Dunfermline 0 Saints 1 League Table Here
Team ::
Main,McQuillan,Davison,Dasovic,Kernaghan,Weir,Scott,Wright,Kane,Roddy,Preston
Subs :: Griffin,Andersson,Jenko
Georgio failed a fitness test this morning and missed out on the 'local' derby against a side we've failed to beat this season. McCluskeys hamstring injury also kept him out and John McQuillan resumed his traditional right back position.
To say the conditions were appalling would be one of the understatements of the season as both teams had to cope with swirling gale-force winds and driving rain and sleet. Congratulations also to the Pars for making the Saints support feel so welcome by allowing the seated enclosure to become dangerously overcrowded and waiting till 3.05 before allowing the overspill into the main stand. Dont you just love the health and safety regulations?
As for the game itself there wasn't too much skill on display although credit for Saints for at least making a token gesture towards keeping the ball on the ground for most of the game.
Saints goal came after 7 minutes in bizarre circumstances as Kane bore down on the Pars goalmouth. He lets loose a weak shot only for Dave Barnett (or Thug as we like to know him), to connect and sent a high pass-back past the flailing Westwater and into the net. Like I said, bizarre.
For the rest of the first half Saints enjoyed most of the possession and with Kane, Preston, Roddy and Scott we had several chances to increase the lead. At the other end the Pars were pretty ineffective (even allowing for them kicking against the wind), with Weir and Kernaghan managing to deal comfortably with the high balls sent their way and McQ and Davison finding plenty of opportunities to push forward.
The only other moment of controversy came as Saints broke up the park towards the end of the half. With the Legendary Outlet running through the middle on his own having beaten the offside trap, he was brought down by the onrushing Westwater with a blatant professional foul. With Saints fans crying out for a red card, thanks to Westwater being last man, referee Alan Freeland produced only the yellow and awarded a free kick outside the box. One has to question how much the refs are unwilling to send off a keeper for a professional foul knowing that the team don't have a substitute keeper on the bench?
The second-half saw Dunfermline playing with the wind behind them but for the most part this just meant that their long balls went straight to Main (although the latter didn't make things easier by rolling the ball across the goalmouth in hurricane winds). As they became more desperate so the challenges began to fall into the typical derby pattern, with Roddy and Wolf coming in for a lot of attention from Barnett and McCulloch. Roddy became the first player to be booked for Saints when he retaliated once too often although it was more than justified.
With Roddy limping after several rough tackles he was replaced by new signing Mr T. Saints began to come more into the game again and Kane and Scott both had good chances. Andersson doesn't look to be the fastest of players but he was able to get into some good positions and came close with a couple of shots.
Overall not a bad game considering the conditions but again it was a defender who was MoM for me - step forward Jim 'Simmit' Weir who kindly donated his shirt to the freezing Saints support at the end of the game. Still at least he got a hug from Georgio who just couldnt keep off the park. As for the Great Striker Search of 97, both Wright and Mr T look to be good signings although its still too early to tell for the latter.
By the way does anyone else think that Sammy the Pars mascot was asking for a dousing in petrol and being set alight ceremony to be performed on him? And as for the strange ritual with the ballboys at the start......
Remember to vote on todays ref Alan Freeland (Aberdeen) - send marks out of 10 to refvote@grange.demon.co.uk