Queen’s Park host table-topping Dundee United at The National Stadium at Hampden on Saturday with The Spiders out for their first home success over the Tannadice side in quite a while!
October 1958 was the last win for Queen’s against Dundee United in Glasgow however to put some context on that run there has only been four home matches since, with a more than 60-year gap between the third and the meeting earlier this season.
That game in December 2023 finished goalless however it is United who have taken the honours in the two games between the clubs on Tayside.
The first meeting saw Queen’s got off to a great start with Jack Thomson scoring a fine goal with less than a minute played. Tony Watt equalised before half-time and in the second period Watt found the net again with Scott McMann and Kai Fotheringham making the final score 4-1.
The December meeting saw Paul Nuijten in charge of the home side and a strong defensive display earned a point with Ruari Paton almost sneaking a win with a late diving header.
Paton got Queen’s Park off to a great start in the second Tannadice game in February when he scored from close range midway through the first half only for Louis Moult and Jordan Tillson to have turned things round by half-time.
Glenn Middleton drove in a late third after Paton had been denied an equaliser by a great save from Jack Walton.
Pre-Match Interviews
Head Coach Callum Davidson spoke to QPTV about facing Jim Goodwin’s side. Callum covered –
– Cannot just look back when Queen’s Park win.
– Small details.
– Dundee United learnings.
– Squad ins and outs.
– B Team success.
The cinch Championship so far:
Queen’s Park suffered their first defeat in six games last weekend when they went down 2-0 at Morton with the Spiders now sitting in eighth place. Callum Davidson’s side are four points clear of second bottom Inverness Caledonian Thistle and 12 clear of Arbroath.
A win over Dundee United would mean that Queen’s have steered themselves clear of automatic relegation trouble and given themselves a huge boost ahead of facing Duncan Ferguson’s Highlanders on April 13. Any other result could still mean safety from tenth, if the Red Lichties fall to defeat in their match with Inverness this weekend.
Dundee United head to Hampden after a 2-0 win over second placed Raith Rovers that kept them in top spot and generated a four-point advantage having played a game more. The Tangerines are also the top scorers in this league with 59 goals and hold the best goal difference with a positive 38.
Their run at the top has been built on their away form being stronger than away with 33 points picked up on the road as opposed to 26 on their own turf.
Queen’s Park striker Ruari Paton does lead the way in terms of goals scored having found the net 21 times and United’s Moult on 17.
Squad News:
Charlie Fox returns to the squad after getting 90 minutes under his belt in a midweek B team game however Lewis Reid picked up a knock and is doubt. Zach Mauchin’s fitness has improved however he is on a doubtful list that contains a number of players with Ben McPherson, Patrick Jarrett and Grant Savoury remaining absent.
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Last time out – cinch Championship
Dundee United 3 Queen’s Park 1
February 24, 2024
Queen’s Park – Calum Ferrie, Ben McPherson (Zach Mauchin 72), Alex Bannon, Jack Thomson, Danny Wilson, Josh Scott (Cameron Bruce 86), Louis Longridge (Cillian Sheridan 72), Sean Welsh, Jack Turner (Stuart McKinstry 65), Dom Thomas (Liam McLeish 86), Ruari Paton.
Unused substitutes – Sam Kane (G/k), Tommy Robson, Will Tizzard, Mackenzie Carse.
Dundee United – Jack Walton, Kevin Holt, Louis Moult (Alex Greive 60), David Wotherspoon (Kai Fotheringham 8), Craig Sibbald, Jordan Tillson (Archie Meekinson 84), Matthew Cudjoe (Glenn Middleton 60), Miller Thomson, Declan Gallagher, Tony Watt (Liam Grimshaw 84), Scott McMann.
Unused substitutes – Jack Newman (G/k), Sam McClelland, Ross Graham, Chris Mochrie.
Referee – Ross Hardie.
Read the Match Report – Dundee United 3 Queen’s Park 1
