QUEENS HOLD THE PARS AT BAY

SHREK SCORES

Queens gained a thoroughly deserved draw against one of the better Premier league sides and with better finshing perhaps thay could have recorded a win. The Fifers fielded a strong eleven which included local favourite Nicholson and Lyle who is on loan from Queens. Queens were more or less at full strength but without the influential Paton. The referee blew for a minutes silence before the start in respect of ex-queens player/manager George Farm who died recently in Edinburgh. The attendance was perhaps around the 1,000 mark as the teams kicked off on an almost perfect pitch. Dunfermline seems surprised at the speed and skill of Queens as Bowey and Company dominated in midfield. Wilson and his fellow defenders seemed very uneasy indeed at times. Mc Niven had a great chance to put Queens one up but shot straight at Stillie. Queens however took the lead in 15 minutes with a well worked goal. Bowey carved open the Fifers defence and Mc Niven took his square pass to ram the ball into the corner of the net. The Fifers were stunned and a few minutes later they were almost 2-0 down as Bowey missed a sitter by shooting past the post with only Stillie to beat. Dunfermline steadied the ship and began to show their premier league pedigree and started to ask questions of the Queens defence.
Scott was however in outstanding form in the Queens goal and thwarted the eager visitors time and again. It has to be said that he had wonderful support from Reid and Thomson who both looked very sharp. Queens were well worth their interval lead and with some luck could have had a bigger lead.

Half Time - Queens 1 Dunfermline 0

Dunfermline came out with all guns blazing for the second half and the Queens defence had to be on their toes. They could do nothing about the Fifers equaliser on 49 minutes when a high cross caused panic in the home rearguard and Mehmet lobbed over the stranded Samson into the empty net. The Fifers now started to dominate but Queens were very dangerous on the counter attack with Gibson causing havoc on the left. The blonde winger almost scored when he cut in but his weak shot was gathered easily by Stillie. As the game reached it's climax both team seemed happy to settle for a draw. This was a useful game for Queens to guage themselves against a team at a higher level and they did very well indeed. We looked solid in defence and we have options in midfield. Our wide players look very sharp but we were again poor in front of goal. Mc Niven did well but Wood will have to sharpen up as his first touch is very poor at this moment. We are in reasonable shape and with two more friendlies to come we can look forward to going into battle against Airdrie with some optimism.

QUEENS REID KEEPS A CLOSE EYE ON NICHOLSON

BURNS TAKES ON THE FIFERS DEFENCE