Friday night delight!
NOT many would’ve hedged their bets on Queen of the South finally getting one over on their bogey side Hamilton.
Midfielder Jack Stott and a comical Cale Loughrey own goal gave the Doonhamers a two-goal lead at Broadwood. Connor Smith halved the deficit with 20 minutes to go but Queens held firm to secure a much-needed and confidence boosting win – their first in the league over the Accies since 2011.
Earlier in the week, Hamilton had been rocked with a six points deduction for breaching multiple SPFL rules whilst under a transfer embargo.
And the off-field issues looked to have spread onto the park as Queens started the Friday night contest on the front foot.
Lone striker Brennan Dickenson came close inside three minutes when he leaped the highest to connect with a Kai Kennedy corner but his effort sailed over the bar.
Queens’ pressure paid off on 18 minutes when Zander Mackenzie – who filled in at right back due to Mikey Hewitt and Callum Penman’s long-term injuries – linked up with Stott. The home defence cut out the initial pass but the ball fell kindly to Stott and he made no mistake and slotted into the bottom corner.
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Hamilton threatened to equalise moments later as Kevin O’Hara’s cross found Scott Robinson who flicked a header just wide of the far post.
Accies had another chance to level the game on 25 minutes as Oli Shaw found himself through on goal but wasn’t able to find the finishing touch.
Just before the break, Kennedy caused the Accies defence all sorts of problems. The tricky winger wiggled his way past his marker and fired a low shot that was parried out by Jamie Smith.
Then Taylor Charters unleashed a long range shot which had to be held by Smith.
Queens continued to put Accies under pressure in the early stages of the second period. Liam Smith forced another save from the Hamilton stopper.
On the hour mark, it was another injury set-back for Dickenson. As he made a run for a ball he pulled up holding his hamstring and was subbed off for on-loan Carlisle forward Freddie O’Donoghue.
But it was Queens who would create further chances to extend their lead. Kennedy had another effort saved by the keeper and O’Donoghue had a close range effort blocked.
The visitors would get their second of the evening in bizarre circumstances. Kennedy’s floated free-kick into the box was fumbled backwards by the keeper and defender Loughrey tried to hit the ball out but smashed it into the back of his own net.
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The deficit was reduced three minutes later when Connor Smith’s shot had too much power for Ross Stewart and flew into the top corner.
Accies were nearly level moments later when a mix-up at the back between Stewart and Jack Hannah let the ball land to Kyle MacDonald. But the midfielder fired his effort straight at a relieved Stewart.
It was turning into a basketball match in the final stages. Queens had a strong claim for a penalty when Smith looked to be fouled inside the box but ref Colin Steven wasn’t interested in the slightest.
Accies searched for an equaliser but a stubborn Queens defence made sure the Doonhamers picked up the victory.
It was an important three points for the team and manager Peter Murphy after a poor month.
Hamilton: J. Smith, Hutton, Kilday, O’Hara, C. Smith, Shaw, Bradley, MacDonald, Robinson (McKinstry 80), Loughrey, Gallacher (McLuckie 80). Subs not used: Newbury, Morgan, Hendrie, MacKinnon, Marks. QoS: Stewart, Mackenzie (Rogerson 89), Douglas, Hannah, Charters, Kennedy (Gray 89), Luissint, Stott, Mackenzie, Kennedy, Dickenson (O’Donoghue 61). Subs not used: Green, Johnstone, Leslie. Ref: Colin Steven. Crowd: 400 est.Related News
