[gingapar]

Decent enough match with the referee doing his best to add to the entertainment! We played really well in spells but for one stretch in the second, we were absolutely terrible (due in no small part to some comedy football From Burke) which culminated in Queens getting their goal. Derek Holmes missed an absolute sitter in the first, a free header from about a yard out and Leon Knight forced a great save from Greg Fleming in the second half when he really should have given him no chance. Queens keeper also made two great saves in the second half stopping a great strike from Davie Graham after a great mazy run and forcing another effort onto the post.

There was one debatable decision that could have seen a red, that being the penalty when the ref opted for a yellow. He then wildly over-reacted to a ball winning challenge from Woods, producing a straight red and then, realising his mistake, attempted to level it by pulling out second yellow for the Queens player after a nothing foul. Before all that kicked off, he gave a succession of decision both ways that were rather baffling.

[Parscelona]

Copied from other topic! (nevermind!)

The first half was fairly comfortable for us, even though we didn't create much chances we maintained the majority of the possession. McDougall opened the scoring brilliantly by slotting past Hutton after superb initial play between Bell and Woods. Then towards the end of the half Gibson's delightful cross found Woods who slammed home a cracking strike. Holmes had a great chance to reduce the deficit for Queens yet he headed over the bar.

In the second half, the game started quite slowly although Queens sprung into action mainly with the introduction of Weatherson who injected pace which seemed to be missing from Queens and this resulted in him slamming the ball home to give Queens hope. Towards the end of the game you sensed a goal was coming, you just didn't know who for but luckily we were that side with McKenna bringing down Campbell in the box and Bell slotting home the penalty. Unbelievably that was our third penalty in the last three games.

McDougall's strength and Graham's pace caused the Queens defence problems today while Bell linked up well with Woods and Holmes impressed, which was surprising considering he hasn't had many games. Burke however really needs to get his arse in gear as in the second half he was shocking and was rightly hooked for Mason.

I'm slightly concerned that Gibson and Holmes looked to have come off injured while Woods is going to be suspended for the next couple of games which just adds to our already depleted squad. Nevertheless that's us up into 4th place and a win on Tuesday night will see us into 3rd place, temporarily at least.

This post has been edited by Parscelona: 13 March 2010 - 18:26

[DAFC]

We were brilliant in the first half.

[Flash]

I wasn't at the game today but I think it is fair to say we will never be serious challengers as long as Chisholm is in charge.
We could have played Reid at right back and played Andrews or McAusland at centre back. After Lilley went off, we could have replaced him with Andrews rather than have a midfielder at centre back and another midfielder at right back.
But, hang on, we couldn't play Andrews from the start or bring him on as a sub because he is rank. That is why Lilley had to play even though probably not fully fit. And McAusland has disappeared without trace.
Basically, we effectively now only have two centre backs in the entire squad.

Chisholm is now just repeating the mistakes from last season, starting with duff signings and duff team selections. The latter is partly a result of the former. The classic thing is, Chisholm is on the OS once again blaming the players. He signed them. He decided to play a midfielder at right back. He decided to replace a centre back with a midfielder. But he is only interested in deflecting attention away from his own inadequacies.

I think I might pop along to the shareholders' meeting to find out exactly how much money Chisholm is pouring down the drain.

This post has been edited by Flash: 13 March 2010 - 19:23

[Tam]

Dreadful stuff in the first half. The Pars fans must have wondered what was going on. Was this a relegation outfit come visiting? Some confusion over fixture dates?

No, just Queens with a makeshift and semi crocked back four. Nothing much happened in the first half except Pars sent a long ball forward - has to be a defence for it to be "a defence-splitter". The guy made a good run (no defence, no offside trap- unopposed into the box and slipped it under Hutts: easiest goal he will ever score.

