Tales of the Unexpected
The first Under 19 game of the season was a disaster by any stretch of the imagination. Much is known of the Aberdeen youth development policy, and a trip to Balgownie is never inviting; nevertheless we got mauled and that’s never good for confidence.
Motherwell were the opponents in a match held in blustery conditions on a slick Creamery Park. Watched by Billy Stark, Alec Cleland fielded a strong side comprising many of last years stars such as Ricky McIntosh, Liam Caddis and my top tip Chris Kane. Hutch, Aiden, Gareth, Moffat and Callum were all present meaning that only right back, Greg, our goalkeeper, former Coventry City man, Worby and midfield Kez, were “newbies”. Scotty Gray and Andrew Steeves each had to make do with a place on the bench.
The Well have lost their commanding centre halves from last year and played a totally different style of football, building from the back through coloured and colourful, ball playing midfielder Hermann. I can hear ill-educated fans and pundits calling it the “right way to play football”, I find myself in total disagreement.
The Motherwell coach, Gordon Young, is man I hold in high esteem. Articulate, modest, encouraging, witty and smartly turned out, he is a credit to his employer. Nevertheless, his results when he was caretaker manager don’t look that great and ultimately, his side lost this encounter.
It’s all very well playing from the back and trying slick, one-touch passing moves from front to back, but if you don’t have the players capable of that sort of game it’s gonna put you in trouble. If you can’t keep a respectable shape and ensure players’ off the ball movement is top drawer, you’ll get pinned back – that’s exactly what happened in the first half.
Every throw from goalkeeper to full back was chased and harried by our front two, Ricky and Liam on the wings played a vital role in cutting out the long ball option. Times without number the ball went back to the opposition number one and he ended up striking a moving ball when his defenders were far from the midfield players.
We enjoyed great pressure as the defence mis-placed passes under pressure, both Ricky and Cads were getting forward well and early on we won a freekick on the left wing, 20 yards out. The ever impressive Cads floated in a lovely, out-swinging cross which several Saints attacked at the same time and the chance went a begging.
Motherwell occasionally threatened on the counter as they doubled up on young Aiden Hendry at left back. The full back, who’s grown in stature since deputising for Johnny Lindsay towards the end of last year, is now our only pukka left back and put in a fine shift; working well with those in front and alongside. Very rarely did he choose the wrong option and even when he did, he recovered well. His partners at the back were two thirds familiar from last year in the shape of hairy Gareth Rodger (who will likely struggle to face Dunfermline, having picked up a nasty looking knock on his right ankle) and the inspirational Chris Moffat.
With former leaders such as Lindsay and Sully now away from the club and guys like Vinnie, Mayzo and Reynolds all ineligible for the under 19 squad young Moffat has really stepped up to the plate in a manner quite unforeseen by your author. Vocal, aggressive, level headed and incisive the centre half was a commanding figure all afternoon and I, for one, salute the dramatic improvement in his game.
At right back, SJFC Magazine pin-up, Greg Mitchell, put in a determined shift. His size counts against him at the moment but there’s plenty time for that aspect of his game to change. Ryan Sullivan, made the number two jersey his own over recent years and we’re missing him badly. Sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone...
A long kick reached the Motherwell back line but Chris Kane was present and alert, hustling, harrying and pressing. The centre half was caught in two minds, tempted to head it back to the keeper but perhaps feeling it would be safer to head in front. In the end, he did neither, and the ball rolled off the back of his head where Kano pounced, took a touch for composure and finished with aplomb when one on one with the Well goalie.
In the time, it took me to text fellow Saintees the scoreline, we had doubled our advantage. A blatant handball in the Motherwell right back area gave Cads a chance to repeat his excellent early free kick. He got it wrong and the ball was very low when it arrived, Hutch got a flick and the referee had no hesitation in awarding the spot kick for handball. I must be honest, I saw nothing and the body language of both teams gave little clue as to whether or not the referee made the right decision.
