Saints 2 Forces Of Darkness 0 League
Table Here
Team ::
Main,McQuillan,Davison,Dasovic,Weir,Kernaghan,Scott,O'Neill,Kane,Georgio,Il
Biscotti
Subs :: McCluskey,Jenko,Roddy
At last the hoodoos broken, TFOD are left in tatters and we can look forward to the Glorious Dawn of a new Force in Scottish Football. Well maybe not quite but make no mistake this was a convincing Saints win over an all-star TFOD side featuring the Danish Diver, the Fat Geordie, the Mafia hitman and the South African... (removed for legal reasons). Oh yes and the Flying Turd in goal (as one wit called it).
To be honest its not quite sunk in yet and no doubt I'll be going about with a massive smirk on my face for days, nay weeks to come. This makes the Celtic win last month look like a 0-0 Partick match by comparison. Hell, the omens were good when Il Biscotti and Jenko exchanged passes after the Welsh Wing Wizard replaced the injured Davison (after and assassination attempt by Gattuso) early in the first half.
For the most part the game was fairly even with Saints still managing to
show some early nerves - usual story of 2 players going for the same ball
and both missing - step forward Kane and Phizzy. Even the defence looked
shaky with some panicky clearances instead of creative passing being the
order of the day. Still with the realisation that TFOD were actually
pretty crap when they got the ball, Saints began to come more and more
into the match and forced several corners.
We took the lead on the half-hour when Jenko crossed from the right. The ball was cleared and Kernaghan dummied it excellently for the onrushing Del O'Neil who buried his shot past the Flying Turd in his bottom right corner of the net to send the home fans mental and totally silence the travelling hordes (who had hardly made a noise all afternoon anyway).
The rest of the first half was spent on the defensive although the midfield trio of Dasovic, Kane and Scott were making some progress with the latter especially looking 100% improved on recent performances. Both Weir and Father Dougal were called on to make clearances and Main had another world-class save before half-time.
Second-half started with TFOD being the livelier side and pressuring the Saints defence heavily until the hour mark, but with little to show for their efforts except some more world-class saves from Jesus. Even the introduction of the Fat Geordie and some unknown for Albertz and Ferguson made little difference. In fact it was Saints who had the best chance to increase their lead when McQ broke down the right wing (showing why TFOD will have to pay a fortune for a decent left-back) and sending a low ball across the goalmouth which Georgio somehow conspired to blast wide of an open goal.
Still he got his reward later (after Phizzy had hesitated and missed another chance to put Saints further ahead). Jenko sent in a cross from the left which was knocked across the goal. The ball fell to Father Dougal looking lost on the right wing. He sent a low cross back into the goal for Georgio to get on the end of and send the team, fans, El Luggino and even the Saints doctor into delirium.
After that there was no way back for Wegielands favourites, although the South African.... came close with some headers and Durie (who apparently wants to be a ref when he grows up) had a shot go wide. Even the Fat Geordie didnt get it his own way with Dasovic proving that he was by far the better player on the day.
The introduction of Legend for Georgio (who was nursing a hamstring injury) was made late on to the usual non-effect. Still by then it was all over.
MoM for me was Dasovic although to be frank there wasnt a duff player in a Saints top - Jenko and Phizzy both looked world-class and even Jim Weir showed some pace occassionally. Credit to Jim McCluskey as well - despite missing some nasty off the ball nudges and tackles he managed to get through the entire game without showing a card.
Remember to vote on todays ref Jim McCluskey (Stewarton) - send marks out of 10 to refvote@grange.demon.co.uk