Saints 1 Morton 0
Team ::
Main,McQuillan,Donaldson,Attila,Weir,Griffin,ONeil,Tosh,Grant,Georgio, Bowman
Subs : McAnespie,Fergie,McCluskey
Looking back we probably deserved to win but it has to be said
that the overall team performance was pretty crap. With plenty of injuries to
worry about Gary Bowman was brought in for his debut and Donaldson started his
first game in ages with Kieran McAnespie on the bench.
Saints seemed to start well enough and had plenty of pressure against a
Morton team whose defence looked very shaky after centre-half Reid was taken
off injured after 5 mins. Tosh was getting plenty of room to move and the
newly-wed Roddy doing well to win the high balls. Unfortunately the same cant be
said for the centre of midfield with Attila trying his best to continue the dire
form he showed on Tuesday night.
Morton were quick on the break but both Griffin and Weir had excellent
games and Euan Donaldson at left-back is finally starting to look like the
player he has always promised to be. Saints found Morton keeper Wylie in good
form with excellent saves from Roddy (twice), Bowman and OBoyle. Both Tosh and
McQuillan were getting a lot of room to move on the right wing although the
final cross failed to reach a Saintee.
Saints best chance came on the
stroke of half-time when John O'Neil made a good run into the box from the left
only to be barged off the ball for a stonewall penalty. Georgio picked up the
ball only to hand it to Roddy who then proceeded to force Wylie into a good
save. Cue plenty of jokes about the groom failing to score etc etc
Second-half was a more even affair with both teams starting to tire. Saints had
most of the chances with a Dino effort spinning out of Wylies hands and another
Dino header going over. Bowman was replaced by McAnespie to give some pace up
front (the Bankies part-time training was evident in his lack of pace) and Roddy
by Fergie.
That seemed to be the catalyst the Saints needed and they
began to exert some pressure with McAnespie especially looking fast on the wing.
With 10 mins to go he did well to get a cross over which after the usual
bouncing about the box found Fergie on the edge who took the time to position
himself before placing a low shot past Wylie.
After that Saints still
had to put up with some Morton pressure but the change in the teams confidence
was easily seen. Tosh had a couple of good efforts before the end of the match
but the result was never in any doubt.
No bookings for Saints and
we're now 14 points clear !!!!