Scumdee 0 Saints 0
Team ::
Main,McQuillan,Davison,Preston,McCluskey,Griffin,Scott,ONeill,McAnespie,
Georgio,Jenko
Subs : Whiteford,Bowman,King
Well for a team missing 5 regular first-teamers and up against a very fired-up Dundee side it has to be said we got the best result. It doesnt look like anyone will catch us now and the smile Luggy had on his face at full-time told the story. For a goalless game there was plenty of action and chances for both teams with Scumdee probably having the greater share of possession as Saints persisted in trying to constantly send over high balls in the hope that they would find a friendly foot. However the Dundee defence managed to pick most of these up and with the Saints midfield doing its usual non-appearance, it was up to the defence to keep Saints in the game.
Both teams got off to a fast start with Danny getting the first booking after 10 mins for a late tackle on Robertson - to be honest he was lucky to get away with a booking. Lee Power of the Scum also picked up a bad injury at this point and was taken off. Best chances of the first half fell to Scott - he hit the post with one good effort following a good build up and towards the end of the half had a run from midfield thru the middle of the Scum defence only to put the ball over the bar. At the other end Main made a good save at the foot of O'Driscoll who has managed to turn into the biggest diver in Scumdeeland since the days of Dodds before he signed for Saints. Saints defence was solid enough although McQ seemed to stand off Anderson too often to let the Scum attack. In the middle Danny and McCluskey kept up their record of never having conceded a first-team goal when playing alongside one another.
Second half started much brighter for Saints with Jenko finally getting off his arse and doing some good runs up the wing in conjunction with Davison altho the latter had to be taken off after a few heavy challenges to be replaced by Andy Whiteford. After this good start tho Scumdee came back into the game more and more with Main and his defence making several panicky clearances. Main however did make two world-class saves from Shaw to keep Saints in the game. Jenko and Paul Tosh managed to pick up a booking apiece after a little shoving off the ball. Saints best chances of the second-half came from a through ball from midfield to ONeill who squared to an inrushing Keyring only for McGlynn to save at his feet. Georgio, O'Neill and Jenko all had good efforts saved / deflected.
Overall it wasnt a vintage game or performance from the boys - we sorely miss a goalscorer up front. Georgio and Jenko didnt seem to be trying for most of the game and the Scott/Preston combination in midfield isnt enough to keep the forwards supplied. Only ONeill and the central defenders can really say they had good games. And the usual thanks must go to the wonderful Scumdee organisation - Saints fans were shoved out in the rain at the open end of the ground and in the deathtrap of a main stand again. Why they just cant keep us in the enclosure I dont know. Still at least we outnumbered the home support again.