Holmes missed two of our rare chances. The header over the bar would have made that Scottish Wolves guy blush.
The half and doubt over the result ended with a whipped in cross to the far post where a Pars full back ghosted past not one but two QoS players - in truth they were the ghosts, except saying BOO might have put the guy off more. He tapped it in at the back post from three yards. It will be the easiest goal he will ever score. See a pattern developing?#

Second half: the hoofed punt to Holmes and Kean ( largely wasted effort) was replaced with some passes; sometimes even two or three passes in the same move. Quinn began to play. Subs Hamill, Weatherston and Knight began to do stuff!!!! Burnsy got behind the Pars defence. Please can we have our football team back, mister? A goal was scored! Game on. Good spell showed what could have been. Then soft, "homer" penalty and exit, goodnight.

[FC_1919]

Queen's were pretty toothless today, the Pars didn't really create more than their goals other than the two good saves Hutton made.

For the goals McLaren gave the ball away in their half and the boy pinged a ball 30 yards between Lilley and Reid, who were standing miles to far apart.

I am also usually one of McLaren's biggest supporters but he was rotten today, summed up by tracking their right back into the box and then just leaving him to tap in. Harris wasn't blameless in that one either.

Didn't think it was a penalty as it looked like McKenna won the ball, saying that it was quite far away and I had forgot my glasses.

Thought Knight and Weatherston did well when they came on, along with Reid who played well through out and Quinn who had a good second half.

[gingapar]

FC_1919, on 13 March 2010 - 20:13, said:

Queen's were pretty toothless today, the Pars didn't really create more than their goals other than the two good saves Hutton made.

For the goals McLaren gave the ball away in their half and the boy pinged a ball 30 yards between Lilley and Reid, who were standing miles to far apart.

I am also usually one of McLaren's biggest supporters but he was rotten today, summed up by tracking their right back into the box and then just leaving him to tap in. Harris wasn't blameless in that one either.

Didn't think it was a penalty as it looked like McKenna won the ball, saying that it was quite far away and I had forgot my glasses.

Thought Knight and Weatherston did well when they came on, along with Reid who played well through out and Quinn who had a good second half.

He did win the ball but only after scissoring campbell's legs first.

[FC_1919]

gingapar, on 13 March 2010 - 20:21, said:

He did win the ball but only after scissoring campbell's legs first.

Yeah, he probably did, I can't see that far without my specs!

[gingapar]

FC_1919, on 13 March 2010 - 20:25, said:

Yeah, he probably did, I can't see that far without my specs!

Indeed, it was a good effort at getting the ball, reflected in the fact that he only got booked. I think that should be the correct decision however, i'm sure it's the case that fouling and denying a clear goalscoring opportunity (as it was) is a red card regardless of the effort made to play the ball. It was similar to the one we conceded against Celtic in the cup, looked harsh at the time but seeing it later, it was clearly a foul.

[DAFC]

Wasn't soft at all and it should have been a red card.

[Skyline Drifter]

Mmm, game had a little bit of everything really. Came out feeling a wee bit annoyed with late decisions that might have cost us the game but to be fair we didn't deserve anything out of it anyway really.

First half we were generally awful. Dunfermline were ok but we let them dominate without having to play well. The goals were very preventable. The first one was carelessly lost by McLaren (I'm a fan of McLaren as a player but he had a nightmare today) and then McDougall somehow had the freedom of Fife to run through and score. I wonder how much of that was due to Lilley not being fully fit? Second one danger seemed gone when Burns blocked the first cross but nobody got close enough to Gibson and that was a simply wonderful cross. Don't think that Hutton could have come for it but maybe others would disagree? McLaren didn't track the run of Woods and it's 2-0. For all we were awful in the first half Holmes missed two good chances to score, one on a decent break involving McLaren and Quinn when he shot miles over the bar and one from close in with his head when he got too good a contact.

Second half very different. Knight and Hamill on (and eventually Weatherston) and we took control. Knight should have scored before Weatherston did. Weatherston was then clean through and fouled but stayed on his feet to cross for Burns instead of going down and asking the referee a question. In between our period of pressure though Hutton did make a decent save from Graham and then a magnificent one touching another Graham effort onto the post.

