The fixture computer couldn't have been much harsher to the Spiders as they played off against John McGlashan's Red Lichties, one of the favourites for the Third Division championship on the opening day and going by Queen's woeful home form which had been evident in the previous few seasons, Arbroath were favourites for this one in many peoples eyes.
Billy Stark had made a triple signing swoop on Friday afternoon, but only one of these men had made the matchday squad, former Stirling Albion forward Robert Dunn, done enough to secure a place on the bench with Paul Ronald and Michael Keenan snubbed.
He was also given the handicap of having a defence at 50% strength, due to supension having ruled out both skipper Stephen Reilly and right back Paul Paton. Alan Trouten and Damiano Agostini filled in the gaps with the side otherwise at full strength. The mental netminder David Crawford was in goals, with Trouten, Agostini, Richard Sinclair and QPSA President Mick Dunlop in defence. Mark Ferry, Stuart Kettlewell, Steven Canning and Tony Quinn lined up in the middle of the park with "new boy" Frankie Carroll and David Weatherston up front.
Queen's started the game the stronger side and David Weatherston showed his intent after four minutes when he left Robbie Raeside flailing and cut the ball across the box, but, it didn't find Frankie Carroll who was prowiling in the six yard box. Also, Frankie layed off for Mark Ferry who biffed a shot miles over from 25 yards.
QP old boy Willie Martin was a lucky boy to stay on the park after his lunging tackle downed Stuart Kettlewell and then minutes later his two footed lunge left Alan Trouten writhing in agony, he could have been off, but referee Collum decided a booking was the best course of action.
Alan Trouten should really have opened the scoring after 29 minutes when neat play by the lively Frankie and Stuart Kettlewell played him in one on one with Mark Peat. Instead of running on and firing home, he decided to cross for Weatherston but Rennie was more than up to the task of clearing the danger.
The game swung in Arbroath's favour on 37 minutes when they brough on striker Bryan Scott for Nicky Smith, it was his first ever Arbroath game, pre-season games included, and he stole the show. His first chance came soon after his introduction, Raeside played him a neat through ball and Scott stripped Agostini for pace, he ran on and but for David Crawford's good save, it would have been 1-0 to the Smokies.
He turned creator on 45 minutes as Arbroath took the lead. He played a through ball behind Sinclair and Agostini and former Forfar midfielder Barry Sellars stuck the ball past Crawford and into the bottom corner.
HALF TIME: Queen's Park 0 - 1 Arbroath
The second half started poorly with Mark Ferry booked for a challenge on Scott on 55 minutes. Seconds later Richard Bowers replaced Steven Canning for Queen's and Alan Brazil, who broke his leg at Hampden against Queen's in February, made his first appearance since the break replacing Willie Martin for Arbroath.
Ten minutes later we got our first look at our new signing, Robert Dunn replacing Frankie Carroll. Queen's were denied a good penalty shout moments later when as Richard Bowers stretched to control a Weatherston cross, which rolled behind him, he was hauled to the ground by his shoulders by Arbroath defender Jamie Bishop. We decided to bring off star performer Mick Dunlop for Shaun Molloy on 74 minutes and we instantly paid the price.
Shaun Molloy is known for his meandering up the left hand side, and to be fair he is a good left wing player, but, he was too far forward, as was Trouten and we were left short at the back when a long ball from defence was controlled by troublesome sub Bryan Scott. He got his head down ran through, and scored. 2-0, and Queen's were beaten.
Arbroath's third came after 82 minutes when a loose ball forty yards out was misjudged by Agostini and Scott stole the ball from under his nose, Scott's touch was heavy and ended up out into the left back position, Molloy was again too far forward and Scott was given time to get it under control, run into the box at an angle and beat Crawford as he rushed out towards him.
It should have been four in injury time when once again Molloy was out of position and Scott crashed the ball off the underside of the bar from the left side of the penalty area.
Next up are Hamilton Accies in the CIS Cup 1st Round at Hampden Park, surely we cannot be as bad as this, again.
QUEEN'S PARK: David Crawford, Alan Trouten, Mick Dunlop (Shaun Molloy '74), Damiano Agostini, Richard Sinclair, Steven Canning (Richard Bowers '55), Stuart Kettlewell, Tony Quinn, Frankie Carroll (Robert Dunn '65), David Weatherston, Mark Ferry
SUBS NOT USED: Jonny Whelan, Zander Cowie (gk)
BOOKED: Mark Ferry
REFEREE: William Collum
ATTENDANCE: 634
MAN OF MATCH: Mick Dunlop, Got stuck in at left back and broke up some promising Arbroath moves, baffilingly replaced by Shaun Molloy after 74 minutes.