Temple Of Saints - Getting Better

Scottish Premier League - 16/10/99

Jambos 1 Saints 1 League Table Here

Team : Main,McQ,Bollan,McCluskey,Danny,Dasovic,Kane,Chief,Nathan Georgio,Keyring
Subs : Ferguson,Del,Miguel,Pope,Messiah

There are some things you can rely on in football. One of the Wegie scum to win the league, Scumdee to smell etc. And of course having to pay a fortune to get into Tynecastle to watch a home side full of diving cheats whilst their manager throws a tantrum every time Saints get a decision their way. Which going by Alan Freeland today, doesn't happen too often as the arse in the middle decided to follow tradition and be a homer.

As expected, McCluskey and Danny lined up in the centre of defence. Georgio came on up front instead of Miguel whilst Del dropped to the bench as Keyring moved to the left and Chief to the right.

The game began with Saints leaving off from Tuesday night as a half asleep side let the Jambos attack with some nasty crosses coming over to test Main. Kane picked up the first booking for a late challenge on a Gorgie git (undeserved in my opinion) whilst Dasovic got a warning for some heavy tackles as the new prima donnas Cameron and McBoggan decided to go down any time someone came near them.

Saints were punished a minute later. Dasovic was caught in possession on the edge of his box. McBoggan broke free with the ball and a 20-yard volley was in the back of the net.

If we thought that would be the kick up the arse that the team deserved, we were so wrong. Passes went astray, McQ and Bollan were even more ineffective than on Tuesday night and Keyring and Chief suffered from a total reluctance to go beyond the halfway line. With Saints having to resort to a series of long balls there was no punch to the attack (although Georgio had a good break on the quarter hour mark).

There were some good points - Kane and Dasovic played well in midfield (although both were booked during the course of the game), Nathan ran his arse off and in defence both Danny and McCluskey looked solid enough. That was it for Saints for the first half although the Gorgie Gits failed to capitalise on any chances with only some high balls which Main dealt with easily. Dasovic saw a header go close and McQ picked up a stupid booking just before half-time after being beat for pace by Wales but that was it.

Second-half started in much the same way and was a fairly dull affair. That is until the hour mark when Nat King Goals lived up to his name. Pissed off with all the fannying about, he took the ball from Kane, beat three defenders and from 25 yards out let rip a cracking bending shot with beat Pousset in goal and sent the travelling support wild. Easily the best Saints goal so far this season.

After that we came to life a bit. 65 minutes gone and Nathan saw a low drive well saved by Pousset as Saints began to fight for every ball. With 20 minutes to go, McBoggan was stretchered off after catching his studs in the turf (not that that stopped Freeland giving the Gits the free kick).

St Sandy put on Del, Messiah and Miguel for Kane, Nathan (who also picked up a yellow) and Georgio (who tired towards the end). But there was no way through the Jambos defence. They had a chance to score 5 minutes from time but Main saved Naysmiths header well.

Overall it was a mixed performance from us. Some players had a good game, with my MoM Nick Dasovic, but guys like Chief, Bollan and McQ are struggling from a bad loss of form.

Still it was worth it to see Nathan's goal. Classic stuff.

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