Saints 3 Brechin 1
Mixu (48,71) Gibson (90)
Dods (76)
Sponsors Man of the Match - Parker
This afternoon was the fifth Saturday of this seasons footballing calendar and despite a strong pre-season and two good performances, Saints were already suffering teething problems. Perhaps it began at Clyde. Despite the result, Saints failed to dominate the game and warning alarms started to sound relating to various departments of the team. The following game at St. Mirren saw a defensive unit look increasingly uncomfortable and the overall display withering as a result. The creative brilliance that had destroyed Queen of the South was evaporating. The Caley and Brechin games that followed were a shocking reality check for the pre-season favourites. Changes were mandatory.
Saints lined up with a 3-4-1-2 formation. Maxwell, Robertson and Dods across the back. Robertson having made an excellent start to the season was given the opportunity of a more responsible role in policing the centre of defence. He has shown the intelligence of mind to see a pass matched with the ability and confidence to perform. All the great Saints team have had a strong organiser and distributor in the heart of defence. Baltacha, Griffin and Kernaghan all come to mind. The pairing of Dods and Maxwell have not seen a natural fusion, but on the contrary a dangerous reaction that has resulted in loss of goals. Both the above can be effective, however neither are natural leaders. They are the quieter sort who rather listen than shout. Forsyth deputised for the ill Maxwell after 42mins and performed very well. He is a player blessed with ability and pace and the team will benefit from his development this season.
Reilly made his return to midfield, sitting in front of the defence with the job of mopping up sloppy errors at the back. These moments did arise, and Reilly responded well and cleared up very effectively. Despite his last minute header against QOS, he was never a favourite last season, but with the artists that roam ahead of him, Reilly was able to concentrate on his paramount duties which he accomplished well. Bernard was the central cog in the middle of the pitch with Malone and Baxter his flankmen. He turned in another strong perfomance, mixing stature with supreme ability to hold onto possession and distribute. Baxter and Malone are similar players offering some symmetry to the Saints formation. Both super enthusiastic and keen to win, well ahead of their time as players. Donnelly, was given a free licence to orchestrate the attack as Saints pushed for victory. His fitness is quickly improving, and with it his effect on the game increases. He times his pass with excellence, is becoming more and more committed and is regaining his sight for goal. The altered formation worked in his and the teams favour by giving him the ball with the entire pitch to work with instead of being marooned on the touchline.
Mixu, had an excellent game today. Perhaps due to Saints abandoning the repetitive long ball option that had become so predictable recently. Instead Saints were dedicated to building from the back forward and on the ground. Parker, would probably be slightly disappointed with his performance, not cashing in with a goal, but he found himself wide frequently, and had his goal attempts blocked. Yet, he was an essential part of the Stark formula which broke Brechin down and today it was the cross ball that bore fruits rather than the through ball which he thrives on.
Just as Saints did on Tuesday, they made a strong start. Parker down the right flank crossing well for Mixu, but the over eager Finn fouled his opposite man. From early on, Saints were making the effort to pass, and were controlling the game well. In 7 mins Malone crossed from the left, Parker controlled just inside the box but sent anoverhead cross come shot over the bar. Unbeknown to him Mixu was prowling at the back post and perhaps a more accurate effort could have been a quick start for the Saints goal tally. After 12 mins, Brechin were awarded a free kick between the touchline and the box for a Maxwell foul. Painfull flashbacks were flying across the eyes of many home fans, but this time it was well cleared by Baxter to Donnelly who picked out a rampaging Dods accelerating on his flank. Dods launched a cross beyond the back post which was well returned back across the goal by Parker to Donnelly, who timed his volley well but to his frustration it hit the back of a Brechin player. Minutes later, Donnelly slid a perfect pass through for Parker, but his ambitious diagonal effort was too straight at Soutar and he held easily. Again Mixu, was inside and perhaps that was the better option.
In the 18th minute, Brechin should have taken the lead. Malone failed to deal with a high ball on the left flank, despite a perfect cross, Hampshire,the Brechin attacker had only Cuthbert to beat but directed his attempt straight into the Ormond Stand. 3 minutes later and it was Templeman’s turn to shoot, but he was not as impressive as on Tuesday, and fired wide.
In the 27th minute, Donnelly worked a double one two with Parker, however Keigan’s shot was too high, but a precisely worked move nonetheless, exhibiting the understanding that is developing between the two players. Towards the end of the half Bernard, Donnelly and Reilly all had strong attempts at goal, but controversy was set to loom over McDiarmid again. Maxwell was replaced by Forsyth after 41minutes. Maxwell looked unwell and was rumoured to be suffering from flu. Yet, in the 44th minute, the Saints defence was leaking again and Hampshire found himself unmarked in front of goal. Despite looking offside he was incapable of hitting the target. Another lifeline for the Perth men going into the break.
Despite plenty of good possession, Saints had failed to score. However, any cynics were silenced just 3 minutes into the second half, when Reilly won back possession, passed to Bernard who was running into space on his left, Bernard then sent a diagonal left footed chip into the box which Mixu headed brilliantly into the top left hand corner bringing much relief all round the ground. In the 57th minute Saints were denied a stone wall penalty when good work down the left was followed by a dangerous Malone cross into the box. With Donnelly flying through the air, about to make contact, the over zealous Kevin Fotheringham appeared to clear the Saint rather than the ball. Only the referee and the linesman did not see it as a foul. By now, Saints were cruising and Donnelly continued to wow the fans. In 64 minutes, with Fotheringham close to his side, he feinted to his right, dummied the ball and let the pass roll into the space behind him leaving marker Fotheringham trailing behind. A pass inside to the surging Bernard saw two on two. With Parker on his left side and anticipating the pass into the box Saints looked sure to score, however, Bernard made an uncharacteristic error and tripped on the ball. Chance gone. However, it was a brilliant move and was well received by the home crowd.
Mixu scored his and Saints second goal after 71minutes, when a deep cross by Reilly found Mixu, and another excellent header into the same spot made it 2-0. Ten minutes later, the real treat arrived. After good play by Donnelly in the middle, the ball was moved wide left to Parker, who sent the ball high into the box. Dods was quick to load and prepare to send an unstoppable right footed volley, on the full into the top corner! Pure brilliance.
McLaughlin and Robertson both made their season home debuts, both contributing well to the closing stages. We know Robertson well, and his grit and ability will blend in well and give us added depth. McLaughlin, showed a very cultured left foot and showed the ability to read the game and played some good through balls.
The referee and linesman again posed as party pooper as Mixu’s third headed goal was chopped off for offside towards the end. But some shine was scratched off the result when Brechin scored a consolation through Gibson in the last minute.
All in all, this was a much improved performance. With Reilly returning and Donnelly being given more freedom, Robertson marshalling the defensive core, Saints looked tenfold stronger. Note should also be made of Baxter who made am impact on his first team return. However, despite this praise the defensive lapses are never far away. The real test begins over the next month, playing Clyde, Raith and Falkirk in the league and St. Mirren in the cup this coming Tuesday. We all wait to discover how strong Saint’s mettle really is.
SAINTS: Cuthbert, J Robertson, Dods, Baxter, Maxwell (Forsyth 42), Bernard (M Robertson 83), Donnelly (McLaughlin 80), Reilly, Malone, Paatelainen, Parker
SUBS NOT USED: Nelson, M Robertson, Fotheringham, McLaughlin
BRECHIN CITY: Soutar, Miller, Mitchell, Deas, White, Davidson, Fotheringham, Hampshire, Jablonski, Templeman, McCulloch