Temple Of Saints - Excellent Start
Friendly 15/07/2002
Forfar 1 Saints 5
Team : Cuthbert, Robertson, Lovering, Stevenson, Dods,
Maxwell, Parker, Reilly, Mixu, Bernard, McLaughlin
Subs : Nelson, Flash, Fotheringham, Ferry, Baxter, Malone
Well
what can I say? When you remember that last seasons trip to Station Park
saw Saints scrape a 1-0 win tonight's showing in a competitive (to say the
least) match was a million times better - even if we were coasting it for
most of the second half. The main thing is we came through with no major
injuries and debuts from the new signings (and one hopeful new signing)
which will only serve to increase the confidence amongst the large support
that this might just be our year.
Saints lined up 4-4-2 with Parker and Mixu up front whilst Stevenson and
Brian the Wee Man were on the right and left wings. Reilly and Bernard
made up the central pairing with Robbo, Dods, Maxwell and Lovering across
the back. For the home team Dave McClune started in central defence whilst
Martin Maher was on the wing (and looking like the Michelin Man - too many
summer kebabs perhaps?). Anyway in excellent conditions and on a great
surface the early stages were fairly even and from Saints point of view
not inspiring especially with the first long ball from defence going
straight to the Wee Man.
Forfar had their first real attack in 5 minutes and won a corner. Saints
countered from it and Parker broke down the right wing before cutting the
ball back across the goal where McLaughlin's shot was blocked. From that
corner Dods saw his header go just over the bar. Saints were linking well
with Mixu getting the flicks on (and annoying the opposition fans as well
- something which looks set to carry on to the season proper) and the
defence rarely tested. For all that goalmouth chances weren't going
a-begging. In 10 minutes a WeeMan corner was knocked back to Lovering on
the edge of the box but he sclaffed his shot.
Five
minutes later Keigan had a decent claim for a penalty when he was bundled
over in the box but his, shall we say "over-enthusiasm"?, for
the ref to give him the decision meant we got nothing. But in 24 minutes
justice was done. A simple long ball into the box and Mixu was shoved from
behind (I know you're going to ask where Forfar managed to get the JCB on
the park to do the shoving but that's just not funny now Mixu's a
Saintee). The Finn stepped up to take the spot kick and a soft low drive
made it 1-0. And two minutes later we doubled the lead when a WeeMan
corner from the left found Mixu's head. His header was blocked but the
ball broke out to Bernard and from 12 yards out he hit a sweet low drive
past the keeper to make it 2-0. If that wasn't enough the third was only
another 6 minutes away. A neat 1-2 with Parker and Bernard saw the latter
through on goal and from the edge of the box he hit a cracking drive into
the top of the net to make it 3-0.
That was it for the first half in terms of goals (although Cuthbert had
to look lively towards the end of the 45 to make a great save from the
impressive Byers) but cult-hero-in-the-making Mixu gave us plenty of
entertainment. Another shove from a Loons defender had him up in arms and
giving it major verbals. Of course the home fans were quick to show their
feelings towards him and leaving the pitch at the end of the half one wit
asked how he was enjoying being with the wee teams - big smile from Mixu
and a shout of "Lovin It!!!".
The
second half was a more even affair to start with. Parker had a couple of
decent runs down the right but his crosses were missed by the rest of the
Saints attack. Then just as we started to relax, in 55 minutes we took too
long to clear our lines and a mistake by Dods let the Forfar no 11
(Henderson?) in to send a neat chip past the Cat to make it 3-1. Saints
nearly restored the 3-goal advantage two minutes later when some neat play
by Mixu and Parker set up the latter but his narrow angled drive, despite
going through the keepers arms, went just wide of the target. From the
corner Mixu managed to head the ball wide.
And on the hour mark Mixu was at it again - another argument with a
defender saw the ref over to calm things down. But nope Mixu the Mouth
stood there for 2-3 minutes arguing the toss with the ref before conceding
the free kick. Okay in a friendly but I wouldn't like to see a ref's
reaction if that happens during the season. That Finnish charm will only
go so far! Anyway despite the Loons getting the free kick we soon broke up
the park and a ball in from the right found Mixu. He knocked it down to
the WeeMan who squared the ball to Stevenson in the middle of the box and
he sidefooted it through a couple of defenders and into the net to make it
4-1. But an earlier foot knock after a nasty challenge meant he was
replaced almost immediately by Mark Ferry. Five minutes later Reilly had a
decent run through the middle on goal but his shot went just wide. He was
replaced just after by Fotheringham.
Dods was next to try his luck getting on the end of a Foxy corner but
despite 3 quick headers he just couldn't get the ball in the net with the
Forfar keeper pulling off the saves of the match. Flash replaced Lovering
next and after Parker missed a decent chance the subs were rounded off
with Baxter and Malone on for Parker and Robertson. That wasn't it in
terms of action though. Five minutes from time a Fotheringham cross was
met by Maxwell's head and the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line
to make it 5-1. Then with two minutes left, Bernard set Fotheringham up in
the middle. He turned and lost his defender and sent a great chip which
beat the keeper but came off the crossbar. Mixu was there for the
follow-up but he was ruled offside.
So overall not much to complain about. Well we still defend too deeply
and some players (Parker, McLaughlin and J-Ro) looked off the pace.
Stevenson wasn't too great on the wing either but put in a decent shift.
However none of the new boys disappointed and I'd say Bernard should get a
deal tomorrow - even ahead of John O'Neil. Mixu will be the cult hero of
the season and Lovering and the WeeMan both look decent acquisitions.
See - the sun's shining and the confidence is back. This will be our
year!!!
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