(where
you can also see the exclusive pics)Ross County 0 Saints 2...with thanks for the
match report to Steven Burns at (where
you can also see the exclusive pics)
Team :: Ferguson, McQuillan, Preston, Dasovic, Dods,
Griffin, Scott, McAnespie, O'Boyle, O'Neil
Subs :: Robertson, Kane, Bollan, Whiteford, Grant
A late George O’Boyle double, gave St.Johnstone a winning finale to their Highland tour of ’98 against third division outfit, Ross County, and also gave Saints a victory in their away strip, for the very first, and last time. The win maintained Saints 100% record on the tour which also included matches against Rothes, Elgin and Brora Rangers. Saints fielded a close to full strength team, with O’Boyle and McAnespie in attack with a midfield four-some of Dasovic, Scott, McMahon and O’Neil. The defence was made up of McQuillan, Dods, Griffin and Alan Preston. A fairly healthy travelling support (compared to Brora) made the long journey from Perth.
Like the weather, the game was dull from the start. Saints didn’t look too hungry, and Ross County were just defending in depth, playing a lone striker, who Dods and Griffin easily took care of. Saints however, showed little in the way of attacking flair. McMahon was guilty on many an occasion, when he failed to beat his man, or when he did, he would deliver a poor cross. Maybe Martin Nash wouldn’t be too bad after all. On the other side O’Neil did his best to try and make an impression in the game, again without much success. He did create Saints only opening of the half though, as he found space at the edge of the box, but fired weakly at Nicky ‘Buffon’ Walker. O’Neil was also denied what looked a stonewall penalty, when he was tripped in the penalty area, but the referee (Kevin Blisset I think?) wasn’t impressed and waved play-on. This was about as exciting as the half got.
Second half wasn’t much better though. Indeed, the most exciting part was watching the Saints fans run for the cover of the stand, as the rain started to thrash down on the uncovered terrace behind the goal. Saints made two substitutions at half-time. Philip Scott made way for Paul Kane, and Allan Ferguson was replaced by sub keeper Steven Robertson. Ferguson had been untested in the first half, and all Robertson had to do was catch a few crosses and make a few runs off his line. O’Neil was also moved to center forward, with McAnespie moving out to the left wing. However, but for a McMahon shot which was parried by the keeper, and a Kane shot which caused more damage to pedestrians in the street behind the ground, than Ross County’s goals against column, Saints failed to create anything to trouble County. That was until….
The Legend arrived (or if you go by the County PA announcer, Gary Bolan) Immediately he was playing one-two’s with O’Boyle, and challenging in the air. A few minutes later, a piece of magic from O’Boyle, unseen in the previous 75 minutes, gave Saints a 1-0 lead as he let rip from 25 yards into the far corner. Once again the game took a dip in it’s standard, as Saints seemed content to finish the game with the one goal. In this time, Dasovic slipped on the wet turf and limped off five minutes later with an ankle injury. Touch wood, it didn’t look too bad. Saints did manage to get another goal though. The best move of the game, with Roddy, O’Boyle and Preston all combining to create the opportunity for O’Boyle to place a header past the helpless Walker. Preston found space on the left, delivered a beauty of a cross, and the unmarked O’Boyle couldn’t miss from six yards.
MOTM for me was Danny Griffin, who as well as not putting a foot wrong, delivered some brilliant passes in behind the defence for the wingers to run onto. Dods beside him was also impressive, and he will be an important player for Saints until Christmas. I don’t think he’ll keep Weir or Kernaghan out the team, but he looks a solid, reliable defender. In midfield, Dasovic looks good, as does Kane. Philip Scott was looking better today, but he is still recovering from injury, and O’Neil will be a good utility player, if nothing else next year. However questions must be raised over Gerry McMahon, who has failed to impress in either game he has played so far. The white boots might make him stand out, but at the moment, they’re the only thing dazzling about his performances. Up-front, O’Boyle has looked lazy, but when he wants to do something he seems to do it, and he’s still a class act. Roddy doesn’t look bad, but maybe a place on the bench is his best bet this year. He’s still capable of a few goals though. McAnespie hasn’t done anything brilliant, but hasn’t done anything bad either. He seemed to struggle to hold the ball up, something which should improve once he gets some upper body strength. Bolan and Preston look solid on the left, and I’ll be very surprised if they both don’t play against Motherwell.
From a wet Scottish summer, its goodbye, until August the 1st, when Saints play Motherwell at Fir Park in the first game of the new Scottish Premiership.