Saints
0 Dunfermline 0 League Table HereSaints
0 Dunfermline 0 League Table Here
Team :: Main,McQuillan,Il
Biscotti,O'Halloran,Weir,Kernaghan,McMahon,Kane,Roddy,Georgio,O'Neil
Subs :: McCluskey,Jenkinson,Connolly
Another game which seemed to mirror Saints season with plenty of chances in front of goal being lost thanks to a lack of finishing skills amongst the Saints strikers. Weir and Kane passed a late fitness test and made the starting line-up with fellow injury victim Paddy Connolly moving to the subs bench. With Attila suspended and Dasovic still injured El Luggino game a starting slot to Chief O'Halloran, playing him and Kane together in the central midfield of the 4-4-2 formation.
From the start Saints pushed forward despite having to deal with some unusual tactics from the Fife Inbreeds (they played the ball on the ground). Some things didn't change though with the Dunfermline defence seemingly intent on crippling Georgio.
The first half was almost totally dominated by Saints with the home side forcing a series of corners (I lost count after 10). Gerry McMahon caused several problems with his corners with Father Dougal coming close a couple of times with bulleting headers which Westwater did well to save. Even when the keeper could only palm away the shots though Saints strikers were still second to the ball leaving the home fans more and more frustrated.
The shots didn't all come from corners though with Chief O'Halloran forcing a good save from Westwater from 20 yards and Kane, O'Neil and Legend (with a brilliant off-target volley) all having a go. The midfield was well in control despite the efforts of referee Alan Freeland to forgive any sins committed by the Pars (including a nasty stamp on McMahons ankle which left the winger needing treatment!!). Saints also had a good claim for a penalty rejected as well when Thugger Robertson handled in the box. The ref waved away Saints claims even though the Pars player spent the next 5 minutes rubbing his arm (either to remove the sting or the dirty mark !!).
At the other end Main made things difficult when he missed a couple of crosses and the least said about his kicking today the better. But the Saints defence was in good form with both full-backs pushing forward and the central pairing of Weir and Father Dougal looking as solid as ever.
The second half followed the same pattern with the Pars coming more and more into the game and Saints tiring. This was especially apparent up front with Georgio fading from the game totally and attracting complaints from the home support - probably due to the lazy-bastard impersonation he seems intent on giving these days. Eventually he was replaced by Paddy Connolly who despite getting his arse kicked at least put some effort in. Jenko came on for the tiring (and booked for nothing) McMahon but to little effect although one good sign was the improvement in the second half of 'Fatboy' O'Neill who had several good runs at their defence.
Saints were almost caught at the end as the Pars decided to have an attack when Elbow Smith (who if he was in the Scotland team would surely ruin any FairPlay chances we'd have) hit the crossbar, but that was the only danger they caused.
Only other booking was for Jesus for questioning a linesmans decision. Overall it was a good performance from Saints but the lack of goals from the front men must be a real worry. MoM for me was Il Biscotti - when the rest were tiring in the second-half and seemingly willing to settle for the draw it was Biscuits who got stuck in. Saintee through and through.
Oh yes and the new scoreboard is wonderful. Still no clock on it though.
Remember to vote on todays ref Alan Freeland (Aberdeen) - send marks out of 10 to refvote@grange.demon.co.uk