THIS MONTHS LATEST NEWS

For previous news see the monthly archive at the foot of this page.

WEEKEND PREVIEW

31st March 2000

This Saturday sees Queens visiting Cumbernauld for the last time in a while as Clyde are almost assured of first division football next year. This hasn't deterred the Doonhamers though as results this season have been entirely even. The first encounter at Palmerston in early September ended even with Lee Bailey netting for Queens in seventy eight minutes only to see his strike equalised a mere two minutes later by Pat Keogh. The second encounter, a midweek affair at Broadwood, saw Queens fall to a second half onslaught by the Clyde forward line, compounding the pain was the sending off of Stevie Mallan for a second bookable offence after a clash with Clyde left back Murray. The most recent and most memorable for Doonhamers fans, was the midweek clash just two weeks ago when Queens reversed the scoreline form the earlier match and ran out convincing 3-0 winners. Early goals by Sandy Hodge and Warren Hawke set the scene as early as the seventh minute and Stevie Mallan's goal just after the break was the icing on the cake. Naturally though, Clyde will want to avenge that defeat and with a number of regulars back in the side and them on home turf, Queens are sure to have a tough task ahead. Queens team lines will be as they were last Saturday, Andy Aitken remains eligible for this match but has to sit out the next two after his booking last Saturday took him over the suspension threshold. Right back Ally McMillan becomes available for selection again following his suspension so he joins Steven Leslie and Marc Cleeland in the queue waiting for a slip up by their respective replacements. As table toppers Clyde's current league form is excellent with only one defeat in their last twenty matches, remember though that it was Queens who inflicted that three nil defeat. Queens also are on form at the moment having lost only one of the last seven and having turned a six point margin with a game more played at the bottom of the league into a three point margin with a game in hand. A victory for Queens tomorrow would be sure to narrow the gap to the teams closest in the relegation battle as second and fourth bottom meet.

TONIGHT'S GAMES

28th March 2000

For the first time in months Queens can now look at the league table and know that it is entirely in their own hands to get level on points with Stenhousemuir. This follows the Warriors 2-0 defeat in Dingwall this evening, which means that Queens now have a game in hand over Stenny and are only three points adrift. This weekend's clashes will be crucial as Queens face leaders Clyde at Broadwood whilst Stenny are at home to fourth bottom Hamilton. Struggling Stirling face a long trip to Dingwall, a defeat would also bring them into contention for bottom place. In other matches this evening our opponents on Saturday, Clyde drew with Stranraer 1-1 whilst Arbroath pushed themselves back into contention with a fine 2-0 win over Alloa at Gayfield.

MAN OF THE MATCH

27th March 2000

Big Sandy Hodge is off on another gallop, only this time instead of down the left wing it's up the Player of the Season league table. Sandy is again Man of the Match according to the internet fans, his third award in only seventeen appearances. The big defender netted an average of 7.53 for his performance against Partick on Saturday, just behind Sandy comes the sponsors Man of the Match Stevie Mallan, who continues his excellent recent form. For a full list of the scores from this match click HERE or go to the fixtures page and click on the report link next to the match details. The current Player of the Season league table has also been updated.

ROUNDUP

26th March 2000

Despite press and web reports attributing the goal line clearance late in the first half of Saturdays match to either Andy Aitken or Sandy Hodge, it was definitely Kevin Robison who positioned himself so well to be able to complete the clearance. George Rowe's testimonial dinner was held last night at a packed Cairndale, an excellent night was had by all with numerous Queens players past and present in attendance.

NEW SIGNING

25th March 2000

Queens completed the signing of midfielder John Gallacher from Arbroath late yesterday. The 31 year old had been with Arbroath for four years and was with Albion Rovers, Arbroath again and Yoker Athletic previously. He's scored a couple of goals this season but in total has found the net 12 times in his 82 appearances for the Red Lichties. Usefully 'Gal' is a successful penalty taker and general dead ball specialist, according to the Arbroath website he has a knack of scoring direct from corners.

