QOSFC 3 - SAINTS 3

SAINTS were denied victory after coming from behind twice in todays encounter at Palmerston.

Queen of the south stomed ahead with a two goal lead. Barry Wilson was first to score early in the half. After the break Stephen Dobbie hit the back of the net to increase the homesides fortunes to a two goal lead.

Saints recovered shortly after when Kevin Rutiewicz netted for the visitors. On the 64th minute, Chris Millar came to the rescue and evened the scores.

It was not long before Queens took the lead again when Paul Burns netted for the home side however the points were rescued for saints with Derek Homes scoring late on for the equaliser. Saints continue to head for the title.

Reserves get smoked

 Well with a full squad barr two full backs saints looked good for the taking against Arbroath. A great starting line up that you’de normally be happy with in the 1st team including new boy Greg Kelly, Kev James, Ando, Mckoy, Morgan, Morris Moon Peaso and the goal scorer of Saturday Samuel. The team were brilliant from the start with excellent passing and capabilites, unfortunatly only in the defending and midfield areas. The team went behind 1st with a goal that mirrored savos 2nd against rangers two years ago, with a clearing ball over the midfield, Arbroath stkier being faster than the defence and placing the ball in the bottom left corner. The second came when Chris Dodd let his man go in behind him shoot for goal with it coming of the post and Arbroath being the quicker to rect stuck the ball in the net. The jinx still applied to the reserves and hopefully dosnt rub off on the 1st Squad.

 

 

Superb goals put saints to top of the league

2nd November 2008

Well its the morning that saints fans have been waiting for for a long time,,, to wake up knowing that we are top of the league.

A great support brought through from Perth had the team raring to start the game and with all the ecxitment in the away stand we only had to wait 8 minutes to see a well directed Martin Hardie free kick float in the top left corner (im still celebrating that goal). It wasnt enough to hold onto the lead into half time though as Scott Wilson managed a header past Alan Mains goal after Millar trying a header that brought back memories of Stephen McManus’ effort to clear Hardie’s goal in the semi final 2 years ago against Celtic.

A very worrying tackle had all saints fans keep their eyes on lifeless Kevin Moon after receiving Stephen Glass’ studs enter his ribs. With a neck brace and hospital visit though he is reported as being fit and able enough to return to training this week already.

Half time ended all square and the away fans accepting a draw but were looking for more in the 2nd half, and not one saints fan behind Gallaghers goal could have dreamt the wonder goal scored by Liam Craig giving the panel a hard time to choose whether his goal topped Sheerins against Dundee for goal of the season.

This was an absoulte peach of a goal that had saints fans thinking “what the hell is he doing” as he struck the ball, but seconds later they were absolutly ballistic when they witnessed a Premiership styled goal that Man Utd or Chelsea would be proud of. Taking the ball from all of 35 yards out he struck the ball straight to Gallagher but curled last second to hit the top left corner again. You could see how much Craig knew that this will probably be his best goal he’ll ever score as he came running towards the traveling support. Jim McIntyre moaned that the ball had been played out for a throw in just before Craigs goal but didn’t seem to care when we all shouted for a throw in when the Pars took advantage and scored, bit byast in my oppinion.

Who cares ’cause the Perth boys came back with what they had worked so hard for especially after all the preasure that Dunfermline through at us but credit to the back four who remained tight and cleared all danger.

Savo Milne again displayed outstanding fitness as he pratically sprinted the whole 90 minutes of the game. Derek “Holmer” Holmes was superb in the air knocking down high balls to all of his team mate. The display of great ball control by Millar, Hardie, Sheerin and Craig was the core to our win in the midfield area.

MOTM to Liam Craig for his work rate and superb goal.

 

Oh sweet revenge

After the last fixture bringing together Saints and the jags, it was the Perth team looking for revenge after a thumping defeat with a sore scoreline noted at 4-0.

With windy conditions affecting one game in the 1st division saints had to play with experience and skill in order to fight of 12 mand thistle and the wind combined.

Before Kick off, every one in the stadium took a respected 1 minutes silence for the sad loss of a saint legend - Charlie McFadyen. Charlie was a well respected player and person earning a record 336 appearances.

 

After recovering from an illness, Gavin Swankie took back his role in Midfield ahead of Alan Morgan who played last week in Livingston. Thislte could have opened the scoring when Buchanan shot wide of Alan Mains goal after a disagreement he had with the wind but luckilly Rutkiewicz was on hand to clear any danger and release the ball upfield.

The scoring began for saints when a Martin Hardie free kick came in the box and landed to McCaffrey to make a good turn and volley the ball home. It ended just one goal up at halft time but could have easilly doubled the advantage had Sheerin made a spot kick count after Liam Craig was brought down.

But moments later it was Craigs turn to take a chance at a second awarded penalty and made no mistake getting the ball into the net. The third goal came from Stevie Milne who was yet again provided a great ball from Derek Holmes and Milne took the ball with a sweet drive past Tuffey.

 

 

 

Saints tame the Lions!

After a great run before the international break St Johnstone were looking to make it 13 out of 15 points on the trot in a tough battle at top of the league leaders Livingston.

The Last result against the Livi Lions didn’t go to plan after being knocked out the Co-Op cp 2-1 after extra time. With a solid defensive partnership starting to bond with McCaffrey and Rutkiewick and Gary Irvine celebrating the birth of his new baby daughter and Liam Craig starting to become more farmilliar in the left back role it seemed certain for a good day in Alan Mains goals especially with the loss of Livi’s two goal scoring threats.

A healthy sized away support had come through to see St Johnstone pick up 3 points at Almond Vale and it was the on-form Stevie ‘Savo’ Milne that came up not only with the goods but an absolutly outstanding world class piece of finshing worthy to win any game. A great ball was played up the left wing from Craig to Holmes who done well to control under preasure and cross the ball to Milne who made an approach to the edge of the ‘D’ section in Livi’s box, controled on the knee and lobbed the keeper from a good 20 yards out.

Although the game finished 1-0 to saints it should probably have finished 3-1 with both sides missing close range headers and one from Hardie who was unlucky not to have directed the ball to wither side of their keeper.

Easy clean sheet for Alan Main, great defensive work from all, excellent fitness showed by the midfield and great decision making from the forwards.

All 3 subs were used by Mcinnes and the only person in the stadium not knowing who they were was the tannoy man and achiving 100% to get every name wrong as saints players came on. MacDonald was the last of the subs to appear and is looking a lot more fitter and thinner but should have scored when running goal wards from the right but opting to pass instead of shoot.

All heads down now for the Partick game and the team are hoping they will have a great vocal backing by the supporters and keep them going for another 90 minutes!