Temple Of Saints - More Xmas Goodwill

Scottish Premier League - 30/12/2000

Saints 2 Hearts 2 League Table Here

Team: Main,Dods,Bollan,Weir,McCulloch,Sylla,Dasovic,O'Neill, Parker,Paddy,Pope
Subs: Cuthbert,Tommy,Nathan,Frail,Forsyth

It's no use - Saints are taking this season of goodwill shit a bit too far. After the last couple of performances we again managed to shoot ourselves in the foot with a total lack of any real attacking play in the second-half and instead deciding to just sit back until the inevitable Jambo equaliser. And there are a few players that can quite simply head off on the winter break and if they don't return we won't be that bothered.

With Kane and McCluskey unfit, Dasovic and Paddy were recalled to the team, whilst Tommy dropped back to the bench to make way for McCulloch. Also on the subs bench and getting a good cheer was comeback man Nathan Lowndes.

The game started evenly enough with both sides producing some decent enough play on a good surface. Saints played 3-5-2 with Dods, Weir and Bollan along the back, Sylla on the right and McCulloch on the left and Dasovic, O'Neill and Pope in the middle with the latter also supporting Kiegan and Paddy up front.

As usual we forced a couple of corners early on before we got hit by the sucker punch. Only 6 minutes on the clock and a Jambo break sees Kirk beat Weir to the ball and chip Main, who was again well off his line. He got a hand to the ball only to see it loop over his head and into the net. Still, we fought back into the game and only a couple of minutes later Le Mo made a good run up the right before slipping the ball to Kiegan who's shot was tipped wide by Niemi. At the other end we had a real let-off when an unmarked Tomasheck broke into the middle onto the end of a Banjo ball (a player who skinned Bollan all day - more of that later) only to send the ball well over the bar.

Saints were looking good in patches but far too often the last touch let us down. Dasovic and O'Neill were struggling for pace in midfield, McCulloch looked lost going forward and in defence both Weir and Bollan were having a bad game with the latter especially looking as though he was playing for the Jambos already - not a good way to endear yourself to the home fans.

We were making chances though and in 20 minutes, Kiegan had a good run on the right and sent an angled drive in which Niemi produced a brilliant save to tip over. We forced a series of corners as well before the Jambos broke and Banjo (again given far too much room) missed an absolute sitter. It was going to take a piece of magic to get us back into the game and 5 minutes later Le Mo obliged. Pope, who had a great game went for a run through the middle. At the edge of the box, he slipped the ball to Paddy. He was tightly marked so couldn't get a shot in but passed the ball to the right where MoMo was running in. One 15-yd volley later and the ball's in the net and we're back in the game.

Saints had a good spell of possession and a Pope 30-yd drive was held. Then a minute later, MoMo sent a crossfield ball to Pope who cut the ball back for Dazza only for the rockstar's shot to be blocked. We took the lead in cheeky style though. A through ball from the midfield reached Kiegan on the right wing. He got to the byeline and send a low ball across goal where Paddy was waiting at the near post to backheel the ball into the net.

We should have had more from the play from then until the break with a series of corners producing nothing, a Pope long range effort held at the 2nd attempt by Niemi and then on the stroke of half-time a MoMo curling free kick was blocked by the head of Pressley. It was even enough to get the West Stand hospitality crowd singing (yup singing from the WEST Stand - a real Xmas novelty).

After not winning the car at half-time the 2nd half was a real disappointment for Saints as the players seemed more than happy to settle for 2-1. We started well enough although the Jambo tactics of closing down our strikers saw Pressley booked for a scythe on Kiegan. Paddy had our best chance of killing the game off in 55 minutes when he got onto the end of a lob behind the defence only to see his angled drive across goal go just wide. A few minutes later Paddy had a good break on the right - he got upfield and sent a good cross over only for Pope to send a weak shot in.

The Jambos put on Durie for the Gargoyle and we all awaited the inevitable penalty dive. Saints started fading from the game about now with the midfield of Dasovic and O'Neill looking tired and unable to get forward to support the strikers. McCulloch also looked weak on the left but the subs weren't even warming up.

The game was getting scrappy as well with Locke picking up a yellow for a hack on Pope and Pope a yellow for a hack on Locke a few minutes later. Dods was the only real solid looking piece of the Saints defence at this time and with 20 minutes to go he made a great last-ditch tackle on Kirk in the box to deny a Jambo equaliser. At the other end Petric picked up a yellow for a foul on Kiegan.

Then with 12 minutes left Saints blew it. Bollan failed to get to Banjo on the right and although the ball looked like it was going out the Jambo still beat the future-Jambo to the byeline and sent a low cutback into the box for Durie to slip home. That's several times Bollan has let us down recently and despite St. Sandy's belief that selling him will cost us points it has to be said that playing him isn't exactly helping our league position either - time to at least drop him. We finally got a sub on as the knackered Parker (who faded very quickly) was replaced by Nat King Goals who looked as sharp and as fast as ever. He was felled by a forearm smash by Petric 5 minutes from time but no yellow from the ref although the free kick was awarded and MoMo saw his shot blocked. Then just at the death Weir sent a lovely through ball into the box, MoMo and Nathan combined but the Ginger Bombers shot was just wide.

So an ok performance in places - we're still relying too much on a few players though although my MoM, Pope looks to be improving in leaps and bounds now with a willingness to put in some tackles and help out in defence adding to his game. MoMo was also excellent and Dods had another good game in defence. And there is hope for a fast striking partnership of Nathan and Kiegan. But we have a real problem on the left side of the park. St. Sandy seems unwilling to play Tommy and as it is just now McCulloch is having to do far too much covering for Bollan who based on today's performance just isn't bothered any more.

Maybe we just all need a winter break...

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