The game was moving towards an interesting conclusion when referee Mr Nicholls decided to get involved. I hear what some of the Dunfermline fans are saying but for me McKenna got the ball cleanly. It looked a very harsh penalty and those around me (generally neutral) were all fairly surprised by it although Nicholls was probably 75 yards closer than me. Given that he gave a penalty though Lord alone knows how McKenna stayed on the park. It's one of those where he simply has to send the player off if he's giving the penalty.

I can't really comment on the Woods sending off as I didn't see it. I was still typing out the detail of the penalty incident. Bob Harris clearly indicated a kick out though and someone I spoke to later who did see it said the same.

Mr Nicholls wasn't finished though and decided to send McKenna off for basically nothing. It was a foul but dear oh dear hardly worth losing any sleep over in the last minute of a dead game. In fact about a minute later Harris committed a worse foul and already on a booking should by rights have gone too. Thankfully by now he'd acquired some common sense and decided not to show red again.

Poor result at the end of the day and probably pretty much ends any serious thought of challenging at the top. I'd settle for anything in the top four now. We'll also struggle to put a defence out next week. Harris and McKenna will be suspended. Lilley clearly has a problem and has either missed or come off early in the last four matches. McMillan presumably has done his hamstring since he wasn't involved today. That leaves only Reid of the recognised first choice back four to be joined presumably by Andrews, McAusland and Scally unless Lilley can be patched up. Or maybe a debut for young Adam Dougan?

This post has been edited by Skyline Drifter: 13 March 2010 - 23:17

[FC_1919]

DAFC, on 13 March 2010 - 21:52, said:

Wasn't soft at all and it should have been a red card.

This neither clears up if it was or wasn't a pen.

[Poet of the Macabre]

Very comfortable first half with a nice goal for McDougall. The guy is a striker, no doubt about it. Woods goal was thanks to a gret cross from Gibson and awful defending from Queens.

We let them back into it 2nd half and probably deserved the goal. Fans started to get twitcy at that point and people were worried. Thankfully we got a penalty, somehow the guy didn't walk and Bell dispatched it right in the top corner.

Then Woods got sent off for f**k ALL. I was no more than 10 yards from the incident. He raised his foot, pushed the ball into Weatherston's chest and Weatherston went down as if snipered. The guy was WINDED. Referee has massive overreaction and Woods is off. Terrible, terrible decision.

Then, after realising "I've fucked up", he sends the Queens guy off for nothing as well. Incompetent.

Good win overall today, Bell was my MOTM (no doubt other thought he wasn't as good as last week )

Also impressed by McDougall, Holmes and Woods.

[Skyline Drifter]

There's video footage Here

Doesn't capture the penalty incident so doesn't help there. My first look at the Woods sending off though and have to say it was very harsh. Doesn't look an awful lot in it, booking would have done, maybe not even that.

McKenna's second yellow was maybe a slightly worse foul than I originally thought but it still could have been dealt with by a word rather than a card.

[GroovyDave1973]

Skyline Drifter, on 13 March 2010 - 23:20, said:

McKenna's second yellow was maybe a slightly worse foul than I originally thought but it still could have been dealt with by a word rather than a card.

It was never a foul, never a booking.....just a terrible refereeing decision.

[NorthWestStand]

Thought I'd de-lurk again to add my thoughts on the game now it's actually been played

We were excellent first half and 2 cracking goals - brilliant defence splitting pass from Woods and a great run and finish from McDougall, who has impressed me this season when he has played - far better player than I thought he would be.

Second goal was a peach of a cross from Gibson (shutting up the boo boys?!) and a wonderful ghost in by Woods at the far post.

Queens were always going to come at us second half and so it proved, but tbh I was never worried too much - it wasn't a case of super hang on despite them having all of the play.

The run by Davie Graham would have been goal of the decade or millenium had he scored and the keeper made a great save onto the crossbar/post so we certainly weren't out of it in terms of chances.

