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Gordon Chisholm rang the changes once again this week as he made full use of his squad. With Cammy Bell now clearly the first choice between the sticks his defence saw Tom Parratt step out and Michael McGowan drop back into the right back role with Jim Thomson, Craig Sives and Bob Harris making up the four.
Across the middle of the park Paul Burns started wide right with Neil Macfarlane coming back into the side alongside Steve Tosh in the middle. There was another change wide left as David Weatherston was awarded his first start for Queens at the expense of Gary Arbuckle. Up front there was no change as Stewart Kean And Stephen Dobbie continued. The bench saw a welcome return for Sean O'Connor and Jamie McQuilken alongside Stephen Simmons and Craig Barr whilst Bryn Halliwell provide goalkeeping cover.
It was a windy and wet Palmerston Park that saw an impressive crowd of 3,266 turn up, finding a dry spot even under the covered areas was difficult as the fine rain swirled around the park. The rain didn't seem to bother Queens though as they opted to shoot into the blustery conditions towards the Terregles Road end for the first half. And it was a half that was only three minutes old when Stephen Dobbie was sent clear by David Weatherson on the left hand side of the park. Dobbs cooly slotted the ball past Pierre Martini in the visitors goal to give his side a lead that they would never look back from.
Dobbs slips the first goal into the net
The second goal came in just twelve minutes as Neil Macfarlane fed Stephen Dobbie and the sublime skills of the front man allowed him to leave the defence for dead, round Martini and fire home a deserved second goal.
Dobbs gets around Martini to fire in the second
A shell-shocked Livvie looked for some inspiration and it was right back Dave Mackay who provided it as he found enough space on the right to turn inside Bob Harris before placing a superb effort into the top corner of the net out of the reach of Cammy Bell at full stretch.
Mackays super strike was unstoppable
The goal lifted Livvie and their passing game was impressive but ultimately toothless as Queens gave them some space in the middle of the park. It was still Queens who looked the more dangerous though and David Weatherson forced a good save from Martini as the youngster broke through down the right. As the half was drawing to a close Stewart Kean was hauled down in front of the dugouts. Steve Tosh took the free kick and it appeared to be too deep as Martini looked as though he would easily collect the ball. However the 'keeper decided to punch clear but didn't get enough force onto the punch and the ball fell to the feet of David Weatherston who delighted in slamming the ball home to give his side a 3-1 interval lead.
After the restart Queens were still hungry for goals and when Paul Burns won the ball on the right hand side of the box and stole into the area there was a queue of takers waiting along the edge of the six yard box. It was David Weatherson who joined Dobbs with two goals each who reached the cross from Burns right at the back post and sent it past Martini once again. A minute or two later it could have been five as Stephen Dobbie elected to square to Stewart Kean when through on goal but Keano's effort was deflected past for a corner.
Weatherston celebrates his second
Stephen Simmons was introduced on 63 minutes for the ever impressive Neil Macfarlane and with his first touch of the ball almost scored as a Stephen Dobbie cut-back was fortunate enough to be bundled away from Simmons' toe by the hapless Martini. Queens were well on top and worthy of their lead at this stage. Bob Harris, who looked to have picked up a knock was replaced by Jamie McQuilken and shortly afterwards Stephen Dobbie netted for the fifth time but only managed to have two count as his hat-trick of disallowed goals could probably be some sort of record.
With just fifteen minutes left and the match well and truly won at 4-1 Michael McGowan was fortunate enough to see a rash tackle from Callum Elliot soon enough to allow him to avoid the brunt of the force, however referee Boyle didn't hesitate in showing the Livvie forward a yellow card and when the culprit applauded the referee he was seeing yellow again followed by red and got the bonus of the clean water in the bath.
The nine men were not to make a dramatic comeback however as Queens pressed home their one man advantage and increased their winning margin as first Jamie McQuilken crashed home a spectacular effort from the edge of the box into the top corner after being set up by Steve Tosh and then Paul Burns slammed home number six to complete the rout. In between the last two goals Sean O'Connor made a welcome return to first team action as he replaced the tireless Stewart Kean.
Martini has time to admire the superb strike of Jamie McQuilken to make it 5-1
Burns knocks home number six, even though Dobbs really wanted it!
The final whistle blew and everyone in attendance rose to applaud the performance of a side that had today answered emphatically any doubters. Indeed on the way to the game today I was thinking about season 1985-86, some twenty three years ago. Queens had started the season well and led the league but as is often the case many Queens fans were unsure whether the side was as good as we all thought. Cowdenbeath were a fancied side and many felt that they would provide us with our stiffest test of the season, as it turned out on that October Saturday Queens went on to win by exactly the same scoreline 6-1, and we all know how good a season that was.
Colin Johnstone
You can view all of the photos from the game today at picasaweb.google.co.uk/queenofthesouthfc/
