Saints 0 Leicester 2
Team : Cuthbert, Trialist (Tait), Forsyth, Hannah,
Trialist (Chris McLeod), Maxwell, Marshall, Foxy, McConalogue, Moore,
Malone
Subs : Nelson, Hay, Fraser, Baxter, Webb, Stevenson
This was more like it. Back to the sacred home to see the debut of the new-look Saints side take on the Foxes complete with Dublin, Gillespie and friends. Unfortunately the pre-season campaign wasn't rounded off with a win with Leicester comfortable winners in an entertaining game. And at least there were enough signs to show that the new signings are fitting in well in time for the big kick-off next week.
With several players still recovering from the midweek not-so-friendly against every Chav's favourite side, Livingston, it wasn't an ideal first- choice lineup for Saints. But we did have two trialists in the side Jordan Tait at right-back and Chris McLeod (ex-Rangers) at centre-half. McConalogue and Moore continued their partnership up front whilst Malone and Foxy got a chance at midfield alongside the recovered Hannah.
The pitch was in excellent condition which unfortunately is more than could be said for the weather with a blustery wind for the 90 minutes. Still, the game got off to an even start with the first minute seeing a decent McConalogue cross saved by Walker. Another cross a minute later was only just cleared from Moore's feet for a corner. The friendly nature almost went out the window five minutes later when a late challenge by Moore on Dublin saw the Leicester striker dish out the verbals. Luckily, Rowbotham, looking trendy in his Persil-white referee's kit was there to calm things down.
The game itself was pretty even. Saints looked a bit weaker down the right with Tait and Marshall not really linking that well. However the second trialist (looked like a teenager in the centre of defence) had a much better game and was distributing the ball well, as well as winning several challenges with man-mountain Dion Dublin. Maxwell, too, was having a good game including a great clearance off a suspiciously offside-looking Connolly. Hannah and Skinhead Foxy were solid enough in midfield and on the left Eddie and Flash were excellent up against the bookie's favourite Gillespie.
Leicester were beginning to get into the game more now and almost took the lead in the 19th minute after Foxy gave away possession in the middle of the park allowing the Foxes to run through on goal and force Cuthbert into a good save. But four minutes after that, there was little the Saints keeper could do when, after the defence failed to clear their lines, Leicester pressed and set up Scowcroft for a shot just inside the box. The ball seemed to take a deflection on the way past two defenders and the goalie - either way we were 1-0 down.
Saints were making the odd chance - Hannah had a good long-range effort saved by Walker and after getting onto the end of a long crossfield pass, Eddie showed brilliant skill on the left wing, to dummy his marker and lay the ball off for Stef McConalogue but his shot went wide. Hannah had another good shot held after McConalogue won a freekick before Leicester almost increased their lead when Connolly's shot was tipped wide by the Cat. Four minutes from the break Moore, who'd had a quiet game by his standards came close with a header just wide of the post from a Tait cross.
Half-time saw Fraser come on for Foxy. It didn't help to liven up what was becoming a scrappy affair though with chances limited for both sides. Having said that the game was entertaining enough and the youngster had another good mature performance.
Saints made their second substitution in 55 minutes with McConalogue replaced by Hay who to be frank doesn't look as though he'll ever be fit enough to last 90 minutes. And a minute later a through ball at the other end saw Connolly fire a cracking angled volley that Cuthbert did well to hold. Saints weren't to be outdone though and a minute later Moore set up Hannah for a good long-range shot which was held. The attempt did cause some panic in the crowded main stand as it left Moore needing treatment for a knock picked up when he made the pass - shades of the Iain Ferguson injury a few pre-seasons ago. Stevenson came on for Swampy on the hour mark and within 60 seconds we had gone two behind. Saints had a corner cleared and Leicester broke up the park, setting Connolly up on a run. He suckered in two defenders as Saints got players back into the box, before simply squaring the ball to Dublin whose fine finish stuck the ball into the roof of the net to make it 2-0.
Saints tried to get back into the game but the best we could manage was a series of corners with the best chance coming from a back post Maxwell volley that was deflected wide by Hay! Baxter came on for Moore in 72 minutes and he moved to right midfield with Ryan going up front. A minute later Ryan had a low drive deflected out for a corner. From it, Hannah flicked the ball down for Stevenson but his blaster of a drive went over the bar and didn't stop until it hit the back of the Ormond stand. Baxter, Hay and even Flash had half-chances in the last ten minutes. The final effort also fell to Chris who had a great run into the box only halted by a brilliant tackle.
Overall the result doesn't really matter in games like this and Leicester were always the stronger team. However there wasn't much to criticise in Saints' performance either. The right side did look weak but Tait improved when Stevenson and Baxter came on. McLeod looked very confident on the ball and could be worth a deal. As for the left it was good to see Flash (my MoM) and Eddie (my almost-MoM) both play well especially given the latter's uncertainty about his future.
Right - fake stuff is over. Time for the real fun!