( O'Donnell 3, Thompson ) ( Canning )
There is always something special about entering a top-flight ground, even if you are used to the opulence of Hampden Park every other week, and the travelling support were a little surprised by coach McCormack's team selection which they heard upon that entrance. Out went regulars Whelan and Gemmell as Cowboy tried to rejig a losing team from the weekend. With Steven Moffat thankfully returning, Queen's reverted to a back four, with Jim White dropping out, as well as Richard Sinclair. Willie Martin was played as a lone striker, with support coming chiefly from Ferry and Canning, while Gordon Lappin came in for Johnny Whelan in the middle.
United took command of the game from the off, determined to stamp their authority on the game and get a positive result after a poor start to the season. Lauchlan and Lilley both had efforts at goal with headers from corners before the home side took the lead 7 minutes in. Stephen O'Donnell, undoubtedly the man of the match, swept past two Queen's defenders before being checked as he tried to head for goal. Queen's were unhappy as the referee had seemed to signal for an advantage, before bringing play back. And even more so shortly after, as O'Donnell took the free-kick which he had earned and curled it delightfully into the net, well away from the outstretched Stewart. The early goal syndrome had struck again for Queen's, but it was hard not to admire the young United forward's technique in scoring from 25 yards out.
The goal stirred Queen's into action, and Steven Fallon got space down the right to cross for Canning inside the penalty area. Stevie was able to get his header on target, but it was deflected off the back of a defender so as to give Paul Gallacher no problems at all.
The opening 20 minutes had as anticipated seen United obtain most of the possession, with O'Donnell particularly dangerous, as well as Scotland striker Steven Thompson. On 20 minutes the latter had an opportunity after chasing a knocked on ball over the top, but John Gallagher made a great saving tackle to prevent the big forward from getting a shot at goal. Craig Taggart, more involved in the game than he had been in previous outings, then shot well over, before Derek Lilley's fine turn and shot came back off the woodwork after the Queen's defence had allowed him rather too much space. Craig Taggart then had Queen's best chance so far, when after being played in following a slip by Lauchlan, the midfielder homed in on goal down the right of the area, but was only able to drag his shot wide of Gallacher's right hand post. A little more composure in front of goal, or possibly a sideways pass to Willie Martin, and Queen's could have been level. United nearly took full advantage almost immediately, when after Paterson had forced a corner, Lauchlan met it and Captain Marvellous Danny Ferry was forced to head off the line. Colin Stewart was then made to look sharp in stretching and poking the ball away as Steven Thompson attempted to meet a pass, prior to an O'Donnell attempt after the ball had gone all the way over to him on the United right edge of the area.
As so often happens, a Queen's spell of pressure ( short on this occasion ) is "rewarded" by a goal for the other side. O'Donnell's second strike in 37 minutes arrived after Taggart had got a shot on target after a good move, and Canning had come close following a free kick on the left- his effort was blocked. The United goal was, however, a superb one; Steven O'Donnell managed to slip through the back of the defence to receive a pinpoint pass and took his lob first time, beating Stewart all ends up with a shot which ended up in the bottom right of his rigging.
2-0 United, and surely game over. Yet Queen's managed to grab a goal before half-time to breathe new life into the contest. Willie Martin missed a cross from the right but regained the ball before finding Canning on the edge of the area. The 19 year old showed a touch of SPL class by controlling the ball and firing it low into the far corner beyond the keeper's outstretched arms. The kind of finishing that's seen all too rarely by supporters of the QP, but this strike was one to have them leaping more than usual.
Queen's then nearly had their hard work undone when Paterson shot past Stewart from a tight angle, but Agostini was there to prevent a goal. Queen's could be relatively happy with a competitive first half display and a narrow deficit, and kept the line-up the same for the resumption. United began efforts to restore their two goal lead, and sub Gunnlaugsson, who looked comfortable on the ball and caused problems running from deep, looked a serious threat. In 50 minutes, Stewart made a fine save from Thompson's point blank range header after a left sided cross in to the danger zone. Queen's then enjoyed a spell up until around the hour mark, when fatigue began to creep in. Danny Ferry was the main man in the central areas, picking up possession and getting a few runs out wide himself. However, no real chances were created that could have posed the possibility of an equalising goal.Taggart had an opportunity on the edge of the box after Canning's pass, but couldn't eke out enough room to shoot.
United soon began to take control of the game though, with Paterson forcing Stewart into a stop, before the Icelander Gunnlaugsson- who'll pose Scotland problems next month- had a shot tipped over the crossbar. The same player had another effort on 65- the defence's collective reluctance to tackle him led to Gunnlaugsson getting to the edge of the area before an eventual block saw Stewart pick up the pieces easily enough. United's obvious supremacy bore fruit with 20 minutes remaining. Cowboy had freshened things up by introducing Gemmell and Jack for Martin and Taggart respectively, but they had barely time to be acquainted with the game before United struck. The impressive O'Donnell completed his hat trick with a left foot shot after a throw in on the left had led to Gunnlaugsson outwitting the Queen's defence with a pass over the top. Avoidable, and no doubt McCormack will be less than impressed at not defending a throw-in properly, but another example of fine finishing from O'Donnell. It was soon four as Queen's wilted- United's superior pace proved too much as Paterson motored down the left before his low cross was lashed high into the net by Thompson.
The game was now clearly sewn up, and the travelling support concentrated their attentions on a lengthy rendition of "Cowboy Army ". There were still a few chances to report before the game drew to a close however: Gunnlaugsson and Wilson both had long range efforts, but the most notable came from Danny Ferry. The Queen's captain would have thoroughly deserved a goal, but his powerful effort at the back post after receiving Stuart Jack's cross bounced off Gallacher and up over the bar, having seemed destined for the goalie's right hand corner.
The outcome brought to a close Queen's cup interests until December at the least, but there will be quite a few moments to remember from the list of early season midweek ties. Cup form is no good though, if the league form is as dismal as it has been; hopefully Queen's rectification of that situation will begin against the "Dirty Rovers" on Saturday.
Match information