As for the contraversial incidents - I thought it was a penalty as Campbell was caught and maybe if he had gone down it would have looked more clear cut. I was a little surprised to get it tho and especially as thats 3 games in a row - totally unheard of for us!!

The 2 dismissals were a joke. Callum's looked like a 50/50 challenge and the sending off was harsh - especially when you see George Boetang only get booked for a similar thing on Sagna down south - I dont think many would have complained about a yellow, but for me it was never a straight red.

Then the second one - utterly ridiculous, although I thought he was lucky not to be off at the penalty.

The ref was actually consistant in that one as earlier in the half, Higgins and then a QOS player were both booked for similar nothing challenges (all fouls but none worthy of a booking imo).

All in all - happy enough but angry that we now lose Woods for the derby double header thanks to another idiotic decision from an official.

[Socks]

Awful decision for the first sending off. I thought at the time it was a ridiculously harsh call but thought that perhps the ref had seen something I'd missed form the other side of it. That doesn't seem to be the case from that footage. It's possibly an indirect free kick for high feet, but it's no more than that. To be sent off for that is quite absurd, and it's the second completely unjustified Woods has had in the last two years. There wasn't much difference between that one and the one later on where Harris had an indirect free kick against him for high feet (right decision I thought). I agree with most others hdere that the second sending off was a bit harsh as well - a free kick only would have done there.

As for the rest of the game, overall I thought the referee had a fairly decent game, the only really bad call I can think of being when he somehow gave us a bye kick early in the gme when McCann quite clearly put the ball out for a corner. I had a pretty good view of the penalty, and I was pretty certain it was a foul. It probably should have been a red for that one, but he possibly thought that because it was fairly wide and not right in front of goal the defender should get the benefit of the doubt. Generally that's an approach I'm happy with, but it's a shame the ref abandoned that and decided he had to start firing red cards out for bugger all later on.

The first half wasn't really that good with neither side playing that well, but after two terrible games against Airdrie, it was OK in comparison. Some fairly awful defending all round, for both goals (that were our only two chances) and for the two chances at the other end. It was certainly a relief to see Holmes miss what looked like a sitter just before half time. However, bad defendiing as it may have been, well done to Woods on making such a great run to get in at the back post to take advantage. Not a bad ball from Gibson either, who seemed to have been told to play deeper today than he normally would. Unusual for me to see Kean have such an anonymous first half, as he's really impressed me when I've seen him in previous gmes against Queens. Overall though, I certainly didn't think we were excellent in the first half, as a previous post says.

The second half was better all round. Decent effort from Queens to start dominating and get the goal that they probably deserved. However, about 5 minutes after it went 2-1 we started to get back into it and then take control, ;and for me the main reason for that was the substitution. Burke had a pretty poor game today, and although Mason isn't flashy, he certainly tightens things up in midfield, and the change was pretty obvious after he came on with us winning far more ball in there. I generally like Burke as a player, but it would neither surprise nor disappoint me greatly should he be released at the end of teh season. Great tip onto the post by the keeper from Graham's second half shot as well, it should be said.

Oh, and when did Craig Reid get rid of that ridicuous hairdo he had before?

[NorthWestStand]

Just watched the footage there and I have to say I dont even think that was a yellow card now! Even more frustrating a decision, seeing that. It doesn't even look like Boetang's challenge that I mentioned before, from that angle. Very very harsh indeed.

Socks - "excellent" was maybe a wee bit flattering in hindsight, but in comparison to the last couple of (home) games (especially), I thought today was a big improvement.

We still need to create more chances on goal, especially when on top in a game, but overall I thought at times we played some nice stuff, were well in control of the match and fully deserved our lead at half time, and indeed to win at full time.

As I say, a few more chances would be good but a decent enough performance and a couple of good goals from our lads today, I thought.

