Clydebank 1 Saints 1
Team ::
Main,McQuillan,Donaldson,Attila,Weir,Whiteford,ONeil,Tosh,Ferguson
Georgio,Bowman
Subs : McCluskey,Grant,McAnespie
All those of a
nervous disposition had better avoid Saints games until the title race is
settled - going by tonights performance it will be a long run-in. To be frank
Saints were crap and were damn lucky to get the goal (although by the chances we
missed towards the end we should have won). Yet again the defence and midfield
played like amateurs. Too many players are not turning in a good enough
performance to justify their first-choice places (McQuillan, Tosh etc).
The game kicked off at 7.30 (obviously the Bankies werent expecting any more than the 620 mugs who did turn up) and straight away they did their best to spoil any attempt (however unlikely) by Saints to play a flowing game. In fact apart from an Attila rocket turned round the post and a few cross balls aimed at Main there wasnt much action in the first half although both teams did their best to limit the time the ball was in play anyway.
Attila struggled at the start but came into the game more. Both sides of the full-back / winger partnership were to be honest shit. Donaldson played like a St****muir player normally does and McQ and Tosh couldnt seem to get any linking at all. As for Gary Bowman well he did come in for some extra attention from his ex-teammates but he doesnt seem to push forward enough and his first-touch reminded me of vintage Harry Curran.
The second-half started in much the same way with the Bankies dominating more and more and Main was forced into some "world-class" (c. J. Brown) saves including an excellent double save when it was 1-0. Bankies eventually took the lead when a loose ball from defence found an unmarked Bankie who sent a low ball into the box for a scramble into the net.
Saints finally started to show some spirit now and the subs came on to replace Fergie, Tosh and Bowman. The equaliser wasnt long in coming when 17-yr old McAnespie sent a free kick into the box only for it to be cleared back out to his feet. He controlled the ball, passed 2 defenders and sent a 20-yard curling rocket into the net. Almost enough to make up for the rest of the team.
Despite plenty of Saints pressure after that (efforts from ONeil, Roddy and Georgio missing the target) there were no further goals. Bookings too for Donaldson and Attila along with 2 Bankies. And for the stadium buffs out there you'll be pleased to know they're building permanent bogs at the away end - here hoping we're never back to use them. Only 19 points are now needed to clinch the title.