Temple Of Saints - We're Back
Friendly 13/07/2002
Stirling 0 Saints 2
Team : Cuthbert, Robertson, McCulloch, McCluskey, Dods,
Maxwell, Murray, Reilly, Hartley, Paddy, Kiegan
Subs : Devlin, Peaso, McClune, Stevenson, Fotheringham,
Ferry, Maher
Aaaaaah.
Back to action with the first pre-season friendly of what we all hope will
be a glorious season as Saints win cup after cup and romp home in the
league to get back into the SPL. Aye well not quite. Sure we kept a clean
sheet and Cuthbert only had 2 saves to make and we scored a couple of
goals but given the 3rd Division side with umpteen trialists in it that
made up the opposition and the fact that the Saints line-up was pretty
close to what will be the first-choice line-up for the season ahead it's
plain to see that there's still a lot of work to be done. And almost as
worrying, there was a lot of evidence today that the problems in the side
last season are still there.
Anyway what about the game? Well the formation saw a 5-3-2 line-up with
Dods, McCluskey and Maxwell making up the core of defence (with Maxwell on
the left) whilst Marco and Robertson (who I refuse to call Robbo) were the
overlapping full backs - both of whom played well in their roles. The
midfield saw Reilly supporting Hartley and Murray and looking like a fast
Paul Kane - ie he can tackle. And up front we had Kiegan and Paddy - not a
lot has changed there.
We
got off to a decent start with the exception of Maxwell who although
looking fine in the air with his height, took time to settle with the ball
at his feet although he did come into the game. In the end though it only
took 5 minutes for Saints to open the scoring. Kiegan was fouled on the
edge of the box and JR sent a cross in. Dods saw his header saved but
Robertson reacted well to net the rebound.
Saints pretty much dominated the game in terms of shots although it's
too McCluskey's credit that he helped nullify their no 9 trialist (one J
Veraille who displayed all the ability of his World Cup countrymen).
However the shots we did get in weren't that hot - Dods saw a sclaff of a
drive saved and then a Robertson cross saw Paddy's diving header missed by
Marco.
The game was fairly poor although in midfield Reilly looked settled and
was dictating the play. Unfortunately Kiegan was coming in for a lot of
attention which he milked in his own inimitable way whilst Paddy was Paddy
as Saints lacked the killer touch. Murray and JR both saw shots go over
the bar and then JR saw a low 25-yard free-kick go just wide. Then a slow
build-up (which seemed to be the main tactic today) ended with Paddy being
slipped through 1-on-1 with the keeper only to chip his shot over the bar.
And to round off the half Kiegan saw a decent shot well saved.
The second half started a lot more quietly with only Robertsons
Ronaldinho impression (it didn't come off) to entertain the large
travelling support. In fact we had to wait until near the hour mark before
Kiegan was put through on goal unfortunately it was selfish Kiegan today
and he took the shot instead of passing to the unmarked JR. But a couple
of minutes later we got the 2nd when Paddy had a rare run up the left -
his shot was saved but the Albion keeper failed to hold it and Kiegan
tapped in the rebound to make it 2-0.
The usual pre-season friendly tradition of bringing on the subs at
2-minute intervals then took over and we had Stevenson (he of the white
boots) on for McCluskey with Murray dropping back to defence.
Unfortunately his first touch was to trip over the ball and the 2nd to
send a good shot over the bar. But he's a lot bulkier than some of the
youngsters and showed a few good touches. Peaso came on for Paddy and
Fotheringham (with a well-dodgy bleach job) replaced Reilly. But the game
was pretty poor now with Saints settling for a JR effort and a couple of
Robertson shots. Marco was replaced by Martin Maher who put in some good
play on the left with including a twist and turn to beat a defender with
15 minutes to go only for his shot to be deflected. One of the biggest
cheers from the away support was saved for the Stirling player-coach and
ex-Saintee Allan Moore coming off the bench. Whilst he didn't cause too
many problems he still left some Saints players standing at times which is
more than a bit worrying.
McClune replaced Robertson and the last 10 minutes saw the game spark
into life once more. Dods saw a header go just wide and then JR set up
Peaso who passed to Kiegan only for the youngster to rush his shot and
send it wide. Cuthbert made a cracking save at the edge of the box and we
had heaps of corners only to get nothing from them (that's another one for
the training on Monday Billy). In the end the closest we came was from a
Fotheringham 25-yard free-kick which curled over the wall and went just
wide.
Still it's a win under the belt and the experience of celebrating a goal
is a bit fresher in the memory now. The new boys all played well with MoM
Robertson pick of the bunch for me. The Saints youngsters all did well too
but, and I hate to say it, we still have a problem up front and going by
today you just can't see Paddy being a first-choice striker next season.
Finally can we just please come up with an original nickname for
Robertson - Robbo is just too passe.
This Match Report is copyright
Temple Of Saints - not to be
reused without permission. Contact
webmaster@grange.demon.co.uk.