Festive Jeer from fans

Dec 17 2008 by Kieran Westbrook, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

JEERING Queens’ fans chanted “cheats” in the final minutes of Saturday’s match against Dunfermline, after a controversial late goal left Queens’ with their third consecutive home defeat and keeper Cammy Bell stretchered off.

Palmerston gaffer Gordon Chisholm reacted with disbelief at the referee’s failure to award a free-kick for a foul on Bell in the lead up to The Pars winner.

He said: “To lose the game in that way was really disappointing.

“I’ve been in to see the referee and I just cannot believe it’s not a free kick.

“I think everybody in the ground would agree it was a free kick, but unfortunately, on this occasion the referee didn’t see that.

“It’s just disbelief that it hasn’t been given as a free kick. I just think it was a no-brainer.”

The Doonhamers went into Saturday’s match at home to Dunfermline with fresh belief following their goalless draw the previous weekend against league-leaders St Johnstone.

But that newly-regained confidence was shattered in the opening minutes as Dunfermline took the lead after just four minutes.

Dunfermline right-back Calum Woods crossed the ball into a congested Queens’ box, finding an unmarked Nicky Phinn who headed in past the helpless Bell.

Despite the poor start, Queens nearly equalised in the 13th minute through former-Par Stephen Simmons.

He picked up the ball on the edge of the box after a cross found him unmarked.

The Dunfermline keeper threw himself at Simmons’ feet, knocking the ball away, and preventing the equaliser.

But Queens did equalise in the 20th minute.

A poorly headed clearance fell to Jamie McQuilken who buried the ball into the back of the Dunfermline net with a great strike.

Minutes before half time, Dunfermline had a glorious chance to regain the lead.

Queens’ captain Jim Thomson was injured following a challenge in the air.

The referee allowed play to continue and after Queens’ keeper Bell charged down a shot from Dunfermline striker Andrew Kirk, the ball again fell to Kirk who blazed it over the bar.

At half-time Jim Thomson, injured in the earlier incident, was replaced by David Weatherston.

And in the 54th minute, Scott Robertson replaced Paul Burns who was stretchered off after being cynically fouled during a Queens’ breakaway.

The second half saw numerous chances from both sides, with Queens enjoying periods of concerted pressure.

But with no one putting them away, and time running out, Chisholm brought on Stephen Dobbie in the 78th minute.

He replaced Sean O’Connor who earned a generous and well-deserved applause from the crowd.

But it was Dunfermline who scored the late winner.

In the 89th minute, a hopeful ball into the box created a real stramash as Dunfermline player/manager Jim McIntyre Queens’ and Andy Aitken collided with Bell as he claimed the ball.

Bell, who seemed to have been fouled, dropped the ball as he fell and Graham Bayne tapped in an easy finish.

Angry protests from Queens’ players and fans made no difference – the game was lost.

And worse news was to follow as Bell had to be stretchered off following the incident.

With Queens’ having used all their subs, Jamie McQuilken donned the keeper’s jersey for the closing minutes.

Teams

Queen of the South: Bell, Barr, Aitken, Thomson (Weatherston 46), McQuilken, MacFarlane, Burns (Robertson 54), McGowan, Simmons, O'Connor (Dobbie 78), Kean. Subs not used: Halliwell, Arbuckle. Booked: Simmons.

Dunfermline: Gallacher, Woods, McCann, Shields, Scott Thomson, Bell (McIntyre 86), Harper (Burke 75), Glass, Phinn, Bayne, Kirk (Loy 62). Subs not used: Reidford, Ross. Booked: Shields.

Attendance: 2,312.

Referee: C Thomson.