[QOSQOS]

NorthWestStand, on 14 March 2010 - 03:09, said:

Just watched the footage there and I have to say I dont even think that was a yellow card now! Even more frustrating a decision, seeing that. It doesn't even look like Boetang's challenge that I mentioned before, from that angle. Very very harsh indeed.

Socks - "excellent" was maybe a wee bit flattering in hindsight, but in comparison to the last couple of (home) games (especially), I thought today was a big improvement.

We still need to create more chances on goal, especially when on top in a game, but overall I thought at times we played some nice stuff, were well in control of the match and fully deserved our lead at half time, and indeed to win at full time.

As I say, a few more chances would be good but a decent enough performance and a couple of good goals from our lads today, I thought.

[QOSQOS]

Bit glum after that one.
Queens were just awful in the first half. I wondered if Lilley was under the weather, but there was almost no passing at all. We must have passed it back to Hutton to blooter it up the park about a dozen times, and the rest of the time it was hopeful (or hopeless?) punts in the general direction of Holmes or Kean. There were times when Dunfermline also played the long ball to no-one in particular, but they had spells of keeping it on the ground and playing short balls to the forward's feet - cunning plan eh?
Can't work out who was to blame for the first goal but you don't usually see the entire back four left ten yards behind. I thought the forward didn't look very confident and I expected Hutton to save, but I was wrong...
The second was a ball into the danger area which everyone left except the Dunfermline guy (who had a very good game btw).
I think we had two chances, neither on target.
We could only get better in the second half and we did, the changes probably helped, although Dunfermline did what we would have done, ie sit back and let the game come to them. Once Weatherson came on, it seemed only a matter of time, although Knight missed an absolute sitter before we scored. I was expecting us to keep the pressure on and hopefully grab the equaliser, but its hard to stay on top all the time, and the game became much more even again. Hutton had a brilliant save, and I agree that could have been goal of the season for the guy who ran about 150 yards with the ball before nearly scoring.
However, the goal when it came was a result of an iffy penalty, I had a clear view of it from about 100 yards away and it looked soft. McKenna seemed to be just slightly behind the guy, but not right behind, and came in from an angle and got the ball. Dunfermline didn't seem to be expecting the penalty which can be a giveaway, but penalty it was. Hutton actually saved the last penalty against him, but no chance this time.
The sendings off were just bizarre. I've still no idea what the Dunfermline guy was meant to have done. I doubt if Weatherson was milking it, he's not that sort of player, if anything he tends to stay on his feet even when he's been fouled. McKenna's was a 'tit-for-tat' sending off, for the sort of foul that happens all the time without incident.
Our season does appear to be crumblng, unless we can get a couple of wins under our belt, very soon. However with injuries and suspensions building up, its not looking good.
Hard to give passmarks today, unless we draw a veil over the first half. Hutton was good, Reid was steady as ever, Bob has had better games. McKenna and Scally just about held the line in unfamiliar positions, but didn't offer much going forward. Quinn actually came on to a cracking game in the second half (having been largely bypassed in the first). Burns gave his usual 100% and was probably MoM. McLaren was a disappointment. Knight was OK when he came on, but apart from a good ball to Burns for the goal, didn't make as much of a difference as we might have hoped.
And Holmes had one of those games where you just wonder if its worth apparently building a team round his style of play. Its great when it comes off, but when it doesn't we just waste so many balls trying to get the ball to him.

[ScottyC]

Thought be played well considering their were 5 changes made form the previous game. The McDougal goal was really good, and the long run up the pitch Graham went on in the second half was brilliant.

My not too optomistic about mid week though with so many players unavailable.

[gingapar]

most promising thing for the first goal was that it hinted at the possibility of a good partnership forming between Graham and Mcdougal. It was a classic crossover run that completely wiped out the queens defence, Woods had the ball and their was a shout of 'show him the line' Graham ran across the back four down the right channel while Mcdougal peeled off into the centre, it seemed like the entire queens defence followed the run of Graham and Woods picked out the ball through the middle perfectly leaving the right back on his own to try and make up the ground. If Kirk was in place of Mcdougal, we would never have got that goal because he simply doesn't have the pace to get through like that.

