Saints 3-2 Queens Park
Last updated : 03 August 2003 By Stuart Gillespie
Saints once again went for a 4-4-2 formation, with several players making their Saints debuts. Up front were the former Rangers duo of Brian McGinty and Paul McKnight.
Saints had the first chance of the game when a cross from the right was missed by former Saints goalie Derek Scrimgour, only for the player at the back post to be too small to get his head on it. Ah well, we all thought, won't be long until there's a goal. How right we were.
Saints had played the first 15 minutes terribly, with the exception of that one moment, and got exactly what they deserved. An error by David van Zanten allowed a Queens Park player to nip in, and as van Zanten stumbled, Craig Hinchcliffe charged out of his goal, and the Queens player was left with the simple task of rolling the ball home. Second worst team in Scotland or not, the guy couldn't miss, and Queens took a deserved lead.
Minutes later Hinchcliffe was again causing trouble, when he scythed down a Queens player on the edge of the box. A clear red card, unless you are useless ref Willie Young, so Hinchy escaped with a booking. However, Queens scored the free kick, and Saints were unbelievably 2-0 down to a third division amatuer side.
Normal service was about to be resumed, but this was not a good thing. McKnight had once again got himself injured and limped off after half an hour. It isn't a record for him, however, as he once injured himself in the warm up a few seasons ago! Robert Dunn came on to replace the injury prone striker.
Saints one clear chance of the first half was a Ricky Gillies effort, but a Queens defender got back and managed to clear the ball away. Half time then, and things were not looking good.
Saints emerged for the second half earlier than normal, and had changed to a 3-5-2 formation, with the shocking van Zanten replaced by John O'Neill. The difference was amazing. When Queens emerged there was a rather sarcastic cheer from the fans in the East Stand as Scrimgour came over. He hadn;t changed a bit, still useless and still trying to act like a bigshot by signalling the score to us. Fud.
The first chance of the half fell to Dunn, but his shot went just past the post. O'Neill also missed a few chances whilst Kirk Broadfoot put a simple header miles over the bar. Apart from this, Broadfoot was superb in a defensive midfield role.
Saints finally managed a goal, and a fine goal it was too. Gillies played Mark Crilly in, and after taking a touch he hammered the ball past the hapless/helpless/hopeless Scrimmy. It was exactly what we'd deserved on the fine second half showing.
From the restart Saints won posession, and Scrimgour had to be alert to tip a long range Broadfoot effort round the post.
Saints continued to press, and had several chances. They pressed so hard I struggle to recall a single touch from Gus MacPherson or Kevin McGowne in the second half. A penmalty claim with 15 minutes left was biazarrely denied, but probably made up for the decision to keep Hinchcliffe on the pitch.
With just minutes to go, Saints did get a penalty. Great work from O'Neill, Dunn and youngster Tom McHard saw the ball played in to McGinty, and he was chopped down. If that wasn't a penalty then I don't know what is. McGinty hammered the ball past Scrimgour, breaking the net in the process. Just after McHard came close, and had he been a bit taller his overhead kick may have connected and avoided sending us to extra time.
Things were settled shortly into the first period, when a Saints corner wasn't cleared and O'Neill hammered the ball under Scrimgour. Saints took their foot off the pedal after this and just survived, despite Queens rallying late on.
So a win, but not a convincing one. The second half performance was superb, but the first half performance was a disgrace. We must stick with a back three, even if Coughlin prefers a back four, as we looked far more settled. Crilly and Broadfoot were outstanding, whilst Dunn and O'Neill look decent players. McHard, coming up from the under 19s, also impressed.
Here's hoping things are sorted for next weeks league opener against Raith Rovers. Based on the first half, things can't be much worse, can they?
