QoS : Report - Livingston 6.1.18 (original) (raw)

A first-half Chris Kane strike was enough for Queens to pick up their first win of the season over Livingston and their first victory in three matches.

The two certainly didn`t serve up a classic at the Tony Macaroni Arena but the visitors held on for a superb three points.

Gary Naysmith was left to the bare bones for the match and remained unchanged from the team who drew 0-0 with Dumbarton. Youngster Ross Fergusson was recalled from his loan spell at Annan and immediately was placed on the Doonhamers bench. New loan signing Myles Beerman wasn`t included in the first team squad and Derek Lyle ruled out due to injury.

Queens started the brighter out of the side`s but couldn`t really put any pressure on their opponents. The first real incident of the match called referee Stephen Finnie into action as he produced the first card of the match to Queens` Joe Thomson after a late, high challenge on Scott Pittman.

Queens created the first opportunity of the match when Stephen Dobbie cut inside on the left and tried to find Lyndon Dykes through the middle but was blocked into the path of Kane who tried his luck from 20 yards but couldn`t trouble Livingston goalkeeper Neil Alexander.

The hosts finally woke up and had their best move of the match. Pittman and Robinson combined to tee up winger Raffaele De Vita and his low drive deceived Allan Martin in the Queens goal but bounced back off the post.

The Doonhamers were next to force the question when Dobbie drove in from the right and fired low at goal but the `keeper got down and saved well.

Livingston were awarded a free-kick on 28 minutes and De Vita tried his luck from 30 yards but Martin caught the effort that did lack pace.

David Hopkin`s men created another good chance four minutes later when De Vita gathered the ball out on the right wing and whipped a cross in that found striker Dylan Mackin but his flicked effort glanced the wrong side of the post.

Queens were next to try and break the deadlock when Jamed Penrice fouled Kane. Dobbie`s free-kick glanced goalwards but Alexander caught the ball.

Queens weren`t to be denied as they took the lead on 39 minutes. Dobbie strode clear of the home defence and his shot came back off the underside of the crossbar and there was Kane to react and clip the ball home from close range.

Right-back Shaun Rooney was booked for a foul on Penrice. He looked to have misjudged the tackle and caught Penrice with his studs.

Dobbie was keen to add to his 20-goal haul this season and had a chance to double the visitors lead but his long range effort was held by Alexander.

HALF TIME LIVINGSTON 0-1 QOS

Early Livi pressure saw Penrice hit a low cross deflected out for a corner but the Queens defence are eventually able to clear.

Gary Naysmith`s side almost doubled their advantage on the hour mark, when Dobbie burst clear down the left-hand side, cut in and fired in a shot that the Livingston goalkeeper did well to push away.

The home side were much better in the second half and substitute Nikolay Todorov managed to get his head on to a Shaun Byrne cross, but on-loan midfielder Thomson was on the goal line to clear.

Livi were on the hunt for a equaliser which saw Halkett sees his far post effort hit the side netting.

Livi substitute Steven Boyd should have found the target with a free header six yards out but nodded wide with the goal gaping.

Dobbie could`ve made it two and end the contest but his free-kick fizzed just wide.

Livingston kept putting the pressure on the Queens defence but they held firm and all played a blinder, especially Darren Brownlie- who produced a tremendous performance.

The win see`s Queens move up to fourth, leapfrogging Livingston. Queens now aim to beat Inverness Caley Thistle for the first time this season as they travel north on Saturday.

Livingston: Alexander, Lithgow, Halkett, Longridge, Byrne, Pittman, Robinson, Penrice, Todorov, Mackin, De Vita

Subs: Maley, Carrick, Knox, Boyd, Mullin, Cadden, Thompson.

QOS: Martin, Rooney, Brownlie, Kerr, Mercer, Murray, Rankin, Thomson, Dykes, Kane, Dobbie.

Subs: Leighfield, Stirling, Fergusson, Bell, Akubuine, Gourlay.

Referee: Stephen Finnie.

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