Temple Of Saints - Nice

Scottish Premier League - 22/10/2000

Saints 2 Excuse-Ridden TFOD 1 League Table Here

Team: Main,Sylla,Blaster,Dods,Kernaghan,Weir,Dasovic,Kane,Connolly, Parker, Evers
Subs: Cuthbert,Forsyth,JR,Tommy,Pope

I suppose we're nothing if not unpredictable. Despite the inevitable headlines tomorrow about how injury-stricken TFOD were (aye right we can see how many of their youth team they had to put on the bench to make up the numbers) there is nothing that can detract from the quality of the Saints performance. As with the Sellik game a few days ago when we fought but didn't get the breaks today we didn't even need the breaks as Saints destroyed TFOD.

MoMo passed a late fitness test and it meant that St. Sandy played the same team as Tuesday with the only change being the introduction of 17-yr old Ross Forsyth on the bench in place of the suspended Stuart Malcolm. Pre-match there was the usual fun of taking the piss out of the bigots (best one was the "Ban the Record" banner being waved from the East Stand - where did they find Neanderthals that could write).

But from the off Saints went at the bigots with the game being played at a hectic pace. MoMo out on the right was pushing forward a lot further than against TFOE and with the game only a couple of minutes old he saw a cross-cum-shot go just over as he took the piss out of Scumdee-reject McCann. TFOD's first effort came after five minutes with a free-kick on the edge of the box. But with Lorenzo taking it Lorenzo screwed up and blew it over the bar. Lorenzo he crap don't you know.

Meanwhile MoMo was loving it on the right wing and with the Saints midfield combining well (with Evers looking like filling the "hole" beautifully), a ball fed to the right saw MoMo skin both McCann and Porrini using a sublime backheel to nutmeg the former. He got to the bye-line but the cross was just missed by Evers and Paddy Thingy.

We didn't have long to wait though - with 17 minutes gone, another through ball to Sylla saw him pass up the wing to Kiegan. He got passed Porrini and into the box before the Italian needlessly sent Nosey flying. Soft it might have been but it was a definite penalty and Freeland didn't hesitate in pointing to the spot. Up steps Parker and sends the TFOD keeper the wrong way to put Saints in front and for the first time in what seemed like ages the home support started to sing. There was a good claim for another penalty just after that when a long ball forward saw Paddy Thingy mounted by Lorenzo.

Then Dasovic picked up the first booking for a tackle from behind on DeBore (and if he's a world-class player then Andy Brannigan is Pele). Saints were more than holding their own and the 5-man midfield was in control. A ball to the right found Parker who skipped over a TooGay leg-breaking tackle and sent the ball to Paddy. His cross found Nick on the penalty spot facing the wrong way. The ball was fed out to Kano but his shot was sclaffed and despite deflecting off Evers (who was in the 6-yd box) the ball went wide.

TFOD began to put some pressure on Saints though but Main was more than up for dealing with Barry the Overrated's shots, whilst the defensive trio were easily closing down McCann, Miller and Dodds. Saints were getting some chances though and Paddy sent the ball just wide from a Kane corner after 35 minutes. Just after that Evers went for a run up the middle of the park and fed the ball to Paddy whose weak shot was easily saved. The bigots were getting desperate now and TooGay was diving all over the place. It wasn't a problem cos Lorenzo, he take the free kicks and Lorenzo, he fucked them up every time. But on the other side McCann was up to his usual tricks and just before the break MoMo was stupid enough to get involved in a scuffle with him. Cue a warning from the ref which MoMo was daft enough to ignore and when he brought McCann down a minute later (needlessly as well) he went into the book and incurred the wrath of Cap'n Jim. He made up for it though by putting in a good block on McCanns shot just before the break as Saints soaked up the pressure.

Second-half started at the same hectic pace with TFOD looking to up the pace. They had a good chance after 50 minutes when Saints stood off them and Dodds forced a great save from Main. But we were holding our own and forcing the odd corner. Main made another save from Dodds just after that and when Weir and McCann went to clear the ball the pair clashed with McCann dropping to the ground as heavily as TFOD are going down the league clutching his face. Luckily Freeland was having none of this and booked the wee shite for diving which must have been a bit of a relief for Cap'n Jim who would no doubt have been red-carded and shot if Rowbotham had been in charge.

Saints relief didn't last and with the midfield starting to stand off the TFOD we were punished in 55 minutes when Kenny Miller took a potshot of a low drive from 30 yards out which Main didn't see. 1-1 and the bigots start to sing - pathetic. But Saints are a fighting team these days and despite TFOD looking a lot more confident just after they scored, the lads didn't let their heads go down. Adamcheat was booked for a foul on Bollan with the pair carrying on a major grudge match and Father Dougal who was immense all day, blocked a certain goal by getting his arse in the way of a Miller shot.

With 25 minutes to go Saints began to get some pressure. Bollan picked up the ball in the box after some good work from Paddy Thingy only to see his shot tipped wide. Then we had Father Dougal acting as a striker with first of all a run up the park and then combining with Paddy to try a narrow shot from 5 yds which was well palmed. We were looking for a wee bit of magic and with MoMo that's just what we got. 67 minutes gone and he picked the ball up in the middle of the park. A few strides forward and when he's looking so casual you just know what's going to happen. Sure enough 25 yards out and the MoMo Missile let fly past the keeper and into the top right corner of the net. Suffice to say that he looked rather chuffed with his strike.

Wiggy who should surely have been sent to the stand for continually leaving his cage during the game to complain or sarcastically clap the ref sent on Tommy's wee brother and Wallace for Dods and Adamcheat, whilst St. Sandy put on Tommy for the knackered Paddy. It was going to be our day though and with TooGay finally getting booked for diving even the little pressure TFOD could put on us was to little effect. Saints on the other hand had a good chance to wrap it up when Tommy and Kiegan broke up the park with only Konterman to stop them - unfortunately Tommy's pass was too long and by the time Kiegan had the ball under control TFOD were back defending in numbers.

MoMo was having great fun by now and a foul on him on the touchline saw a free-kick which Dasovic managed to head on target. At the other end a Dasovic foul on DeBore saw Lorenzo get another free-kick. But Lorenzo, hey, he fuck it up again. Sean Evers picked up a yellow for his first foul and he had a chance before the end. He's added a new dimension to the midfield with both Paddy and Kiegan frequently joined in the box by Evers. Almost like having 3 forwards at times. Pope was put on in injury time for Evers but even an amazing 3 minutes added on couldn't save TFOD from losing to a much improved Saints side. And when TFOD were leaving the park it was summed up when Wiggy was forced to grab McCann to stop him trying to kill Weir. For the so-called little general this was Waterloo.

As for Saints there wasn't a blue shirt that put a foot wrong today. MoM for me though was Kiegan who has improved with each game and kept Lorenzo in his back pocket for the game. MoMo scored a cracking goal and the midfield is looking like more of a unit with Evers especially a star performer. Main's back to form and the Cartman, Weir and Dods all outstanding.

Now we can be optimistic about the season!!!!

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