Saints 1 ICT 2 League Table Here
Team : Cuthbert, Robertson, Lovering, Donnelly, Dods,
Maxwell, Parker,Ferry, Mixu, Bernard, Malone
Subs : Nelson, Baxter, Fotheringham, Hay, Forsyth
Well that's the bubble well and truly burst and we can't really say we haven't had the warning signs over the last couple of games. Well today it was Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee in the centre of defence, a lethargic performance from Lovering, Ferry in midfield who looked like a wee boy lost, the rest of the midfield going missing (with the exception of Malone one of the few high points) and Mixu missing a couple of good chances. But, and it's a big but, despite the scoreline we possibly deserved a point out of the game - mind you that's just not good enough this season.
Saints started well enough in front of the new cardboard fans in the Ormond Stand but the early stages of the game were more notable for Hislop picking up the first booking in the 3rd minute after 2 nasty challenges on Eddie Malone on the left wing. Apart from that there was plenty of spirit and fight from Saints. Dods came close with a header early on and Parker and Lovering both had good crosses into the box which were cleared a bit too easily. But the first worrying sign came at the other end after Caley's first corner was totally missed by the Cat (who was possibly blinded by the Sun). The ball was cleared but the signs of the defence looking a bit dodgy were starting to show with Maxie and Dods slow to clear their lines a couple of times and Lovering just slow.
Of course they weren't helped by a midfield that couldn't string two passes together and Ferry, who I assume was meant to play the Reilly holding role just wasn't in the game. In the 15th minute another Caley corner was punched clear by the Cat but then slack defending allowed the ball to be headed back in and he had to react quickly to tip it over the bar. Two minutes later and another Caley break saw Dods totally miss his tackle and only Robbo's last ditch block keep the cross out. For all their efforts though Caley hardly had a shot near goal with only a Bingham effort going wide to show for it all, although the Cat did well to tip a Bingham free kick wide in the 22nd minute.
Five minutes later and we should have taken the lead. Some good pressing play on the right saw Robbo find Keigan and after cutting in his cross was only partially headed clear as the defender was challenged by Ferry. The ball came out to Mixu for a clean header but he could only direct it into Brown's hands when it seemed easier to score. Maxie was next up with a header going wide whilst Christie shot over the bar at the other end after a good break. He went off injured after that and Ritchie came on. Parker turned provider for our next shot and a knock down to Ferry saw the midfielder's shot go wide.
The game was still even with Caley content to hit us on the break. Ritchie had a good run down the right with Lovering struggling to get back but his shot was held. Then Malone, Ferry and Donnelly (who had a very quiet first 45) had shots saved, but the half closed with mix-ups galore in the Saints defence. Robbo conceded an easy corner, Maxie and Dods just couldn't link up and Lovering was just slow.
There was no sign of the traditional arse-kicking at half time and the second-half started quietly. Four minutes in and Bernard (yup he was playing apparently) linked with Robbo and Sid who cut in and had a shot saved. Then good play on the right by Parker saw a decent cross go in for Mixu to head goalwards only for Brown to save.
From that though ICT broke up the park and with the Saints defence static Bingham took the ball past Maxwell (who spend most of the time trying to claim offside) and put a low curving shot past the onrushing Cat to make it 1-0.
Saints tried to get back into the game but too often we were dawdling on the ball. Ferry was caught in possession several times, El Sid allowed himself to get crowded out and Bernard couldn't get forward. Even the Cat was starting to look nervous and in 57 minutes fluffed a passback from Lovering - luckily Dods blocked the resulting shot. Parker had a good run through on the hour but was pulled down by the Caley no 4 who picked up a yellow card. The cross into the box saw Saints down to 10 men as Dods went off for some stitches in a head wound - it didn't matter since the ball was easily cleared. Ferry went off in 62 minutes as Dods returned to be replaced by Chris Hay as Saints went for 3 up front.
We started to knock the ball about a bit more comfortably as the game opened up. Malone picked up a booking for a late tackle (although given the treatment he was getting throughout the game he did well to keep his temper). With 25 minutes left we nearly went two behind as Lovering's square ball in defence to Maxwell was intercepted by Bingham who shot over. But a minute later a throw-in from the right was flicked down by Mixu to El Sid. His shot was blocked but broke in the box to Parker who from 3 yards out and on his arse slotted the equaliser home.
Of course in an echo of last week's performance ICT were straight back up the park and forced a corner. It was cleared and with El Sid waking up he linked well with Parker and Bernard with a couple of lovely long passes to set the latter up to put a good cross in which was cut out. Another good break from defence saw Malone on the right put a great cross in to Parker but he headed over the bar. Then El Sid set up Mixu but the ball broke to Chris Hay whose low shot was deflected out. See we looked like we were back in control. How appearances can deceive. In 74 minutes an apparently simple break found Bingham setting up Hislop for a run down the right and through the middle with the Saints defence all over the place. One low drive later and the ball was in the net.
Still this is a good strong Saints side with plenty of spirit and character though. Bollocks it is. Saints proceeded to fall to pieces. Caley were happy to defend their lead but we were struggling to string two passes together. Parker and Sid linked well before Parker crossed to Hay but his header went over. The hopeless Lovering went off to be replaced by Baxter as Malone dropped to left back. Then just to round it off with 10 minutes to go Keigan cut into the box. He was caught and went down but got up to chase the ball - that wasn't enough for Mr Underhill and he booked Parker for diving. And you thought Billy Stark was joking when he talked about Keigan being victimised?
That was it in terms of action. Sure we huffed and puffed (Mixu especially) but the brick wall of Caley's defence kept the Saints wolves out. The worrying thing was that for all the wonderful experience on the park we just seemed to run out of ideas. Still apart from a couple of daft defensive errors we should have picked up a point today. but as I said, a point at home isn't good enough this season. Performance-wise, Tuesday's cup-tie will see some arses kicked.
MoM for me was Malone who just shaded Keigan for an excellent performance on the left. Otherwise only the Cat and Robbo came close to pass marks. Defensively we were a shambles, up front Mixu struggled and in the middle we badly missed Reilly whilst the big names just aren't turning it on - and no excuses about lack of fitness please. If they're not fit they shouldn't be in the side. At least Hay's introduction looked good and I'd go for a 4-3-3 formation midweek. Anything to keep the ball away from the defence.
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| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
| Clyde | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 7 |
| Ross County | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| Raith | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Falkirk | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Saints | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| Caley Thistle | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Queen of the South | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| St Mirren | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Ayr United | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Brechin | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
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