St. Mirren 0 v St. Johnstone 2 (AET)

Last updated : 05 September 2003 By Richard Jones
Matchwinner Dods tussles with the impressive Alan Russel
Perthshire Picture Agency
Saints were back in Paisley, just weeks after a close battling draw in the league. That game had fired warning shots in the direction of the Perth camp and with the Paisley Saints beating Clyde on Saturday tonight’s game would be an interesting insight into SJ’s progess. Stark elected the same formation and line up (3-5-2) from Saturday with John Robertson rightfully rewarded with the central defensive role again.

The early stages was a mixture of jibs and jabs as both teams tried to find their feet in midfield. After 20 minutes Saints had their first real goal threat. A Dods cross from the right was won in the air by Mixu, the ball dropped into the path of Malone, but he was unable to control and direct his right footed volley goalwards from eight yards. Three minutes later and SM were threatening the away goal. The SM midfielder, John O’Neill slotted the ball through, which the impressive Allan Russell latched onto. But Maxwell was able to put enough pressure on the forward and hamper his shot, which deflected off his boot and was dealt with comfortably by Cuthbert. Robertson had to look lively on the right edge of the box after a sloppy SJ throw in had gifted possession to Russell. Despite some wrestling between the two, Robertson won possession back. Willie Young allowing the game to play on.

During the first period Saints were failing to deliver the crucial final ball. Despite good play through the midfield, lack of precision took the pressure off the home team.

The second half was similar to the first. Much midfield scrapping and both teams playing in and around the central areas of the pitch. Yet still the decisive ball was lacking and extra time always looked a possibility. Both sides did have speculative chances. In the 58th minute, with Donnelly becoming more involved, he played a precision diagonal pass into the stream of the pacey Baxter who sent in a cross from the right side, but Mixu’s header was saved by Hinchcliffe. A minute later SM broke from midfield after SJ lost possession but Cuthbert dealt with the cross. That was a mere warm up for the the SM corner after 63 minutes. The ball flew in from the right, and after a mistimed header and deflection, Russell attempted an overhead kick, but luckily for Saints, the blue players were on hand to block.

A minute later, again the SJ defence had to block an O’Neill shot from 8 yards out. In 73 minutes, Russell continued to concern the away support after turning well in the box, his shot rebounded off Robertson and fell to Kirk Broadfoot, but his shot flew into the side netting. Half an hour into the second half and SJ were having to settle for the counter attacking option. A Maxwell pass found Mixu who flicked on for Donnelly who was chased into the box by two SM defenders, and despite being felled in the box, Willie Young did not view it as sufficient to award a penalty. Two minutes later and SJ were in the box again. A quick throw by Bernard to Malone, who crossed from the left wing for Mixu to receive on the edge of the box. He jigged left and right, making space for his left foot, but his effort lacked the necessary venom to penetrate Hinchcliffe’s goal.

With 9 minutes of ordinary time remaining, Robertson controlled a SM cross from the left, despite the assertive attention from Russell, again he defused the assault well and cleared for a corner. With six minutes left, after Reilly had conceded a foul in the circle, Malone had to be athletic to clear.

The 90 minutes had been a close affair and extra time was inevitable, but it only took seconds from the restart for SJ to show more authority as Robertson surged with the ball into the home half. Despite the ball reaching Parker on the right he was well tackled by MacPherson. All to often Parker found himself wide, even though he is much more effective when running through the middle.

4 minutes into extra time, and the effective Reilly was replaced by Mark Robertson. Whether the introduction of a fresh engine acted like a catalyst or not Saints came close when Parker set up Mixu after clever play on the right but Mixu’s shot was deflected away by Hinchliffe, yet the ball flopped up in the air to fall in the gap between Malone and the home keeper. A mad rush ensued, but Hinchcliffe just had the weight to save.

A minute later and SJ finally took the lead. Willie Young hesitated but awarded a foul on the edge of the centre circle for a foul by Gillies on Parker. Bernard floated a ball over the defensive back line, and again Dods cruised in, leaped and delicately nodded a looping header over the front of the home goal and into the bottom left hand corner. More scintillating finishing from the big man! This was the reward for the commitment that the SJ team had shown since the beginning of extra time.

Four minutes later and Saints were awarded a stone wall penalty. After good passing interlinking play between Maxwell and Mixu, Parker was played through the centre, he pursued the winning goal by attacking the left edge of the box, only to be tripped by a poorly timed Broadfoot tackle. Mixu took his time, before nonchalantly chipping a low left footed shot into the centre of the goal.

Tonight Saints had come out on top in a close battle that was flattering in the end with a two goal win. John Coughlin was disappointed to lose after feeling that “over the piece we didn’t think two goals separated the sides.” “It was a cruel way to lose it, with two cheap goals.”

Billy Stark
Perthshire Picture Agency
Billy Stark was delighted to return home victorious. He lamented that “it was the hardest tie we could have got. But we are delighted to be in the next round” “Particularly with St. Mirren much improved form last season.” He was under no illusions with the result, “Can’t say we played really well - not a great game.”

He was happy to lavish praise on Darren Dods, who scored with a “lovely cushioned header.” He was also much happier with the defence “who defended much better,”

Saints actually recorded only their second clean sheet of the season. Despite the closeness of the match, Saints had the edge over St. Mirren. Hopefully, this will aid the team in gathering more momentum before a crucial away match to Clyde next Saturday. It was a good solid team performance. Undoubtedly, Saints can play better, but the difference was we did not look so shaky at the back, and from that the midfield could concentrate more on going forward. Saints also used possession more effectively, and did not give it away cheaply as had become the trend against Brechin and ICT. Perhaps this is part of Reilly’s influence, who was again very solid in his holding position. All in all, an effective performance tonight, but is it enough for a Championship season? Clyde will pose as the next test of Saint’s progression.