Hibs 1 Saints 1
Team ::
Main,McQuillan,Davidson,Attila,Kernaghan,Griffin,O'Halloran,O'Neil,Grant,Farquhar,Jenkinson
Subs :: McCluskey,Preston,Tosh
Well for the second week in a row Saints had to field a makeshift side with Scott and O'Boyle missing and Farquhar making an unaccustomed start at no 10 and Jenko and Roddy returning to the side.
Still some things never change and Saints found themselves a goal behind after only 2 minutes when Rougier beat Davidson on the right and sent a cross over for Crawford to head home with Saints central defence posted missing. But all credit to the lads they fought back well and forced the Hibs Icelandic keeper into a good save when Attila tried a volley from the edge of the box. But justice was done on the 1/4 hour mark when O'Neil won a tussle with Saintees favourite Charnley to square the ball to Farquhar who sent a rocket into the top of the net from 20 yards to make it 1-1. And it had the added benefit of shutting up the screeching brats in the upper tier of the stand (and to think we paid 14 quid to hear those brats???).
Just as Saints were fighting their way back into the game with Main making an excellent save from Crawford on the left, a cross into the box came off Dannys hand to concede a penalty. Still justice was done as McGinlays shot came off Main's right-hand post to keep the scored even. Saints were fighting their way back into the game now and were well on top with Farquhar and ONeill playing out their skins. We forced a few corners to allow Jenko to try and make some impactm but it was to no avail. Hibs meanwhile were adopting the usual Duffy tactics of hacking and getting away with it and indulging in foul throws and stealing yards in the best Ibrox tradition. However it was Dodds of Hibs that went into Heralds book first for persistent fouling but he was soon followed by Roddy who pulled one shirt too many.
The second half was much the same with Hibs probably having the better of the chances but failing to capitalise on them. Saints pressed forward as much as possible but seem to be suffering from not getting 100% from all the team with Attila and Jenko both guilty of farting about too much on the park.
Still we had chances with Roddy and Farquhar both coming close with headers although Main probably kept us in the game with a series of great saves including a 1 on 1 with McGinlay which saw both players needing treatment. El Luggino confounded all the tacticians amongst the Saints fans towards the end when he took our best player Farquhar off and brought on Preston, but for some strange reason left Attila and the ineffectual Jenko on the pitch. Added to that Dinos strange desire to donate his shirt at the final whistle to the Hibee supporters and it all amounted to a weird day out.
Bookings for Grant, McQuillan (foul on Harper) and Attila (throwing the ball away). Farquhar was MoM for me but mentions for Main, Kernaghan and Davidson. Still at least we remain unbeaten away from home !!!
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