PAISLEY PRETENDERS DEFEATED IN BATTLE OF THE SAINTS

Last updated : 26 October 2003 By Richard Jones

The Perth Saints won over the Paisley pretenders, in a tightly fought, aggressive battle at McDiarmid Park today. Following on from a 3-0 thrashing of Ross County, some home fans may have anticipated a Perth rout. However, both previous encounters this season, had been fought hard and close. Today, a brilliant finish from the edge of the box by Mark Robertson was the definition between the two sides.

St.Mirren’s form had picked up of late. The experienced back line of McPherson and McGowne had not conceded a goal in the last two matches.

Saints had the better start, and were lively going forward. The physical strength in midfield was overcoming the Paisley Saints. Despite the possession, little was made in the way of chances as St.Mirren remained tight at the back. St.Mirren then started to control the game for a spell and moved the ball around purposely. However, to their credit, the Saints back division was also functioning effectively, and dealt efficiently with the St.Mirren offence.

After 27 minutes, Peter MacDonald regained possession from Ricky Gillies, crossed but Ian Maxwell’s header, bounced in front of the keeper, and was easily collected. St.Johnstone, were most threatening down the left flank. After 31 minutes, Ross Forsyth rampaged down the left wing, knocked the ball outside to M.Robertson who cut back onto his right side, and crossed for Mixu in the middle of the box. Mixu cushioned his header beyond the defensive line for MacDonald, but his left footed volley was blocked by MacPherson and saved by Hinchcliffe in the away goal.

PERTHSHIRE PICTURE AGENCY
PERTHSHIRE PICTURE AGENCY
The overall St.Johnstone physical strength and commitment was rewarded with a goal in the 33rd minute. An apparently ordinary throw in front of the dug outs was converted into a goal by five slick touches. John Robertson’s shy was flicked on by Mixu to MacDonald who in turn skiffed the ball onto Donnelly, who hurdled and chipped a pass over the oncoming defender into the path of Mark Robertson who was running through from left midfield. The ex-Australian international, took a touch, looked up at the keeper, and blasted a left foot shot beyond into the goal.

St.Johnstone continued in pursuance of the killer goal. A Mixu header from a Forsyth free kick swung beyond the left hand post. In the 39th minute, St.Mirren hit the cross-bar and delivered a wakening call to Saints. Yet, it was deemed irrelevant, with a goal kick being awarded for the ball crossing the bye line. Yet, from the goal kick, Donnelly received the ball on the edge of the box, hesitated and lost possession. St.Johnstone had to endure an uneasy period where St.Mirren forced them onto the defensive. When Saints did move up the park once more, Forsyth’s low in-swinging cross was misjudged by all bar MacDonald, but his left footed swipe was off target.

Immediately, after the second period had started. Cuthbert was called into action for the first time. Ricky Gillies lept onto a bouncing ball 35 yards out, and launched a swirling strike towards the top right corner. Only, solid concentration and monkey-like reflexes kept the ball out of the net. It came from nowhere and could easily have caught the young Saints keeper off guard.

In the 48th minutes, Saints were attacking the Paisley goal again. Ian Maxwell’s form is improving by the game at the moment, and Mixu was the benefactor of his assistance in the box last Saturday. Again today, the deep cross into the box, was headed back into the mix by Maxwell. The St.Mirren defence scrambled to clear, but only so far as Bernard on the edge of the box. He cracked a phizzing right footed drive goalwards, Hinchcliffe stood tight, but the shot was just wide. Saints persisted to open up the St.Mirren defence on the counter. MacDonald played the ball wide to Forsyth but his cross was sliced towards the keeper with Mixu ready to pounce in the box.

PERTHSHIRE PICTURE AGENCY
55 minutes gone, and Cuthbert was on hand to keep the Perth side ahead. A Darren Dods defensive cross field pass was stray and picked up by Alan Russell. The ex-Hamilton man chased through on goal, Cuthbert closed the angle, and saved well with his right knee. St.Mirren were using the off-side trap effectively, although leaving themselves exposed on occasion by playing the defensive line far forward. Presumably, this was the reason for Parker’s introduction for MacDonald, to penetrate this area. His impact was fairly immediate as his pace caused concern amongst the Paisley ranks. Parker, is not shy of controversy and plenty was to follow. Already in games against St.Mirren he had been involved in "moments" with the opposition and their support. After 67 minutes, Bernard, played a clever ball over the top for Parker, and his shot was blocked for a corner. After 71 minutes, and Maxwell was a post away from being rewarded for his efforts. Donnelly’s shirt was tugged, and from Reilly’s high looping delivery, Maxwell’s powerful downward header crashed back off the post. Minutes later and St.Johnstone nearly wrapped up the points. Parker beat Ellis three times on the right flank, before laying the ball back to Donnelly. His cross found Mixu on the six yard box, but his header was acrobatically caught by Hinchcliffe. Meanwhile, the on field pressure guage was expanding as the referee refused to either punish Parker for diving or award a free kick. With ten minutes left, Parker beat 4 men, then changed direction in the box. He appeared to be tripped by MacPherson, but the referee dismissed such a claim, and the obligation to book Parker. Already since his introduction, on a number of occasions he had appeared to be fouled, but his willingness to fall to ground was dismissed by the unsure referee. Resultantly, discussion between him and veteran MacPherson increased as facial temperatures soared.

PERTHSHIRE PICTURE AGENCY
It was a close battle, but St.Johnstone were more effective with their use of possession and created genuine chances. The result was partly owed to the physical, committed style of Saints which won over the Paisley pretenders.

With Ross County winning over Queen of the South, and Falkirk losing at home to Ayr, Saints move up the table.

MATCH STATS:
http://footymad.sportbox.tv/football/results/scdiv1/2003/10/25/mc/460438/livecentre.html