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An experienced team were fielded today and it was relfected in the performance. Saints fired out of their traps with great intent and were inches away from the perfect start in the opening minute. Bernard started the offence inside the Saint’s half, Mark Robertson, Mixu and then Donnelly were involved before Donnelly slid the ball into the path of the overlapping John Robertson, his shot was perfectly struck and only inches wide. 3 minutes later, Forsyth was attacking up the opposite flank. His cross ball was flicked on by Mixu to Bernard. The midfielder was showing no evidence of ailments, and released a brilliant volley which had everything bar the correct coordinates and whistled past the right hand post. In the seventh minute, a long clearance by Cuthbert was flicked on by Mixu into the path of Donnelly, but his volleyed strike was well saved and cleared for a corner. Donnelly delivered the corner, Mixu challenged but the ball looped in the air towards Maxwell who beat off the challenge to head back across the goal to the Finn who volleyed home. A well deserved lead.
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Saints sat slightly deeper, soaked up an attack and then were on the rampage again. Bernard was the main hub in midfield. Despite recent ankle and back problems, and latterly a virus, the midfielder had a hand in all things in defence and offence. This time he won possession back from David Hannah, released Donnelly but the ex-Celt’s powerful left footed shot was well saved by the keeper. After 14 minutes, Bernard attempted a spectacular scissored volley but it was too high and sailed over the away support. 23 minutes gone, and County cleared off the line. A Donnelly corner, was cleared to Maxwell, and the ex-highlander came close to scoring against his old club with a right footed strike from the edge of the box. 29 minutes gone and Bernard was attacking again. John Robertson attacked down the right and crossed from the byeline, Bernard won the header, but it was saved well at the right post. Up to this stage, County had failed to create any real chances. The Saints midfield were strong, and nullified their creative influences. When the central midfield duo of Reilly and Bernard were breached, Maxwell and Dods were commanding in mopping up. The home side did make attempts to play down the flanks, but these were cancelled out by effective use of the offside trap. After 37 minutes a rare chance was created by the highlanders. Higgins found himself in space near the bye-line on the right side. Forsyth noted the danger and was blatant with his professional illegal challenge, and conceded the free kick. From it the home side failed to threaten and the ball was cleared to Mixu just beyond half way. Mixu was impeded by McCulloch and a free kick awarded. Forsyth crossed deep to Maxwell, who headed back across goal to Mixu who volleyed home his second with a right footed volley from eight yards out.
Two minutes later, and the Stags were finally culled. Ex-Saint, Stuart Malcolm showed his frustration in the 40th minute by infringing MacDonald on the edge of the box. Memories of Peaso’s brace were still fresh and he was very unlucky not to receive a goal bonus this evening. His powerful, curling effort shaved the wall, but crashed off the bar. The ball bounced once and towards the array of players. Mixu was hungriest and headed home the his hat-trick.
By half time the game was well beyond the Dingwall side. Saints had come out blazing after a fortnight layoff, and were unstoppable. For the third time this season, they truly reflected the faith shown in them by the bookmakers. The QOS and Falkirk games had gleemed so far on the record card alongside indifferent results. However, this was very professional, hit-man like performance. Saints were a class above Ross County and played like a genuine championship side. The second half, was less interesting. Saints were content to relax, and ensure that all the points returned home and that no more injuries were sustained or aggravated. Even though Saints allowed Ross County to play, they were well marshalled defensively and allowed very little space to create threatening chances. On the break Saints continued to look dangerous. After the hour, Donnelly was through, but his shot was well saved again. After 66 minutes, Parker’s direct run was complemented by Donnelly’s precision slide pass, but the substitute’s strike was well saved also.
Billy Stark and his team deserve great credit for this afternoon’s performance. They can take great confidence from today. The Saints fans who made the trip north, left the fog behind and were rewarded with a day in the highland sun, watching Saints skip up the table.
STATISTICS -
http://footymad.sportbox.tv/football/results/commentary/2003/10/18/mc/460423/com.html
OTHER RESULTS -
Ayr Utd 0 St Mirren 2
Falkirk 3 Brechin City 0
QOS 3 Inverness CT 2
Raith Rovers 0 Clyde 1