Temple Of Saints - Crap

Scottish Premier League - 17/04/99

Struggling Saints 0 Gorgie GBH Boys 0 League Table Here

Team :: Jesus,Weir,Blaster,Forrest Gump,Father Dougal,Dassa,Kano, Del,Keyring,Legend,Miguel
Subs :: Lowndes,Chief,Danny,Il Biscotti,Dolph

Well you would have thought that after last weeks gubbing, St. Sandy would have pointed out to the players that there was still a lot to play for. Indeed Kane was in the papers saying how he thought that 3rd in the league should get the Euro slot. It's a real pity to report then that based on today's performance the midfielder obviously believes that Killie have it all sewn up.

No beating about the bush here - we were damn lucky to get a draw. No matter how bad it got for us, the Gorgie 10 and their HIVBee striker were by far the hungrier team for the 90 minutes. Any more performances like that and we'll be lucky to qualify for a bloody pre-season friendly.

Del made the starting line-up at the expense of Chief whilst injury kept Pope out of the team and allowed Eusebio a well deserved starting slot. McQ is still injured so Cap'n Jim lined up at right-back. For the Gorgie Gits, the Totten Falkirk Youth Policy (also known as Kevin James alias Public Enemy No. 1 at 4.45) got his first start.

We looked sharp enough early on with the team forcing their way forward and putting James and Ritchie under some pressure. Keyring on the left and Eusebio on the right caused some problems and it was the latter who cut back to Kano on the edge of the box. But the midfielder with his only positive effort of the day saw a poor shot saved by the Gorgie Frog. Even then we still had some chances although they were few and far between in what was a scrappy match. Dods saw a shot well-saved and Keyring and Roddy had efforts to no avail as the Gorgie Gits height was used to their advantage in the box.

It was also used at the other end in the most controversial moment of the first half. They took a corner and Main came out to clear the ball only to be..nope no other way to put it... taken out by James. Never mind the fact we had a man down hurt Young never even gave the fucking foul (aided and abetted by the arse of a linesman). It looked like all-out war would start as both Blaster and the Legend seemed set to kick James' head in (and the big Bairn was restrained by Adam from retaliation). After several worrying minutes, Jesus got to his feet but with Father Dougal taking all the kicks, there is no way he should have continued then - as it was Dolph replaced him for the second 45.

Still it was nice to see the Saints supporters unite behind their team as James was booed for the rest of his time on the field (which was cut short in the 2nd half as he tripped over his own knuckles and was stretchered off). You can call it bad sportsmanship but I joined all the Saints fans in a chant of Cheerio, Cheerio as he was carried off.

Second half saw Dolph prove that we have more than adequate cover for the keeper position as he made 3 or 4 excellent saves from long-range efforts as Saints struggled to contain the Jambos attack. To be frank it was almost a repeat of the TFOD semi as time and time again the Saints midfield was posted missing. Keyring was doing a lot of work on the left and is combining well with Bollan but yet again Dasovic and Kane were both shite. Del looks badly short of match practice so can perhaps be forgiven but IMHO Kane especially should no longer be an automatic first choice. Too often he was too slow to react to a loose ball or to cover an unmarked tink. And as for Dassa - if he is carrying an injury drop him. Danny can more than cover for Dasovic in his current state.

Still at least the defence were on form with both Father Dougal and Forrest Gump having good games with the latter probably MoM. St. Sandy eventually replaced Del with Chief who proved that he is a grafter if nothing else by time and time again covering for the central midfield mistakes. Up front Legend was getting no joy from Pressley the Mountaineer and although Eusebio has the ability there is no was he can carry the forward line on his own.

Indeed it was only in the last 10 minutes or so when the Legend was replaced by Kid Goals that the Saints attack looked even slightly dangerous. Keyring had a couple of poor shots and Lowndes set up the best Saints chance when his cross was shot against the bar by Miguel when it looked simpler to head the ball in. Still there was entertainment at the other end when Darren 'still a HIVBee' Jackson missed an absolute sitter. Going by the reactions of the Gorgie Gits behind the goal he will not be accepted by their support for a long time. So we got the third draw of the season against these tinks.

Yet another match that most of us expected a win from to keep the pressure on at the top. And with only 3 days until the next crunch match St. Sandy has his work cut out. Personally I'd drop Kane and put Roddy in central midfield with Eusebio and Kid Goals up front. At least then the fitba might get sexy once more.

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