Inverurie Loco Works 0 Saints 5
Team : Cuthbert, Robertson, Flash, Ferry, Dods,
Maxwell, Parker,Reilly, Mixu, Bernard, McLaughlin
Subs : Nelson, Stevenson,Fotheringham, Malone, Johnston
Not quite the stroll in the sun that the scoreline suggests but more than
ample evidence that Saints look a more solid team unit these days with
scoring threats from all areas of the park - including the so-called
fringe youngsters who stood out today. And despite missing regulars such
as Paddy, Peaso, Hay, Lovering, McCluskey etc this side is looking good.
The game started evenly (which is more that can be said for the pitch - nice surface but a slope to put Easter Rd to shame). Saints had plenty of the ball but the Locos closed us down and didn't give us any time to settle or string any moves together. In fact it wasn't until the 9th minute before Parker latched onto a loose ball in the box but sclaffed his shot well wide. That seemed to be the spark to waken the Saints players up and two minutes later Bernard and McLaughlin ("Eddie" seems to be the nickname from his teammates!!) teamed up to cross the ball over - though Mixu's header was ruled out for climbing.
In the 18th minute we should have taken the lead when Keigan got onto a loose ball at the right side of the box. He cut it back from the byeline and found Mixu but the Finn tried to dribble the ball into the net ending up with the keeper saving his shot. A minute later Maxwell almost let Inverurie score when he totally missed the ball and allowed their no 9 through on goal - luckily they seemed to have inherited our shooting form from last season and a sclaff later the ball went well wide. Mixu then set up Keigan but not for the first time a dodgy offside ended the attack. Still in 24 minutes we took the lead at last when from an Inverurie shot, Saints broke down the right and one pass later and J-Ro was released up the wing. He got to the ball and hit a low drive from the edge of the box past the keeper to make it 1-0.
In
33 minutes we should have doubled our lead when a stonewall penalty saw
Parker felled needlessly in the box. Mixu had the ball in his hands before
the ref had finished whistling but his low spot kick was saved by the
keeper. The pressure was kept up though with a couple of corners and a
neat chip from Brian McLaughlin which went just over the bar. The
officials were spoiling the game thanks to far too many dodgy offsides
breaking up the flow of the game. But after Cuthbert had to look sharp to
cut out a cross just before the break we cleared our lines. The ball broke
to Ferry on the right of midfield and he sent a long ball into the middle.
Parker beat the offside trap and defender and hit a cracking shot past the
keeper to make it 2-0.
Half-time saw Stevenson replaced Mixu up front whilst Fotheringham came on for Bernard. Parker had a long-range chip saved five minutes into the half. We were knocking the ball about a lot better and looking more relaxed. In 56 minutes Parker got to the byeline and sent a good cross over but Stevenson's header went over the bar. But 10 minutes later a long ball from Robbo up the right wing saw Parker flick it on, beat off the defender's challenge and run onto the ball. He took it in close and sent a low shot across the goal into the net for our third.
But
if we were trying to relax Inverurie kept up the challenges and after we
failed to clear our defences in 69 minutes a 20-yard chip saw Cuthbert
pull off an excellent save to tip the ball wide. Reilly went off to be
replaced by Malone with 20 minutes to go and Saints upped the pace.
McLaughlin had a run and cross saved and then Stevenson released Robbo on
the overlap and his cross to the back post was headed just wide by Ferry.
But with 15 minutes left the 4th and pick of the goals came along. Some
patient build up on the left ended up with the ball being squared to an
unmarked Fotheringham who from 30 yards out took one touch before letting
rip with a curling shot into the top corner of the net - Hartley won't be
missed with finishing like that.
Craig
Johnston came on for Parker a minute later and with 7 minutes to go we got
the fifth of the afternoon. After build-up on the left the Locos defence
were caught in possession and McLaughlin sent a loose ball across the
goal. It took a deflection but landed at Ferry and he slotted it home from
8 yards out. Even after that Stevenson forced one good save from the
keeper and saw a long-range effort come off the bar. Malone and Ferry had
shots go wide and McLaughlin brought out another good save in the last
minute.
Overall it was an excellent performance. MoM for me was Parker - 2 goals and looking a lot sharper. But the defence is playing well, Cuthbert is on form and in Ferry and Fotheringham we have two midfielders who will be challenging for starting jerseys rather than just making up the numbers on the bench next season.
Optimism - strange feeling isn't it?
This Match Report is copyright Temple Of Saints - not to be reused without permission. Contact webmaster@grange.demon.co.uk.