WEEKEND PREVIEW

24th March 2000

Queens have a chance to match points with Stenhousemuir this weekend, if Partick can be defeated at Palmerston and our South West neighbours Stranraer do us a favour by emerging victorious from their clash with the Warriors then it's all square at thirty points each. It's only six games since Queens and Partick served up a thrilling encounter at Firhill, unfortunately though the Jags came out on top by the odd goal in nine, a reverse of that score tomorrow would certainly be welcome. Team news from Palmerston is that only George Rowe and Ally McMillan are forced to miss out on a starting place, all other players are free from both suspension and injury. There may be some minor strategic changes in the formation to suit better the threat carried by the Jags, although former Queens trialist Scott McLean, experienced defender Brian Martin and Steven Docherty look set to miss out through injury. Thistle may add new signing from East Stirling Martin Hardie to the squad for the clash, Hardie is a tough tackling midfielder. Meetings with Partick are always enjoyable affairs, this encounter should be more of the same, particularly as the travelling Jags should number anywhere in-between 800 and 1000, guaranteeing an excellent atmosphere tomorrow. Current form shows that there's not a lot between the teams as both Queens and Partick have similar records, two wins and three defeats out of five for Partick and two wins, two draws and a defeat for Queens. The fact that the two Doonhamers victories were against Clyde and Alloa should however be enough to make Partick adopt a cautious approach.

NO MAIL

21st March 2000

Our Internet Service Provider is presently experiencing difficulties with the email system, this means that we may not have received any mail sent to the site via forms for the past twenty four hours. If you have sent anything please try again tomorrow evening.

MAN OF THE MATCH

20th March 2000

John Dickson wins his second Man of the Match award for his performance on Saturday against Stranraer, piping Andy Aitken by the narrowest of margins with Paul Stewart continuing his good form to come in third. For the full list of scores visit the match report via the link on the fixtures page. The MoM table will be updated tomorrow evening.

WELL DONE DONNA

18th March 2000

Queen of the South Ladies team member Donna Clachrie has been awarded the Nithsdale Female Sports Personality of the Year award. Eighteen year old Donna received the award on Thursday evening and adds it to a growing collection of awards and international caps. Having Captained Scotland at Under 16 and 18 level Donna has now moved up to the senior team and is putting in some excellent performances for her country.

MATCH PREVIEW

17th March 2000

What kind of performance will we see this weekend? will it be the Stenhousemuir Queens or the Alloa/Clyde Queens? To defeat Stranraer it's going to have to be the Alloa/Clyde Queens, a team that looked streets ahead of the opposition and that anyone watching, without the knowledge that a league table provides, would have put the Doonhamers as the runaway league leaders. The team tomorrow will more than likely be that which started against Clyde with the replacement of five match ban boss George Rowe by youngster Kevin Robison. With Kevin in place the average age of the defensive line up on Saturday is likely to be just 20 years old. Club Captain Steven Leslie and fellow battling midfielder Marc Cleeland are both available again after lengthy suspensions, although both may find it difficult to break back into the side after this midweek's performance. The first match against the Stair Park team ended in victory for Stranraer at their own ground by a narrow 1-0 scoreline. Looking at the Queens side that day there may only be three faces the same in the line up, Mallan, Stewart and Aitken. Worse was to follow however as Stranraer re-wrote their own record books by recording their largest ever victory over Queens in a 5-0 drubbing at Palmerston back in November, what was even more remarkable was that the scores were even at half time but in a second half onslaught Stranraer, with the influential Billy McDonald masterminding the proceedings, went on to humiliate the home side. Andy Roddie for Stranraer gave Paul Stewart a particularly hard time and the young right back will be eager to make amends this weekend particularly after his tremendous performances recently. Things got better though and Queens first footed Stair Park and came away with a 2-1 victory despite having Andy Aitken sent off for violent conduct. Warren Hawke scored his first goal for Queens, click HERE for a video clip of the goal. Form doesn't really count for a lot in local Derby matches but Queens know that they can draw level on points with Stenhousemuir with the right results tomorrow and should be extremely confident of doing so after the comprehensive Clyde victory.

