Queen’s Park’s ‘B’ Team returned to competitive action for the first time since December 12 with a 1-0 Reserve League success over Dunfermline Athletic at The city Stadium thanks to Kane Thomson’s goal.
Recent signing Callum Hapsell was heavily involved in the opening stage as he stopped a couple of Dunfermline attacks and linked with Lewis Reid as Queen’s Park B looked to build from the back.
After three minutes Lucas McCormack slipped a pass through the visiting defence to find Alex Fairlie who sent a shot just a couple of feet wide.
Reid sent Thomson free on the left with a clever pass three minutes later with the attacking full-back winning a corner that failed to create any danger.
Dunfermline’s Trialist number 7 had a fierce effort charged down before Queen’s threatened again when Lennon Connolly chipped in a cross that was only an inch away from being met by the head of Scott Williamson.
Stuart McKinstry was beginning to have an influence in the game and after 18 minutes he linked with Reid before sending Thomson running down the left however the visiting defence regrouped and ended the raid.
Midway through the half The Pars’ Jake Rennie took the ball from his own half to the edge of the home box however his forward pass to Taylor Sutherland found the striker offside and a promising situation was ended.
On 27 minutes Williamson picked up on a misplaced pass from John Tod and drilled for goal with Max Little diving to his left to produce a fine save.
With half an hour played McCormack and Alex Fairlie combined on the right to send over a cross that Thomson was able to get on the end of at the back post however Little got down to save.
Shortly afterwards McKinstry whipped over a free-kick from the left that was met by a header from Williamson but again Little was equal to it.
Queen’s Park ‘B’ opened the scoring on 38 minutes when the ball was worked from right to left and picked up by THOMSON who cut inside his marker and then sent a right foot shot curling into the far corner.
Ninety seconds from the break The Spiders came close to a second as McCormack twisted and turned before sending in a fierce shot that Little did well to beat away.
Half time – Queen’s Park ‘B’ 1 Dunfermline Athletic 0
Ben Ferguson and Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia were brought on at half-time with Scott Williamson and Stuart McKinstry making way.
Taylor Sutherland won a free-kick for his side on 55 minutes in a dangerous position with Sam Kane taking two attempts to hold the direct effort from Trialist 7 for the Fifers.
Queen’s B carved out their first chance after the restart three minutes later when Joseph Smith crossed from the right with McCormack having his first shot blocked before sending the rebound over.
Dunfermline raced to the other end and Trialist 7 was not far away with a low drive that flashed across the face of Kane’s goal.
The visitors went close again midway through the second half when John Tod ventured forward from his defensive role and tried his luck from 25 yards with his left footed effort just fizzing past.
With 12 minutes Kane had to stretch high to push over a 16-yard drive from Jake Sutherland that look destined for the top of the net.
Queen’s took the game to their opponents on 80 minutes with Hickey-Fugaccia letting fly from 25 yards with Little happy to watch the ball clear his goal.
Reid set off towards the visitors’ goal shortly afterwards and rather than shooting he slipped a pass to Hickey-Fugaccia on the left and his low cross was met by Fairlie however his flicked effort went wide.
As the hosts kept up a period of pressure Little was forced to use his legs to keep out a low shot from Max Fiddes with the keeper denying the striker again from close range this time with three minutes left.
Queen’s Park – Sam Kane, Joseph Smith, Kane Thomson, Callum Hapsell, Lewis Reid, Ricky Waugh, Lucas McCormack, Lennon Connolly (Max Fiddes 68), Scott Williamson (Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia 46), Stuart McKinstry (Ben Ferguson 46), Alex Fairlie.
Unused substitutes – Chris Mahon, Andrew Lind, Archie Graham, Callan McKenna (G/k)
Dunfermline Athletic – Max Little, Jake Rennie, Liam Hoggan, Sam Young, Miller Fenton, John Tod, Trialist, McLeod, Trialist (Michael Beagley 76), T Sutherland, J Sutherland (Freddie Rowe 88)
Unused substitutes – Kyle Davidson, Jay Snoddy
Referee – Kieran Traynor
