Dunfermline Athletic maintained their perfect start to the season and won their sixth successive match against Queen of the South 3-2.
The wind would be frustrating for both sides as long balls and crosses were easily picked up by the elements and carried away from where they were intended to go. However, in the first half it was the Queen’s who would have the benefit of the breeze.
Several of their route one attempts would cause problems for the Pars defence with Owain Fon Williams making a decent save to tip over a header early on. At the opposite end though it was Dunfermline who would have their luck with a header.
Captain Euan Murray was left open from a Dom Thomas corner, again, and he punished the Doonhammers by placing a simple header into the net to put his side 1-0 up after the opening 20 minutes.
Aidan Fitzpatrick was liveliest for Queen of the South but much of the attacking load was on his shoulders with little else being offered from his teammates in the first 30. Fitzpatrick would carve open a couple of chances for himself, but his finishing touch let him down as he attempted a shot at goal.
The first casualty of the afternoon would come for Stevie Crawford. After being on the receiving end of a late challenge, Aaron Comrie was unable to continue at right back.
Former Kilmarnock man Iain Wilson was the man to replace him with the versatile 21-year- old slotting into the midfield and Stephen Whittaker shifting over to right back.
Dunfermline soon had another opportunity to extend their lead before halftime. Daniel Pybus barged Kyle Turner to floor in the box, Grant Irvine having no option but to award a spot kick to the Pars. Declan McManus stood over the penalty before blasting the ball past Rohan Ferguson as the teams headed in for half-time.
In attempt to get back in the game, Palmerston boss Allan Johnston changed things for the restart with Calvin McGrory making way for 20-year old Euan East up top. He immediately looked more alive up top, hassling the Dunfermline defence.
Shortly after half-time Queen of the South would have their route back into the game. Joe McKee lined up to strike on the edge of the 18-yard box and his shot looked like an easy-enough save for Fon Williams, but he could only parry the ball into his own net to give the Doonhammers a lifeline.
Queen’s would fall further behind thanks to a Paul Watson header though. Thomas was the provider again from the corner flag as the Pars went 3-1 up with 30 minutes left to play. Queen’s found themselves with a second lifeline with 15 minutes left to play.
Fitzpatrick was downed by Wilson in the Pars penalty area and Stephen Dobbie dispatched the penalty to keep his side alive in the game, but it was ultimately not enough as the Queen’s left Fife bottom of the table on goal difference. Here are three things we learned.
Dunfermline can cause problems
Providing Stevie Crawford can keep everyone in his Pars squad fit and healthy, there is no reason this Dunfermline team can’t reach the promotion play-off matches at least.
Scoring 13 goals in the five games prior to kick-off, Crawford’s side are scoring for fun. They will cause problems for the teams battling for the top spot and mount a challenge themselves.
QOTS will need more than experience to stay up
The Queen’s have been on a bad run of form as of late with only one win in their last five games. The shortened Championship season means that one run of bad form could prove to be fatal in the race to avoid the drop to League 1.
Johnston has Dobbie and Gibson to call upon if he favours experience over potential, but things haven’t started brilliantly in Dumfries and he could need to add to his squad if he is able to bring anyone in.
Tight at the top
Almost all Championship sides have strengthened during the transfer window. Hearts are favourites for the tops spot in the league table but just behind them the battle
for the remaining places in the play-offs will be extremely close.
In previous seasons, Inverness and Ayr United have challenged the league winners but ultimately come up short. This season will be no different, but a couple of extra teams will be in the mix. Dunfermline will be keen to make the cut and Greenock Morton will be the underdogs but could still mount a challenge.