MAN OF THE MATCH

16th March 2000

Sandy Hodge collected his second Man of the Match award of the season following his fine performance against league leaders Clyde on Tuesday evening. The big left back scored an average of 8.53 whilst the rejuvenated Paul Stewart was close behind on 8.11. The top of the Player of the Season League Table is tightening up as Hodge draws level with Andy Aitken and Stevie Mallan displaces Andy through his consistent form recently. For a full list of scores see the MoM section.

NO NEWS?

13th March 2000

A number of fans have pointed out that it would seem that the Dumfries Courier has abandoned the Doonhamers for the time being, apparently there was no report on the Alloa game and no preview of the Stenny game. Hopefully it was just an oversight though as the Couriers sister publication, the Annandale Observer, had a brief report and a few quotes from the Queens management team on the back page.

MAN OF THE MATCH

13th March 2000

Man of the Match at Ochilview on Saturday was young right back Paul Stewart. Paul was victorious by only 0.14 of a point from Stevie Mallan, one of the narrowest and it has to be admitted lowest winning scores this season. Infact only Mallan, Hawke, Mathieson, Stewart and Aitken scored over five points on a day when the teams overall performance was deemed worthy of only 4.88 out of ten. Remember that Tuesday night sees Queens entertain league leaders Clyde at Palmerston in the game that was originally scheduled for 19th February but was delayed whilst the Bully Wee were on Cup duty. Captain Steven Leslie will be available again for selection whilst for Clyde Murray, McGraw, McLay, McCusker and Barratt will all be missing. Once again maximum points are vital.

CRUNCH CLASH

10th March 2000

Without doubt this Saturday's clash with Stenhousemuir will be the most important game of the season so far for the Doonhamers. A win and we're level on points and on a run, a defeat and we're six points adrift with them a game in hand and the psychological advantage. As George Rowe says, the players need no motivation for this one. The players that take the field may well be the same that played the last twenty minutes last Saturday after that formation proved that given a quality supply the men in the middle are well capable of finishing in style. For this clash the trio of Steven Leslie, Marc Cleeland and Ally McMillan all have to spectate, Leslie will be available again for selection after Saturday's game whilst Cleeland misses out on Tuesday night but is then also available but McMillan still has another four before he can be brought back into the reckoning. George Rowe, however, will also find himself spectating due to suspension following his yellow card last weekend, the bosses ban lasts for the five games immediately after the Clyde clash at Palmerston on Tuesday evening. So far this season we have had mixed results against the men from Larbert, back in September we suffered a 3-0 defeat at Palmerston, all three goals coming from set pieces, then in October we suffered an unlucky defeat as we took the lead in the eightieth minute only to see two late Stenny goals reverse the score, the winner coming from a set play. However, in January we found some form at Palmerston and in the space of four minutes mid-way through the first half built a three goal lead which the Warriors just couldn't come back from. Star man for Queen's that day was towering left back Sandy Hodge who ran the left side of the pitch all match. Hopefully tomorrow it will be more of the same, although Graeme Armstrong will have his team well marshalled and with lots of set piece action the Dumfries defence will have to be on top form.

BARGAINS GALORE

8th March 2000

The Club Shop at Palmerston is having a massive Stock Clearance Sale at the moment. All replica tops are reduced by a whopping 40%, whilst all other stock has been slashed by 25%. You can order over the phone on 01387 254853 or through the Online Club Shop on this site. As well as the sale you should also check out the new items available, framed aerial photos of Palmerston at £9.00 for a 7 x 5, £12.50 for a 10 x 8 and £22.00 for a 16 x 12.

A few brand new items are also available, this wall clock with the aerial view of Palmerston is only £15.00 and measures 12 x 10. We also have some new keyrings and bottle openers with the aerial phot inset into them, photo's soon.

RACING SUCCESS

7th March 2000

The Doonhamers Travel Club enjoyed a very successful race night on Saturday past, an excellent total of £680 was raised for George Rowe's testimonial fund. Thanks go out from the Travel Club to everyone who attended.

