Motherwell 0 Gloriously Rampant Saints 1
Team ::
Main,McQuillan,Davison,Attila,Weir,McCluskey,Scott,O'Halloran,Grant,Georgio,Jenko
Subs :: Preston,Kane,Ferguson
Welcome to the top of the Premier league courtesy of one of Roddys classic goals and some good defending against a cheating Motherwell side and the by-now legendary ref Mike (Ibrox) McCurry from Wegieland. With Danny on international duty, Stuart McCluskey made his Premier debut and with Dino and Jenko both recovering from knocks, the only real surprise was Fergie on the bench - more of that later.
Saints started poorly with the game being played at a very fast pace. Altho not under any major threat for the first half (Main only had to make one good save), due to excellent defending especially from Weir and Davison. However with the wonderfully consistent refereeing this season, the match was only 10 mins old when Saints had 2 players in the book - Davison for a rough challenge (altho a first offence) and Scott for some stupid retaliation. With his usual skill McCurry managed to totally ignore the offences of the 'Well defenders - suffice to say Georgios shirt was 3 sizes larger by full-time.
After half-an hour though Saints began to press back into the game with some good passing moves on the wings and Scott doing a power of work in the midfield ('A Rolls-Royce in a field of Ladas' according to Bob Crampsey). But Motherwell defended in numbers and Saints always seemed to miss the las pass. There was also added problems when Jenko pulled up after a left-wing run with what looked like a groin strain - cue his removal and replacement by Biscuits.
The second-half started in much the same way but with the Saints support starting to get behind their team Saints suddenly upped the pace. Some good moves on the left-wing saw Preston put some good crosses in which caused some trouble in the 'Well defence. Saints won several corners in a row but to no avail although it did their confidence a world of good. However Motherwell had several good chances and with Tommy Coyne on for Mario 'Crappo' Dorner (remember him?), Main was forced to make some excellent saves which if he'd been playing for a west coast team would no doubt have ensured his international call-up by now.
The goal when it came was a classic attacking move with Phizzy and Georgio moving up through the middle before sending the ball to Preston on the left who cut it back for the oncoming Legend to rocket home. Nice to see some proper celebrations from the guys as well. With 25 mins left on the clock both teams upped the pace again. Saints were on top now and with some good moves on the right from O'Halloran and Georgio, and a shot from McQ which was only just deflected, we all expected a second to arrive. Motherwells defenders were resorting to blatant fouling tactics with the result that 4 of their arseholes were yellow-carded and some were lucky to stay on the park.
Saints were tiring up front and Luggy brought on Kane and Fergie for O'Halloran and the Legend. Motherwell pressed forward and the last 5 mins saw Saints defending for the most part with Weir ending up in McCurrys book. Up front we were struggling though with Fergie living up to all his earlier promise of being shit and whats worse a liability - too often IMHO he gave the ball away to allow Motherwell to counter-attack.
Still we held on for a deserved win. MoM for me was Phizzy for his runs
up the middle and Main for 3 world-class saves.
Oh yes - and we're
now top of the league. Eat shit McLeish.