Temple Of Saints - Cheating Tinks

Scottish Premier League - 12/12/98

Saints 1 Cheating Timewasting Tinks 1 League Table Here

Team :: Main,McQuillan,Bollan,Dods,Kernaghan,Dasovic,O'Neil,Scott,Kane,Paddy,Nathan
Subs :: Legend,McMahon,Griffin,Simao,Robertson

OK, last Saturday was tolerable and midweek we'll put down to bad luck but this is the third game in a row where Saints have totally dominated the match and still only come out of it with a solitary point. St. Sandy was true to his word and played a new front pairing of Nat King Goals and old Mystery Man Paddy Connolly himself up front whilst Legend and Miguel dropped to the bench and Keyring out of the squad. With over 6000 taking advantage of the reduced admission prices and Scumdee playing the hacking cheating Polack in midfield it seemed that there was more than enough incentive for the boys to put one over on the Tinks.

The first 20 minutes were fairly scrappy with Saints midfield struggling to make any sort of impression. While the defence was solid enough in front of a non-existent Scumdee attack (with Main having even less to do than normal), PaddyC and Nathan started to make some penetrating runs into their opponents goal. Shots came from Phizzy (wide as usual), Nathan, Paddy, Del, Kane - in fact everyone apart from Main. Whilst most caused little problem the Scumdee international-call-up-awaits-deluded keeper was forced into some good saves. Of course the tinks couldn't help but show off their sporting style of play with hacks on Del and Dasovic and constant attempts to play the offside trap or, in the case of OAP Irvine, dive to the ground if a Saints player came within 15 feet of them (it was probably some sort of genetic reaction to the smell of deodorant).

In the middle there was the Chief Cheat, a git who makes Cheeky Chic Charnley seem like an angel. Yup the Polack was up to his usual two-footed sliding hacks along with an eagerness to use the elbow on several occassions. Not that the ref noticed of course, but more on Mr Underhill later.

At half-time Jocky Scott put on 2 subs with Grady (whose only contribution to the good of Scottish football this season has been to beat the Arabs) replacing Annand and one crap defender for another. Still Saints pressed on and began to make some good chances.

There was the claim for a penalty when Del was brought down in the box - easily the most blatant foul of the last 3 games - but the ref decided that we've had our 1998-99 SPL Penalty Quota in the last week so ignored the claim. Then the best chance of the match so far saw Paddy Connolly break down the right. He got into the box only to see his shot saved, and Nathan miss the rebound. As usual you could have almost predicted what would happen next.

Despite the tinks not having had a single attack in the second half, 75 minutes saw them break from their own penalty area. With Saints pressing forward, it was left to Bollan to stop the cheating Pole. He didn't and despite McQs best effort at getting back, the git rounded Main to put the tinks ahead. St. Sandy put on Legend and Miguel for Paddy and Nathan then Gerry for the totally shite Scott. Saints seemed to finally step up a gear although to be honest it never looked like we were going to score. How wrong can you be.

With 5 minutes to go and the tinks resorting to every single fouling, cheating, timewasting trick in the book, Saints won a free-kick 25 yards out. Bollan, Kane and McQ grouped around the ball before Kane played a short square ball to Bollan. The only Saints outfield player not to score this season let fly with one of the hardest shots I've seen in a long time and before any of the tinks could stop picking their scabs long enough to react the ball was in the net.

After that there were still chances to be had. Bollan had a similar shot saved whilst Miguel and Del both came close before Mr Underhill decided that we might win and blew the final whistle. Not before Scumdee defender Willie Miller was red-carded for a very late challenge on Bollan and arguing with the ref afterwards.

Overall, apart from the final finish we were in complete control. Douglas will no doubt earn the plaudits of the Chic the Pric media since he plainly got the tinks their point. MoM for me was Del O'Neil - his attacking moves in the second half were a joy. Special mention to for PaddyC - he looked sharp and hungry for a first team slot. There was only one booking for Saints - Nathan for being a Saintee.

Remember to vote on todays ref John Hunderhill (Edinburgh)- send marks out of 10 to refvote@grange.demon.co.uk

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