Queens made the short trip into Ayrshire for a midweek friendly with Ayr United buoyed by the five goal win over Annan at the weekend. Gordon Chisholm made four changes to the starting line up. New signing Bryn Halliwell had a thigh strain so a Trialist goalkeeper was included, with another on the bench. Andy Aitken, Scott Robertson and Jamie McQuilken also started in place of Thomson, Burns and O'Connor. The Ayr squad contained five ex-Queens players, including two of last year's squad in Neil McGowan and Stephen Grindlay. The others were Murray Henderson, Alex Williams and David Bagan (as a Trialist), all of whom began on the bench.
The opening few minutes were most notable for Dobbie sustaining a foot injury in a challenge with Scott Walker that required some treatment before he could continue. Ayr should have taken the least in 15 minutes when Easton's through ball played their trialist No 10 (David Gormley) in on goal. However, clean through with just the keeper to beat he placed his shot wide of target. A few minutes later Tosh struck a powerful long range effort but Grindlay was behind it.
The next half hour passed almost completely without note but in the final minute of the half Queens grabbed the lead. Stevie Tosh's long crossfield left to right pass found Stephen Dobbie in space and one touch took him round Easton like he wasn't there before a first time right foot shot curled round Grindlay and into the bottom left corner of the net from 18 yards.
Early in the second half Dean Keenan tested the Queens trialist keeper with a firm shot from a tight angle but he was equal to it and held the ball firm. Five minutes later Gormley again got behind the defence but was no more successful than his previous effort with his early chip. It was time for the subs to start and in 57 minutes Ayr replaced Walker and Prunty with Williams and Henderson whilst Queens sent on O'Connor and Thomson for McQuilken and Aitken. Two minutes later Scott Robertson was replaced by another Trialist in midfield whilst Ayr replaced Grindlay with a Trialist goalkeeper sub.
Midway through the half Ayr came closest yet to scoring when Borris curled an effort narrowly wide via a deflection off Craig Barr. There were more subs to make though and in 71 minutes Tosh and Dobbie were replaced by Burns and Adams whilst Borris and Chris Aitken were replaced by Agnew and yet another Trialist for the home side. Minutes later Alex Williams' header was blocked by Jim Thomson as it seemed destined for goal. Queens doubled the lead on 77 minutes though as O'Connor headed on for Paul Burns to nip in behind the defence and nick the ball over the keeper. There was some confusion as the referee clearly blew his whistle before the ball crossed the line but it was in fact a goal he was awarding. A minute later it was 3-0 as Burns cross was headed home by Stewart Kean. Straight away Ayr replaced Dempsie with Weaver.
Stevenson forced a good save from the Trialist in Queens goal before up the other end O'Connor had a shot deflected wide and Queens took the chance to switch Trialists in goal. At the same time Ayr put on their final Trialist (Bagan) for Ryan Stevenson. There was no further scoring though and Queens ran out comfortable 3-0 winners from a worthwhile exercise.
Ewan Lithgow
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