Queen of the South 0 Dunfermline 2
Saturday, 25th Feb 2023cinch League One: two changes as Joe Chalmers and Nikolay Todorov start in place of Chris Hamilton and Robbie Mahon. Craig Wighton (22) 0-1: Josh Todd (o.g.47) 0-2:
![](https://backup.dafc.co.uk/files/CBPA0899_5888.jpg)
Dunfermline Athletic returned to Palmerston Park to take on a Queen of the South side now under the managership of Marvin Bartley. By his own admission Queens had mixed performances of late, the most recent a 3-0 defeat at Kelty but he relished the test provided by this meeting at home to the league leaders.
Both sides made two changes to their starting elevens. James McPake went with Joe Chalmers and Nikolay Todorov which meant Chris Hamilton and Robbie Mahon dropped to the bench. Martin Bartley brought in Cammy Logan and Kieran McKechnie in the absence of Paul McKay and Lewis Gibson who was on the bench.
The Fifers kicked off attacking the goal at the stand end and the match opened in competitive manner. Jaze Kabia was penalised for his challenge on Deniz Mehmet as he tried to finish a McKechnie cross and in six minutes Chris Mochrie drove a shot narrow wide right from 18 yards out.
Josh Edwards delivered a dangerous ball in from the left that Kane Ritchie-Hosler fed to Craig Wighton in the middle of the Queens box but the striker was closed out and could not get a shot away. Play halted for an injury to Kabia, treatment failed to remedy his injury so Lewis Gibson was brought on as a 15th minute sub for the home team.
![](https://backup.dafc.co.uk/files/CBPA0572_0304.jpg)
Todorov came close to making a telling finish on Edwards 20th minute cross but two minutes later it was Ritchie-Hosler’s run up the right that created the opening for WIGHTON to net despite the efforts of defender Jack Brydon to keep it out. 0-1
A McKechnie cross in from the right was met by Ruari Paton but his header at the far post was misdirected. Next a Gibson ball in from the left saw McKechnie head on target and Mehmet had to drop to his left to hold.
The Fifers next attempt came from Matty Todd who travelled up the left, cut in and blasted a right footed shot over from the edge of the box. At the other end Mehmet palmed behind a Josh Todd effort for a corner which he subsequently held. Then Mochrie broke up the visitors left but unfortunately he sent his shot just wide of the far post.
![](https://backup.dafc.co.uk/files/CBPB0067_0479.jpg)
Good link up by Queens got Stephen Hendry close enough for a pop at goal but that went over the bar. The home side kept up the pressure seeking an equaliser before the break. Mehmet held from a Murray free kick before Comrie was up to try a shot that rebounded off Josh Todd.
Chalmers cleared another McKechnie cross and Murray’s 45th minute corner from the right led to another and some resolute defending before the completion of just over two minutes of time added on. Despite being less than convincing, the Pars went in ahead having had 59% possession but trailing the hosts on shots.
Half Time: Queen of the South 0 Dunfermline 1
The Pars second half got off to the best possible start. Comrie’s attempted cross was deflected behind for a 47th minute corner on the right. Chalmers crossed and Kyle Benedictus challenged for the ball, it broke off Josh TODD and in off the crossbar to make it 2-0 from six yards out.
![](https://backup.dafc.co.uk/files/CBPA0872_4630.jpg)
In tenth minute of the second half new loan signing Paul McGowan replaced Chris Mochrie. A slick move with Wighton picking out Ritchie-Hosler saw Edwards arrived on the left side of the Queens box but his screamer was high. Wighton then had the ball in the home net but that was ruled out since Todorov had taken out both Euan East and his keeper, Kevin Dabrowski in taking down the ball.
Wighton’s 62nd minute pass picked out Todd in front of goal but Dabrowsk saved. Queens defended another Chalmers from the right but then conceded a free kick in taking down Matty Todd. Chalmers setpiece from 30 yards out was sliced by Harry Cochrane into the arms of his keeper.
Kevin O’Hara had already come on for Craig Wighton before, with twelve minutes to go Lewis McCann replaced Nikolay Todorov and Chris Hamilton Matty Todd.
