Saints 4 QoS 1 League Table Here
Team : Cuthbert, Robertson, Flash, Donnelly, Dods,
Maxwell, Parker, Reilly, Mixu, Fotheringham, Bernard
Subs : Nelson,McCluskey,Baxter,Stevenson, Malone
Well that's it - if nothing else today should get some fans back into the ground and send out a big warning to the rest of the division that Saints are out to win the title. An excellent all-round performance, some sexy football at times and four good goals to kill off a decent Queen of the South side made for a nice sunny afternoon at McDiarmid. With McLaughlin out, Paul Bernard came in at the left side of midfield with Simon "El Sid" Donnelly shifting to the right wing and getting a starting jersey ahead of the benched Ryan Stevenson. Apart from that it was the same side that survived the extra-time at Accies last week.
There was a good atmosphere in the stands (with the East Stand practically full) ahead of kick-off and within 10 seconds of the start Parker made his intentions clear with a good run through the middle which ended in a free kick. Foxy took the shot and his effort curved round the wall but was easily held. Two minutes in and Robbo was fouled on the right. Foxy took the kick again and crossed it into the box where Maxwell's close-range header at the back post was palmed away. From the corner Mixu headed against the bar and then a Maxie follow-up header was cleared off the line. Needless to say that got the home support going.
The Doonhamers had an effort in the fifth minute when Bowey threatened with a long-range shot which took a nasty deflection and was saved by the Cat. Saints were dominating the game although lacking real control of the midfield with players closed down too quickly. We next came close to taking the lead in the 9th minute when a Forsyth cross from the left saw Mixu's header saved and then Parker just miss out on the follow-up. Saints were pressing well, but playing a patient game with a slow build up. It almost cost us dear in 15 minutes when Queen of the South broke down the left. Maxwell got over to cover and close the winger down but his tackle wasn't 100% successful and the ball was crossed past the outrushing Cuthbert - luckily Flash was in the 6 yard box to clear the ball away from the open goal.
But two minutes later all was right. Parker had a run and laid the ball back to Flash on the left wing. He sent a high floating cross into the box where Mixu rose to challenge the keeper. He missed the ball but the goalie also managed to drop it into the path of El Sid. He hit a first time shot across goal which looked set to go just wide but Foxy was in the 6 yard box to tap it home for 1-0. And five minutes later we doubled the lead when a Dods ball was cleared from defence and was flicked on by Mixu into the path of Parker. He out paced the defence and ran towards goal. Another low 18 yard drive later and the ball was in the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-0.
From then on we were never in any danger of losing the game and started to take control. Dods had a header well saved a few minutes later and then on the half-hour mark a low Parker cross saw Mixu turn in the box but the defence cleared the danger. A Foxy free kick 3 minutes after that saw Maxwell have a header go over the bar and then in 37 minutes Flash was involved in some cracking link play with Mixu and Reilly into the box before the defence cut it out with a real suspicion of handball. Queen of the South had a free-kick from edge of the box go over the bar and then at the other end a Saints corner saw Mixu head the ball over the bar.
The second period started with El Sid and Bernard switching wings. Four minutes into the half Robbo had a run up the right and his cross almost went in. Saints seemed to take their foot off the pedal a bit but Parker managed to force a couple of corners and was unfairly ruled to be offside when he got on the end of a long Dods clearance after Forrest Gump showed his ball skills in clearing the ball. But on the hour mark we managed to increase the lead when Mixu flicked the ball through to Parker who ran up the right in the box. He took his time and rounded the defenders before letting rip with a cracking shot from 8 yards out which cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.
But just as we expected a goalrush to kick off within 4 minutes the Doonhamers were back in the game. Some poor defensive play where we allowed ourselves to be closed down in the centre of the park. The ball eventually broke clear but only as far as Bowey and from the edge of the box he sent a curling shot past the Cat to make it 3-1.
Stark put Baxter on for Foxy with Bernard switching to the centre of midfield and El Sid to the left. Saints were still in control but seemed hungrier to restore their lead. Flash on the left had a neat chip into the box in 72 minutes which found El Sid but he was crowded out by a pair of defenders. Then a Robbo cross three minutes later for Mixu whose header was saved.
Seven minutes from time and Parker was replaced by Malone which allowed El Sid to move up front. Within a minute Malone linked well with Donnelly. And then he won a corner 5 minutes from time. Donnelly took the kick and sent the ball over to the back post where Maxie rose to power a header towards the goal, with Malone getting the last touch to tap the ball into the net and make it 4-1. Even then the action wasn't over. Flash and Malone linked well on the left with the ball ending up with Eddie on the byeline and his cross was headed inches over by Mixu.
MoM for me was Keigan for a couple of cracking goals and some good running. But to be honest we didn't really have a weak link in the side although El Sid struggled for fitness towards the end. Defensively we looked solid and when you realise that today's side was missing Hay, Peaso, McLaughlin, Lovering, Paddy things are looking very rosy indeed.
Top of the league next week then please?
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| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
| Ross County | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Saints | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Clyde | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Falkirk | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| St Mirren | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Raith | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Caley Thistle | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Ayr United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Queen of the South | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Brechin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
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