Queen’s got 2025 off to a great start with a 2-0 Hampden win against Livingston
Head Coach Callum Davidson made a couple of changes to the starting line-up – one tactical and one enforced. Henry Fieldson replaced Josh Scott at left back, with Nikola Ujdur coming in to replace Dane Murray, whose loan period ended when Celtic recalled their young defender at the end of last week.
The game started at a chilly Hampden with Queen’s looking to make a fast start. Just a minute was on the clock when Queen’s forced a corner, which was cleared by the Livingston defence.
Louis Longridge had a shot saved at the expense of a corner in the 4th minute following a run and deep cross from Zak Rudden. Zach Mauchin then burst forward and was brought down with a last minute challenge which earned Livi number 3 Matthew Clarke a yellow card. From the free kick, Dom Thomas delivered a teasing cross which just evaded the Queen’s Park forwards.
The visitors came more into the game after 15 minutes, forcing a couple of corners which were well managed by the Queen’s defence.
24 minutes gone and Jack Turner popped up on the Spiders’ goal line to clear following a corner.
Queen’s raced up field and a neat interchange of passing between Jack Thomson, Rudden and Sean Welsh gave a shooting opportunity to Louis Longridge, however the shot ended up in the side netting.
The opening goal came after 38 minutes. A Queen’s corner on the right was taken short by Thomas to Thomson who found Jack Turner unmarked at the edge of the box. Jack’s clean strike was pushed onto the post by the Livi keeper before nestling in the back of the net. A well worked goal – Queen’s one up!
Mauchin picked up a yellow card for holding in the 37th minute, which would prove costly for the Queen’s youngster later in the game.
Half time: Queen’s Park 1 Livingston 0
It was the visitors who looked to make a fast start to the 2nd period, with Cal Ferrie in the Queen’s goal making a comfortable save just after the break.
49 minutes gone and the visitors had a golden opportunity to equalise when referee Stuart awarded Livingston a penalty. The experienced Stevie May stepped forward, however his shot rattled the crossbar and the referee blew for a foul when May headed the rebound goalwards without another player touching the ball following the penalty kick.
The Lions were made to pay for that miss when Jack Turner headed a second goal for the Spiders from a wicked corner taken by Thomson.
Just before the hour mark, Henry Fieldson was injured when defending a dangerous cross from Livi. Although he returned to the action, he could not continue and was substituted by Josh Scott a couple of minutes later.
The visitors had loud claims for a penalty after 71 minutes when a cross appeared to strike the arm of a Queen’s defender, however the referee waved away the penalty claims.
Queen’s full back Mauchin picked up a second yellow card following a late tackle after 72 minutes – Queen’s down to 10 men for the remainer of the game.
While Livingston had more possession as they tried to make their man advantage count, Ferrie in the Queen’s goal wasn’t overly worked. Indeed, it was the hosts who had chances to score again with substitute Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia using his pace down the right flank.
Rocco found himself one on one with the keeper in the 84th minute, however Prior blocked his shot to keep Livi in the game.
With a minute remaining, another fast break on the right saw Rocco pass to Liam McLeish whose powerful shot was saved at the expense of a corner.
Queen’s managed to see the game out and claim a very welcome 3 points in the first game of 2025.
Full Time: Queen’s Park 2 Livingston 0
Queen’s Park – Calum Ferrie, Zach Mauchin, Will Tizzard, Nikola Ujdur, Henry Fieldson (Joshua Scott 61), Sean Welsh, Jack Thomson, Louis Longridge, Jack Turner (Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia 76), Dom Thomas © (Ryan Duncan 76), Zak Rudden (Liam McLeish 87).
Unused substitutes – Jack Wills (GK), Max Thomson, Seb Drodz, Josh Hinds, Aiden McGinlay.
Livingston – J. Prior, M. Clarke (R Fraser 54), D. Wilson, R. McGowan, M. Nottingham (D Finlayson 54), S. Pittman, J. Brandon ©, S. Kelly, C. Montaño (A Winter 82), L. Smith (R Muirhead 46), S May.
Unused substitutes – B Jackson, R AcAleer, M Pitaluga (GK), O Green, A Shinnie.
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