![](https://backup.dafc.co.uk/files/CBPA1230_5264.jpg)
Breen and Benedictus both had headers away from inside their penalty box before Hendrie powered a shot from 25 yards out narrowly over the bar. McGowan was bowled over by Todd to give McCann an opportunity from a free kick 27 yards out but he smashed the ball wide left of target.
Hamilton and O’Hara both had shots blocked and an O’Hara was deflected wide for a 90th minute corner on the left that the home side defended. Dunfermline comfortably saw out the game to take the three points north. The Pars third successive 2-0 wins at Palmerston Park. With Falkirk winning at Airdrie the gap between first and second remained five points.
![](https://backup.dafc.co.uk/files/CBPB0766_8264.jpg)
SUBS NOT USED: Ross Irving, Calvin McGrory, David McKay, Michael Ruth, Dom McMahon, Ryan Muir, Gordon Botterill (GK)
YELLOW CARD: McKechnie (27)
DUNFERMLINE: Deniz Mehmet: Aaron Comrie, Kyle Benedictus (c), Rhys Breen: Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Joe Chalmers, Matthew Todd (Chris Hamilton 78), Josh Edwards: Chris Mochrie (Paul McGowan 55): Craig Wighton (Kevin O’Hara 62), Nikolay Todorov (Lewis McCann 78)
SUBS NOT USED: Kyle Macdonald, Ewan Otoo, Paul Allan, Robbie Mahon, Max Little (GK).
SCORERS: Wighton (22), J Todd (o.g. 47)
YELLOW CARD: Breen (16)
REFEREE: Chris Fordyce
WEATHER: Cool 7°C
ATTENDANCE 1298
NEXT MATCH: cinch League One (home) v Alloa Athletic, Saturday 4th March 2023 kick off 3.00pm at The KDM Group East End Park
Views : 4,653
Related Stories
- Manager post Queen of the South
- Preview Queen of the South
- Paul fighting his corner for a place
- Manager previews Queen of the South
-
Queen of the South 0-2 Dunfermline
Sat, 25th Feb 2023
-
James McPake post Queen of the South
Sat, 25th Feb 2023
-
Kyle Benedictus post Queen of the South
Sat, 25th Feb 2023
Match Photos To Follow.
Preview Queen of the South
Saturday, 25th Feb 2023cinch League One (away) Saturday 25th February 2023, kick off 3.00pm at Palmerston Park
Dunfermline Athletic travel to Dumfries on Saturday to face a Queen of the South side who sit seventh in the league, 21 points behind leaders the Pars.
Milestones away to Queen of the South
Last win | 03/09/22 | 2-0 | League One
Last defeat | 02/10/21 | 0-1 | Championship
Best League win | 02/05/09 & 14/04/82 | 3-0 | Division One
Worst League defeat | 13/12/75 | 2-5 | Division One
Last Goalless Draw | 15/12/18 | 0-0 | Championship
First Fixture | 24/04/26 | 1-2 | Division Two (old)
Highest Aggregate | 13/12/75 | 2-5 | Division One
Last time at Palmerston Park
League One, Saturday 3rd September 2023
Queen of the South 0-2 Dunfermline
Sat, 3rd Sep 2022
A commanding first half performance earned the Pars an important victory at Palmerston Park.
A sustained period of early pressure earned the Fifers the opener. Macdonald provided the cross and TODOROV rose about his defender to deflect the ball home. The striker’s fifth goal of the season, 19 minutes on the clock and the visitors one up.
The Pars would go 2-0 up in the first minute of time added on at the end of the first half. David Mackay was shown yellow in conceding a free kick 25 yards out on the right side and the Fifers converted from the setplay.
It was not without controversy however since the assistant referee raised his flag for offside. Rhys BREEN had slid in to net at the far post to meet Chalmers delivery and after referee Stewart Luke consulted his linesman he awarded the goal it being deemed that the ball reached Rhys off Cochrane, an opposition player. Following the previous week’s disallowed goal Breen was eventually able to celebrate.
The home side tried hard to recover for the next 45 minutes but the Pars saw the match out to go top of the table.