Irrespective, Ricky McIntosh, the man with the cleanest teeth at the club, picked up the ball and tucked it away. Two nil the Saints. In the ensuing fall out, the referee very clearly explained the decision to the Motherwell skipper; there was no protest and I my hunch is that the decision was correct. Motherwell’s official site claims that the video replay showed an accidental touch and I’m happy to concur,
Saints continued to press and youth coach, Alec Cleland, sent words of encouragement and praise to his players. It looked set to remain at 2-0 as the players headed up the hill to the comfort of the dressing room. Unfortunately a drop in concentration saw a loose ball converted into attack. As Motherwell, swept forward Saints were able to stick the ball out for a throw in around 20 yards from the bye-line in our right side. The set-piece was a catalogue of errors for Saints as neither; the thrower, the recipient nor the back post were marked. The result was a goal for Motherwell and the easiest of headers for their centre forward. Unchallenged he had to head into a gaping goal from 2 yards. It was galling and was guaranteed to be the break that Gordon Young needed to energise his troops.
I must admit that as the second half kicked off, my only concern was getting my hair wet as the forecast rain and thunder blew ever closer. I simply couldn’t see Motherwell getting back into the game. I hadn’t figured on fatigue though. Put simply Saints younger players began to fade and after the first 15 minutes, it was Motherwell who looked most likely to score.
Kano, who must be catching the eye of the Scotland scout, became more and more isolated. Scotty Gray, introduced to protect Liam Caddis, was asked to play in several positions and as a direct result simply didn’t do himself justice. He’s one to watch though, and should have a future in the game. Ricky McIntosh was moved to the left wing and his game also suffered. In midfield, Hutch, who recovered well from a very poor start to his Saints career had a fine game while Kez certainly didn’t look out of sorts wearing the number four shirt.
Midway through the half, young Greg Mitchell made way for local boy Andrew Steeves and that saw, Hutch move to right back, Ricky to right midfield, Scotty to centre midfield with Steevsie wide left.
Unfortunately, before we could make our third sub, Motherwell had equalised. A slip on wet grass allowed the Motherwell right back, Nicky Devlin to finish with a cross cum shot. The former Dumbarton man will undoubtedly claim it was a shot, but the flight of the ball would suggest it was a cross. Whatever, it beat Alistair Worby and at 2-2 with time for a winner, physio and all round good guy, Jocky Peebles started screaming for the full time whistle!!
Callum picked up an injury and was replaced by a lad so young and skinny that we didn’t iron any numbers onto his shirt...
So began a series of shots into Worby’s goal. Thankfully, most of them were wildly off target, indeed Worby probably only made three stops all game. One stop he didn’t have to make was a great strike which had fans on both sides sucking air through their teeth.
The winner, like the first goal, came from pushing and hustling, this time by Steevsie. A pass back was a fraction short and as Steevsie rushed to collect, the home keeper, Wullie Muir fouled Andrew and the referee allowed Ricky the chance to win all three points. The playmaker did the needful and Saints players and bench erupted with delight.
The hosts undoubtedly feel hard done by, especially as the referee failed to award them a spot kick for a dubious hand ball by Gareth, but I simply can’t deny Saints the three points. Alec Cleland, a man who has been on the receiving end of huge criticism by your author, has shaped a very good side this year. We’re lacking physicality in all areas of the pitch, but the talent in there to be seen. Much more importantly Alec has clearly taken on board comments made recently. His touchline manner was almost diametrically opposed to the rubbish of the last few years. Gone was the prima donna bitchfest and in came words of hope, positivity and praise. None were threatened or treated like weans, he talked to them all with the correct levels of respect and decency.
In the excitement of our famous win over Celtic at Parkhead, I refused to praise McInnes as I felt him getting our tactics right was a flash in the pan; he duly proved me right against Dundee United. I have a modicum of hope that Alec’s approach against Motherwell is a genuine change of management and I fervently hope so. The arrogance of Cleland was disgusting to behold, if he can combine his talent for spotting a player and merge it with a more pleasant manner, we’ll have a great season.
Credit where it’s due, long may it continue.....
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