Saints 4 HIVBees 0
Team ::
Main,McQuillan,Bollan,Dods,Kernaghan,Dasovic,O'Neil,McMahon,
Kane,Georgio,Lowndes
Subs :: Preston,Legend,Griffin
The King is dead (or at least might as well be) long live the King. Tonight could have been a disaster as Saints faced a HIVBees side that dumped the sheep in the last round, and after a weekend which has seen the club turned upside-down. But then again with a new boss to impress there was always the hope that things would finally gel - it just needed that last catalyst.
With a capacity crowd and a large cheer for new gaffer Sandy Clark from a loyal home support (somewhat ruined by the Hibs team running out at the same time), we finally got a clue as to what all this strange attacking football stuff was about. I mean he played 2 strikers (yup 2, not 1 and an attacking midfielder). And for new boy Nathan Lowndes (henceforth to be christened Son of Zorro), it was to be a home debut which guaranteed instant cult legend status. Suffice to say that for 50 grand we've got a striker who looks a lot sharper and keener than the much-hyped Paddy Connolly. And get this, he can score a goal or two as well.
Saints were never really in any danger in this tie. Straight from the kick-off they snatched the match by the scruff of its neck and only really relaxed slightly when the 4th goal went in. The match was a good end-to-end cup-tie with both teams playing attacking football. The difference was that Saints attacks actually managed to get more than 10 yards into the opposition half.
The first goal came after 12 minutes when a low drive in from the edge of the box was only parried by the dropsy HIVBee keeper into the path of the onrushing Son of Zorro who sidefooted the ball into the net. The second was even better as a mix-up in the Edinburgh defence was McMahon recover from a sandwich situation, get up on his feet and run forward with the ball. A quick one-two with Georgio and he was through on goal to slip the ball under Olly Ulrikasson (or whatever Dropsy is called).
By the half-hour the game was over as a contest with one of the best goals seen at McD for a long time. A long crossfield pass found Son of Zorro who ran to the bye-line then cut back inside his marker before firing a beautiful curving volley into the far corner of the net - sheer bloody poetry.
The second-half was a much quieter affair with the only goal coming from an O'Neil lob past the outrushing keeper. After that it died down apart from the usual off the ball incidents which led to McQ being taken off for stitches to a head wound which then kept on breaking open before Sandy (can I call him that?) replaced him with Danny. Legend came on for the tiring but effective Georgio whilst Biscuits replaced Dasovic who took several heavy knocks during the course of the match. There was also an innocuous yellow card dished out to McMahon for a tackle from behind but given what McGinlay, Guggi and Rougier escaped with it seemed harsh.
Overall an excellent start for the new boss. Main had little to do with Dods playing out of his skin and Fatty Father Dougal having a fairly quiet time. Dasovic and McMahon ran their arses off although there is still a question mark over Del and Kane. Up front Georgio played well but Lowndes was easily the MoM if only for his second goal which deserved to win the tie on its own.
Oh yes and one final thing. Sandy Clark waves to the East Stand when we shout on him to - a change from the dour dull Judas. And who can complain about a 4-0 win when there wasnt a 'lucky' overcoat / rabbits foot in sight.
Remember to vote on todays ref - Willie Young (Clarkston) send marks out of 10 to refvote@grange.demon.co.uk