Ellis reigns supreme as Queen’s claim top spot
FALKIRK 0 QUEEN’S PARK 1
Laurie Ellis continued his dream start as Queen’s Park boss after Simon Murray’s first-half goal sent the Spiders to the top of League One at Falkirk Stadium yesterday.
Ray Mckinnon stood down after leading the Hampden club to last season’s League Two title, but Ellis has picked up the baton so successfully that Queen’s lead Montrose and Falkirk by a single point following an unbeaten opening run of five games.
The Bairns dominated the early exchanges yesterday, but they failed to take their chances as the visitors grew in confidence. Murray had already gone close on several occasions before his low right-foot free-kick opened the scoring in the 36th minute.
Falkirk rallied quickly and ought to have equalised early in the second period after striker Aidan Keena was fouled inside the box by substitute Charlie Fox. Callumn Morrison’s penalty rattled the crossbar, however, and Gary Miller then hit the post as the home side ratcheted up the pressure.
Both sides missed chances in the last 10 minutes, but Queen’s Park held on to claim top spot last night.
MONTROSE 1 DUMBARTON 2
Montrose were out-fought by an energetic Dumbarton side who made the most of their first-half chances with Gregor Buchanan scoring at the back post on 19 minutes from a free-kick by Ross Mclean.
The Sons added to their tally 10 minutes later when Mclean outwitted his marker on the left touchline and stroked the ball across the Montrose box for Kalvin Orsi to prod home.
The Gable Endies showed more intent in the second half and had another penalty shout refused on 52 minutes. Two minutes later Montrose had the ball in the net but the referee had already blown for a foul to the visitors.
Despite a number of close things Montrose were unable to score until 83 minutes when Graham Webster fired home from the spot after Andrew Steeves had been fouled in the area.
Dumbarton’s first half efforts proved sufficient to see them comfortably claim all three points.
CLYDE 2 COVE RANGERS 1
A David Goodwillie double was enough to claim the points for Clyde but Cove will have headed home wondering how they left empty-handed.
The visitors made the early running and forced a couple of corners in quick succession only to be hit with a sucker punch as the Bully Wee forged ahead from their first attack. Conrad Balatoni sent through a defence-splitting pass that found Goodwillie and the prolific striker produced a clinical finish, giving Kyle Gourlay no chance.
Cove responded with a snapshot from Mitch Megginson which was held by Bradley-hurst.
The effort proved the catalyst for a period of pressure for the visitors and a Jevan Anderson header drew a fine save from the Clyde keeper.
Instead, Cove found themselves two down before the break when Goodwillie pounced on a loose ball, raced forward and scored at the second attempt after Gourlay parried the initial effort.
Cove came out with all guns blazing on the restart but a lack of composure in front of goal saw chances squandered.
The visitors finally threw themselves a lifeline when Megginson was upended by Scott Rumsby and Mcallister fired in the resulting penalty.
And they were twice denied a leveller when Bradley-hurst brilliantly saved Megginson’s net-bound shot and then Leighton Mcintosh hit the bar in a frantic finale which also saw Clyde’s Matthew Elsdon sent off.
EAST FIFE 3 PETERHEAD 0
East Fife finally bagged their first three points of the new season and leapfrogged Peterhead out of bottom place in the process.
It took until the half-hour mark for either goalkeeper to be seriously worked with Scott Gallacher called on to hold a Scott Brown free-kick.
The best chance of the first half came with just five minutes to go before the break when Gallacher brilliantly tipped a Niah Payne drive on to the post.
Whatever Darren Young said to his side at the interval clearly had the desired effect and they broke the deadlock seconds after the restart.
Peterhead made a mess of clearing their lines and the Fifers managed to nab possession. Semple’s cross to the backpost was met by Kevin Smith, who fired high into the roof of the net.
The hosts knocked the stuffing out of the Blue Toon with 20 minutes to go when Connor Mcmanus netted from the penalty spot after Semple had been tripped by Jason Brown.
The points were wrapped up in the closing moments when Danny Denholm got on the end of an Andrews Osei-bonsu cross and netted from close range.