SAD NEWS

6th March 2000

Some sad news reaches us today as we find out of the untimely death of former Queens star Chris Balderstone. Chris joined Queens in season 1976/77 from Doncaster Rovers, he had previously starred with Carlisle United and Huddersfield Town. As well as an accomplished footballer Chris also starred as a first class and International cricketter with county side Leicestershire and England. He was an all-round sportsman as if he had not been a footballer he claimed that he would have been a professional golfer. Interviewed for a Queens profile in 1977, Chris admitted that as his career was mainly spent at Carlisle United they remained his favourite team. One of his regrets was of not quite getting to Wembley, Carlisle being beaten narrowly in a League Cup semi-final, whilst his favourite grounds were White Hart Lane and Dens Park. Our sympathy goes out to Chris's family.

Chris Balderstone, who died today, shown in action for Carlisle United

MAN OF THE MATCH

6th March 2000

Super Stevie Mallan picks up his third Man of the Match award in the space of only six games with his two goal performance against Alloa on Saturday. Marv certainly seems to be producing the goods at the minute, particularly when he was put back into the centre with Warren Hawke for the last thirty minutes. Stevie averaged 8.15 points with his strike partner Hawke second on 7.40 and substitute Bryan Caldwell third on 6.75 points. For a full list of all the points see the match report via the fixtures page link. Alternatively the MoM table should be updated later this evening.

DOUBLE INJURY

6th March 2000

We notice that both Deggsie and Jamie McAllister were replaced after only around twenty five minutes on Saturday when they faced up to each other in the SPL encounter between the Dons and Motherwell. It turns out that both picked up injuries within the space of a few minutes of each other so instead of an intriguing clash of former Doonhamers they had to watch from the sidelines. Another ex-Doonhamer is reported to have had a good match, Paul Harvey having a "goal" disallowed, but generally putting in a first class performance in an attempt to win himself a regular first team place at Motherwell.

WRONG NUMBER

4th March 2000

Bruce Wright, the programme editor has asked us to point out a correction to todays program relating to the telephone numbers for tickets to George Rowe's testimonial dinner. They are actually as follows: 01387 252244 or 01387 263276 The event is being organised by Norman Blount and will take place at Park House, Cairndale Hotel on 25th March at 7.30 for 8.00pm. Speakers will be Bill Leckie from the Sun newspaper, Willie Allan and David Shankland.

BACK HOME

3rd March 2000

Queens make a welcome return to Palmerston after an absence of five weeks to hopefully regain some momentum in the battle to avoid relegation. Terry Christie's Alloa Athletic are the visitors on Saturday and on their current form and with having so many games in hand they are a good bet for a promotion spot. Queens players though know only too well that time is running out for the great escape to commence. Apart from their Scottish Cup defeat at the hands of Dundee United, after almost beating them at Recreation Park, Alloa are unbeaten since last October. However their last visit to Palmerston resulted in the honours being shared as Bryan Caldwell gave Queens the lead just before half time only to see Martin Cameron equalise just after half time, in what turned out to be David Lilley's last game for Queens. Team news for tomorrow is basically as it was for Tuesdays postponed game, that is Warren Hawke back in after suspension, Ally McMillan, Marc Cleeland and Steven Leslie all out due to suspension. All other players are fit and the team will probably follow the same lines, although Alan Preston may well drop back into the defence. Historically we have the upper hand in games against the Wasps, thirty seven wins, twenty three draws and twenty seven defeats is what the record book shows. The last win for the wasps was back in November 1998.

ATTRACTING ATTENTION

1st March 2000

As has been reported in the national press over the past few days, some of Queens bright young stars are again attracting the attention of top clubs. A number of scouts from various English and Scottish teams have taken in recent games. Speculation about which players they are looking at is being made, however there are a number of players in the present Queens side who may well develop into top class players. The club though have their thoughts firmly on this seasons struggle to avoid the drop and nothing will remove the focus from this. We also hear that ex-Queens midfielder Alex Nesovic is attracting similar attention at present club Harrogate Town, (See Messages).

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