran Dickson (Isaac Jones 83), Rhys McCabe, Aidan Fitzpatrick (Niyah Joseph 80): Connor Shields, Dapo Mebude.
SUBS NOT USED: Nortei Nortey, Joe McKee, Daniel Pybus, Euan East, Jack Leighfield (GK).
The referee will be David Lowe (pictured above) whose only previous match in charge of a Dunfermline match was that against East Kilbride in the 2019 Betfred Cup.
Other Championship Fixtures
Alloa Athletic v Raith Rovers
Arbroath v Ayr United
Inverness Caley Thistle v Dundee (Tuesday)
Morton v Hearts (Tuesday)
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