[a_mac]

Well, that's the season done then.

[Tam]

a_mac, on 14 March 2010 - 10:51, said:

Well, that's the season done then.

errr...you've worked out the play-off place arithmetic, then?

[Skyline Drifter]

Socks, on 14 March 2010 - 01:16, said:

Awful decision for the first sending off. I thought at the time it was a ridiculously harsh call but thought that perhps the ref had seen something I'd missed form the other side of it. That doesn't seem to be the case from that footage. It's possibly an indirect free kick for high feet, but it's no more than that. To be sent off for that is quite absurd,

Oh, and when did Craig Reid get rid of that ridicuous hairdo he had before?

NorthWestStand, on 14 March 2010 - 02:09, said:

Just watched the footage there and I have to say I dont even think that was a yellow card now! Even more frustrating a decision, seeing that. It doesn't even look like Boetang's challenge that I mentioned before, from that angle. Very very harsh indeed.

The Pars Official footage comes from the other side of the park and should have a much better view of it. Will be interesting to see but as I said earlier, I'd agree it was very harsh. Nowhere near as bad as Boetang who should have seen TWO red cards yesterday. Both his bookings should have been straight reds.

Craig Reid got rid of the previous "hairdo" about a month ago.

QOSQOS, on 14 March 2010 - 08:30, said:

However, the goal when it came was a result of an iffy penalty, I had a clear view of it from about 100 yards away and it looked soft. McKenna seemed to be just slightly behind the guy, but not right behind, and came in from an angle and got the ball. Dunfermline didn't seem to be expecting the penalty which can be a giveaway,

The sendings off were just bizarre. I've still no idea what the Dunfermline guy was meant to have done. I doubt if Weatherson was milking it, he's not that sort of player, if anything he tends to stay on his feet even when he's been fouled.

Hard to give passmarks today, unless we draw a veil over the first half. Hutton was good, Reid was steady as ever, Bob has had better games. McKenna and Scally just about held the line in unfamiliar positions, but didn't offer much going forward. Quinn actually came on to a cracking game in the second half (having been largely bypassed in the first). Burns gave his usual 100% and was probably MoM. McLaren was a disappointment. Knight was OK when he came on, but apart from a good ball to Burns for the goal, didn't make as much of a difference as we might have hoped.

And Holmes had one of those games where you just wonder if its worth apparently building a team round his style of play. Its great when it comes off, but when it doesn't we just waste so many balls trying to get the ball to him.

Noted at the time that it looked like Dunfermline's players were as surprised to get it as we were that it was given.

Indeed Weatherston stayed on his feet when the victim of a last man challenge just before Graham's length of the pitch run that would surely have been a red card if he'd gone down.

I thought Quinn had a great game yesterday. He was my man of the match but Reid didn't do much wrong, Knight was good when he came on (I'd start him next week) and actually I thought Holmes did ok yesterday though he got no help from the referee for at least the first half hour. Gradually started dominating Higgins though and second half the partnership fo he and Knight worked quite well. He did miss two good chances though.

gingapar, on 14 March 2010 - 10:42, said:

most promising thing for the first goal was that it hinted at the possibility of a good partnership forming between Graham and Mcdougal. It was a classic crossover run that completely wiped out the queens defence, Woods had the ball and their was a shout of 'show him the line' Graham ran across the back four down the right channel while Mcdougal peeled off into the centre, it seemed like the entire queens defence followed the run of Graham and Woods picked out the ball through the middle perfectly leaving the right back on his own to try and make up the ground. If Kirk was in place of Mcdougal, we would never have got that goal because he simply doesn't have the pace to get through like that.

Indeed they did, with the exception of McKenna who was left forlornly chasing McDougall from full back. It was appalling defending, though I'm not sure how much if any of it was down also to Lilley not being properly fit.

This post has been edited by Skyline Drifter: 14 March 2010 - 11:17