QoS : Report - Falkirk 26.8.17 (original) (raw)

Stephen Dobbie`s first hat-trick since 2009 helped Queens on their way to a simply fantastic 4-1 win at the Falkirk Stadium.

It only took Jason Kerr 65 seconds to head the visitors into the lead and followed by Dobbie to give the Doonhamers a great half-time advantage. Dobbie scored a stunner from the kick-off and the game was put to bed moments later when Dobbs converted a penalty kick. Central defender Luca Gasparotto nodded a consolation for the Bairns

Queens made two changes to the side who recorded their second victory of the season against Dumbarton. Callum Tapping and Jason Kerr came into the side for Shaun Rooney and Dan Carmichael, both missing out due to injury.

For the second week running, Queens` opponents were forced to make a pre-match change. Central defender Paul Watson entered the starting eleven for veteran Peter Grant, who pulled up during the warm-up. Ex-Queens men Robbie Thomson and Alex Harris both started for Peter Houston`s underperforming side, with Mark Kerr on the bench.

It was Gary Naysmith`s men who took the game by the scruff of the net in the opening seconds when a deep corner from Callum Tapping was headed goalwards by Darren Brownlie. On-loan St Johnstone defender Kerr headed home from six yards to give the Doonhamers a dream start.

Kerr gets down low to head home in the early stages

The confidence from the hosts, who were one of the title favourties before a ball was kicked, looked rock bottom and could`ve been two behind early doors when Dobbie`s fierce long range effort caught Thomson by surprise but the keeper did enough to turn the ball out of play.

Queens continued to put pressure on the hosts and on 18 minutes Tapping, used his skill and pace to breeze past three defenders but failed at the final hurdle and dragged his shot wide.

Falkirk didn`t look at the races and on the half-hour mark Dumfries born striker Rory Loy had the best chance of the first half when he headed over from eight-yards.

Naysmith`s men had a glorious chance to double the lead when a counter attack broke with Lyndon Dykes and slipped Tapping in but the midfielder`s shot was saved by Thomson.

Queens finally got their reward for their dominance when Tapping won the ball on the right, laid to Dykes and the youngsters cross was tapped home by Dobbie. A superb move from the Doonhamers.

Dykes squares for Dobbie to net

Dobbie celebrates his first strike with the Queens support in the background

Referee Colin Steven blew for the interval and the Falkirk fans made their feelings heard, with a chorus of boos, whilst the players walked off the pitch.

HALF TIME FALKIRK 0-2 QOS

The hosts made an attacking change for the start of the second period. Striker Nathan Austin brought on for Jamie Craigen. They would have hoped to grab a lifeline into the match but it was the opposite when Dobbie, after 30 seconds from the restart, curled a simply sensational strike from 20-yards into the top corner. No keeper on planet earth would a stand chance.

Dobbie lets fly with a goal of the season contender

Dont worry Robbie - that was unstoppable

It got bad to worse for Falkirk when Lyndon Dykes was pulled down by Gasparotto and the referee had no option but to point to the spot.

Dykes is brought down in the box to earn a penalty

No doubt about the penalty taker

Thats the hat trick confirmed

Celebration time

Dobbie stepped up and made no mistake, sending Thomson the wrong way to complete an eight minute hat-trick to the delight of the 265 travelling support.

There were very little chances for both sides until at the death when Gasparotto nodded home.

FULL TIME FALKIRK 1-4 QOS.

It was a superb result for Queens who climb to second in the Championship and Dobbie now up and running in the Championship scoring. Next up for Queens is a trip to Berwick Rangers in the Irn-Bru Cup.