A rip-roaring cup-tie which ended up 3-3 after extra time and a game that will be remembered for many a long day. Queens battled bravely and three times were in front, but on every occasion Dundee hit back to equalise. Even after half an hour's extra time neither side could break the deadlock and it took a penalty shoot-out before Queens emerged as winners.
Home fans had a shock just prior to kick-off when Colin Scott pulled out injured following the pre-match warm up and had to be replaced in goal by Barry John Corr. However, BJ turned out to be the 'hero of the hour', saving two penalties, as Queens won 4-2 in the shoot-out. Paul Burns, Jim Thomson, Willie Gibson and Neil Scally all found the net but Eric Paton's effort was saved.
Although keeper Corr was the hero, Man of the Match must go to new striker, Stephen Dobbie, who netted two great goals. Both sets of fans in the 2037 crowd got good value for money, but it's Queens who go forward to meet Cowdenbeath at Palmerston in the 4th round of the Scottish Cup.
Asked if he enjoyed the game Ian McCall was short and to the point. "No" he stated emphatically, "It was too nerve wracking. I didn't even watch the penalty 'shoot-out'--I just sat with my head in my hands and the reaction of the fans let me know how it was going.
"But we should have had it all sewn up by half time--we should have been 3-0 up at least. We were even ahead with only three minutes to go and a bad mistake gifted them the equaliser. It must have been a tremendous game to watch for the supporters, but not for me. We did get the right result in the end, but we didn't half make hard work of it.
"Stephen Dobbie had class and took his goals well, and when he reaches full fitness I'm sure he'll score even more. Barry John stood in at short notice and did really well. At one stage we'd just hit the post and their man raced up the park and BJ made a superb save. Had they scored then it might have finished us. And to save two penalties was brilliant and won us the game. I watched him play four times for Stranraer before I signed him. He played well in all four games and that's why I brought him to Palmerston. With Colin out now it gives him the chance to prove himself.
"Someone had to win and I'm delighted it was us and I was proud of my players for the effort they gave. However, I felt for their player manager, Alex Rae and also for Del Lyle who were exceptional".
Added Barry John Corr, "I only knew 10 minutes before kick-off that Colin was injured and that I was playing. It was all so unexpected that I hadn't much time to think about it too much. With Colin now out I must try and grab the chance to win the keeper's jersey back and although I'm sorry for him, it might just have 'opened a door' for me".
Bill Goldie
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