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH: Max Currie: David McKay, Ciaran McKenna (Wullie Gibson 63) Stephen Hendrie, Euan East: Ruari Paton (Connor Murray 63), Josh Todd, Harry Cochrane (Rico Quitongo HT), Calvin McGrory (Iain Wilson 78): Gavin Reilly, Lee Connelly (Michael Ruth 78).
SUBS NOT USED: Ben Johnstone, Kieran McKechnie, Ross Irving, Scott Fox (GK).
DUNFERMLINE: Deniz Mehmet: Aaron Comrie, Kyle Benedictus (c), Rhys Breen, Josh Edwards: Joe Chalmers: Kyle Macdonald (Sam Fisher 83), Matthew Todd, Chris Mochrie (Chris Hamilton 73): Kevin O’Hara (Lewis McCann 58), Nikolay Todorov
SUBS NOT USED: Andrew Tod, Taylor Sutherland, Max Little (GK)
Last Twelve Matches v Queen of the South
In the last twelve meetings, Dunfermline have won six, Queen of the South three and three have been drawn.
Date: . . | H/A | WDL | F-A | Competition
03/12/22 | (H) | D | 1-1 | League One
03/09/22 | (A) | W | 2-0 | League One
29/04/22 | (H) | L | 1-2 | Championship
29/01/22: | (A) | W | 2-0 | Championship
11/12/21: (H) | D | 3-3 | Championship
02/10/21: (A) | L | 0-1 | Championship
17/04/21: (H) | W | 3-1 | Championship
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
Recent Form
Looking to make it three wins from three in the league, manager Marvin Bartley took his side to Kelty Hearts last weekend and left following an emphatic Kelty win. Queen of the South have not enjoyed the best of results since their relegation from the Championship last season. They have lost 14 of their 35 matches this season and they have won just three of their eight league matches since they drew at The KDM Group East End Park in December.
Dunfermline have lost only three times this season in all competitions and are undefeated in the league since October. They have played seven league games since last playing Queens, winning five and drawing two.
Last six matches
DUNFERMLINE
Airdrieonians (H) D 1-1
Airdrieonians (A) W 4-3
Montrose (H) W 2-0
Clyde (A) D 1-1
Dundee (A) L 2-4
Partick Thistle (A) D 1-1
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH
Kelty Hearts (A) L 0-3
Hamilton Academical (A) L 1-2 aet
FC Edinburgh (H) W 1-0
Peterhead (W) W 3-1
Montrose (A) L 0-1
Kelty Hearts (H) D 0-0
League Record
DUNFERMLINE
League Position: 1st
League Points: 53
Goal Difference: +24
Away League Record: P12 W9 D2 L1 GF21 GA7
Last Six Match Form: DLDWWD
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH
League Position: 7th
League Points: 32
Goal Difference: -3
Home League Record: P12 W5 D2 L5 GF18 GA16
Last Six Match Form: DLWWLL
Last Time Out
DUNFERMLINE (v Airdrieonians): Deniz Mehmet: Aaron Comrie, Kyle Benedictus (c), Rhys Breen, Josh Edwards: Chris Hamilton (Joe Chalmers 65): Robbie Mahon (Lewis McCann 55), Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Chris Mochrie: Matthew Todd (Nikolay Todorov 65): Craig Wighton.
SUBS NOT USED: Kyle Macdonald, Kevin O’Hara, Ewan Otoo, Paul Allan, Miller Fenton, Max Little (GK).
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH (v Kelty Hearts): Maciej Kevin Dabrowski: Steven Hendrie, Paul McKay (Cammy Logan 75), Euan East, Jack Brydon, Josh Todd, Harry Cochrane (Calvin McGrory 69), Connor Murray (Iain Wilson 69), Ruari Paton, Jaze Kabia (Ross Irving 57), Lewis Gibson (Kieran McKechnie 57).
SUBS NOT USED: David McKay, Michael Ruth, Dom McMahon, Gordon Botterill (GK)
Other League One Fixtures
Airdrieonians v Falkirk
Alloa Athletic v Montrose
FC Edinburgh v Clyde
Peterhead v Kelty Hearts
Views : 6,619
Related Stories
- Dunfermline 1 Airdrieonians 1
- Airdrieonians 3 Dunfermline 4
- Manager post Airdrieonians
- DAFC v Falkirk - Re-arranged date announced