Quickfire goals set up a flag day win for Queen’s
QUEEN’S PARK 2 COVE 0
Queen’s Park picked up their first three points of the season with a 2-0 win over 10-man Cove Rangers at Firhill.
The Spiders, who were presented with their League 2 title flag before kick-off, created danger on 13 minutes as Simon Murray slipped in Louis Longridge, with Kyle Gourlay clutching the resultant shot.
Cove went close on 22 minutes when Harry Milne picked out Fraser Fyvie, who headed just over.
Mitch Megginson robbed a dithering Liam Brown shortly afterwards and forced Willie Muir into a save, with Grant Gillespie blocking Fyvie’s followup.
Right on half-time, Fyvie put in a rash high challenge on Charlie Fox just inside the hosts’ half and was instantly red-carded.
Queen’s took advantage within eight minutes of the restart with Murray whipping a 22-yard free-kick high into the net.
Within 60 seconds, it was 2-0, with Gourlay miscuing a clearance to Bob Mchugh and then fumbling the half-time substitute’s curling shot over the line.
Gourlay atoned on 68 minutes when he dived low to push away a Mchugh drive after a lightning break, with the keeper excelling again seven minutes later when he blocked a Murray effort.
DUMBARTON 2 AIRDRIE 2
Gabby Mcgill headed the Diamonds in front after 17 minutes after connecting with Callum Fordyce’s ball into the box.
There was controversy at the start of the second half when Mcgill won a disputed penalty under the challenge of debuting Sons keeper Callum Erskine. Rhys Mccabe stepped up to score.
However, just after the hour mark, Airdrie were at a numerical disadvantage when Sam Wardrop was sent off for two bookings.
Dumbarton took their time to cash in on the extra man, but moved up through the gears and Ryan Mcgeever headed one back with 10 minutes to play.
And, four minutes later, Andy Geggan rolled home the equaliser to claim a point for Sons, who remain top of the division.
ALLOA 3 EAST FIFE 1
Alloa opened well with a Scott Taggart shot going just wide. Then a shot from just outside the box was stopped by away keeper Scott Gallacher when Stefan Scougal shot from the edge of the box.
East Fife fought their way back into the match, but, against the run of play, the home side went ahead when Steven Boyd connected with a cross from Stefan Scougal from close range.
The Methil side started the second half with a wonder goal from Jamie Semple to level, firing an unstoppable shot from inside the box into the top right-hand corner of the goal.
Alloa fought back and scored two wonderful goals within two minutes.
On 65 minutes, Connor Salmon was on hand to hammer home to the bottom right corner from close range when he connected with a Daniel Church cross.
Soon after, Steven Boyd got his second goal of the match when fired in a rightfoot shot.
MONTROSE 2 CLYDE 2
After a dull first half, during which the home side created what few real chances there were, Montrose took control of the second period and opened the scoring in 49 minutes when Graham Webster slotted home from the spot after Clyde defender Scott Rumsby had pulled back Craig Johnston in the box.
On 56 minutes, Andrew Steeves added to Montrose’s lead with a left-footed shot into the corner following good work by Lewis Milne.
Clyde striker David Goodwillie made a couple of strong runs into the Montrose box without ever looking like scoring.
Ally Love hit the bar for Clyde in 72 minutes and, in 86 minutes, Goodwillie headed a good opportunity over the bar before Rob Jones pulled one back.
Clyde’s Barry Cuddihy was then ordered off for a second yellow after a
scuffle with Montrose keeper Fleming as he tried to retrieve the ball to get the game restarted quickly.
Despite playing with 10 men, Clyde equalised in the 90th minute when Love headed home a cross from Aaron Splaine.
FALKIRK 2 PETERHEAD 1
Craig Mcguffie’s 13th-minute opener, from Calumn Morrison’s inch-perfect cross, settled Falkirk nerves before veteran full-back Paul Dixon doubled their lead shortly after half-time.
There appeared to be little danger on 54 minutes to the visitors’ defence when Aidan Nesbitt’s shot was deflected, but Dixon showed an unexpected eye for goal as he turned sharply and then lashed the ball home off the underside of the bar.
Peterhead, whose manager Jim Mcinally is approaching 10 years in the job, opened their season with a home win over relegated Alloa, but went home empty-handed despite a stoppage-time consolation effort from Jordan Brown.