Temple Of Saints - A Bit More Convincing

Bells League Division One 30/08/2003

Saints 3 Brechin 1 League Table Here

Team : Cuthbert, J-Ro, Baxter, Bernard, Dods, Maxwell, Parker, Reilly, Mixu, Sid, Malone
Subs : Nelson, Forsyth, McLaughlin, Robertson, Foxy

Well there's no doubt that it was a good result in the end today but the only real improvement seemed to take place in the second 45 after a pretty even first half. Whether or not the win will be enough to keep Stark in a job remains to be seen but the reshuffling of the side at the back and the massive improvement in the form of midfield especially once we went ahead meant that the side almost looked back to normal with a convincing win over a Brechin side which never seemed to be in the game today. Mavis returned to midfield today which meant Foxy dropped down and Baxter came in at right back with Flash dropping out. Saints player three across the back with Robbo playing almost as a sweeper behind Dods and Maxwell. In the middle there was a change as well with Sid playing a more forward role tucked in behind the strikers. Maxwell kept his place despite worries about the flu yesterday.

The first minute it seemed to be business as usual with a good run and cross by Parker headed well over the bar by Mixu. And whilst Saints seemed pretty nervous on the ball and there was still a predominance of the long ball being played, it seemed that the game was going to be a lot more even with Saints looking a bit hungrier for the ball - and Mavis was up for it as much as anyone as demonstrated by a cracking clash with the ref in 8 minutes.

We had some of the early chances as well despite conceding some stupid free kicks and corners. Sid had a good volley blocked in 12 minutes and then three minutes later a good linking move through the middle (with the ball on the ground as well!!!!) as Mavis set up Sid who slipped a good pass behind the defence for Parker to run onto. Unfortunately Keigan's low angled shot was easily saved.

Of course as we began to grow in confidence so the stupid mistakes still existed at the back. Malone missed a ball in the box and a cross in was put over the bar from about three yards out. The Cat had to block a corner kick before at the other end Bernard had a weak low long-range effort go well wide. A minute after that a Dods cross from the right was headed goalwards from the edge of the box by Malone but was held. Then Mixu won the ball in midfield and linked with Maxis and Sid to set up Parker for a shot that was blocked. Mavis set up Sid next for a chip to Parker but he sclaffed his shot over the bar as Saints kept up the pressure.

Sid picked up the first yellow of the game on the half-hour mark after his 2nd foul of the game but to be honest it was a pretty soft award. Mavis and Bernard had a couple of shots blocked but the half ended with Maxwell going off to be replaced by Flash (and the defence going to a flat back four with Robbo and Dods in the middle). Brechin ended the half with some pressure and Bernard had to look sharp to head the ball clear a couple of times.

The second-half started with a Brechin corner early on which was easily cleared. But four minutes into the half we broke the deadlock. Some good build-up play saw Bernard in some space on the inside left. He took the ball to the edge of the box before crossing to the far side where Mixu, practically unmarked rose up to bullet a header into the net to make it 1-0. Cue for major sigh of relief round the stands and suddenly Saints started to look a bit more relaxed and confident on the ball.

There was still some controversy and just before the hour mark Mixu held the ball up on the left side at the byeline before turning and putting a neat cross into the box. Sid went to get it at the near post but was bundled to the ground in one of the most blatant penalties I've seen in years. Unfortunately the ref, who had a decent game otherwise refused to give it.

Still we kept up the pressure and within a couple of minutes Sid had linked well with Parker to set the latter up for a good shot which was blocked. Then in 62 minutes a cracking move saw us break from defence with Sid turning his man on the right wing and leaving him for dead before crossing into the middle of the park where he found Bernard on a good through run only for Bernard to trip over the ball as he lined up a shot. Parker got onto the end of a Mixu flick at the back post next but his shot went wide. Sid and Mavis also had shots blocked and deflected for a corner respectively. Then Malone got onto the end of a Sid ball but his shot went just wide. At the other end Saints had a bit of a panic when a Brechin free kick went across the goalmouth untouched and too close for comfort.

But with twenty minutes let a good break from defence saw Malone set up Parker. The ball broke back to Reilly and his cross from the left back into the box saw Mixu get behind the defence. One powerful header into the net and we're 2-0 up and the fans were treated to the sight of a Mixu somersault. A minute later we nearly got the third when Parker cut into the box. His chipped was flicked on by Mixu to Bernard but his shot went over the bar. But five minutes later we made it three in some style. A good break saw Sid set up Parker. His cross was flicked on by Mixu but cleared to the back post where Darren "Nosebleed" Dods was there to let rip with a brilliant first-time volley which rocketed the ball into the top corner.

3-0 and cruising - mind you within a minute Dods had almost let Brechin score at the other end when his mistimed tackle let a shot through and wide. McLaughlin and new loan boy Mark Robertson came on for Sid and Bernard for the last 10 minutes. Brechin got a few breaks of the ball as the game died down but with 2 minutes left Malone and McLaughlin linked well on the left before the latter crossed for Mixu to head the ball into the net only to be ruled off for offside. But that wasn't it for the action and a quickly taken free kick on the right in the last minute saw Brechin slip the ball into the box as Saints were caught napping and Gibson was there to slot the ball home for a consolation.

If nothing else today showed that confidence is a fragile thing. We played well enough in the first half but the second period was like the start of the season again. All the players played well today despite the odd mistake. Mixu took his goals well and J-Ro was a revelation at the centre of defence whilst Dods and Maxwell looked more confident. And in midfield the return of Mavis meant we had more shape and more room for Bernard and Sid (my MoM) to move.

Of course the big question is whether or not it can be kept going for Tuesday night - that will be what determines Stark's future.

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