The day the ba’ burst
Alec Cleland has been in an unenviable position of late. Following the departure of former management duo, Derek McInnes and Tony Docherty, the youth coach was asked to look after the first team. Although Steve Lomas has brought Tommy Wright on board as his assistant, Alec has been working closely with the first team as he helps our new management team settle in to their roles.
Today, Alec took charge of our Under 19 players for a Scottish Cup third round tie away to Dunfermline Athletic. Saints went into the game with no striker in the starting XI. Keeper, Ally Worby returned to the goals, meaning the unfortunate Craig Reid dropped to the bench. Under 19 Scotland star, Liam Caddis, slotted in at right back whilst ever ebullient holding midfielder, Ryan Hutchison was played as a striker. Bustling midfielder, Scotty Gray, and top goal scorer, Ricky McIntosh, took turns at supporting the Geordie.
On the left flank Aiden Hendry played in an unaccustomed midfield role, with local lad, Andrew Steeves at full back; tricky winger, Craig Thomson played in front of Liam Caddis. Melrose born Kieran Stewart was the holding midfielder in front of the regular centre half partnership of Gareth Rodger and Skipper, Chris Moffat.
The pitch was a little slow, but other than that, conditions were almost ideal for the time of year. The pitch was in good condition and there was no wind to speak of. The game was prefaced with a respectful two minute silence in memory of fallen, former and active troops.
From the kick off, Saints were the brighter team and despite only having one player up front, we broke quickly and effectively. Ricky McIntosh was a constant threat, as we used Hendry to make decoy runs into the box, freeing up Ricky down the left flank. In the middle of the park, wee Scotty Gray was determined as always, fighting well despite his lack of height. A disappointing feature of Scotty’s play, especially when playing in the middle of the park, is his determination to beat all before him. He fell foul of this attribute a few times against the Pars, though in his defence, he rarely had a forward option. That said, when travelling forward, and with a pursuer at his heels, he didn’t really have the luxury of stopping to spray a pass out wide.
Former Celtic player, Ryan Hutchison, had a difficult shift up front on his own. Few things fell for him and when they did, he was invariably off-balance or out wide. He won plenty of headers and gave his all, but he really was like a fish out of water and I felt very sorry for him today. It was a big ask. If I had any control over affairs, I’d have played Scotty up front and left Hutchy in midfield.
The game should have changed when the Pars went down to ten men. Following a booking for high feet, against Ricky McIntosh, Millen was sent off for an innocuous foul. The referee had a howler of a first half, following the letter of the law in every single occasion. His second half performance was far better as he used common sense and his mouth to control the game. Better a strong word than a whistle and card.
Incredibly, the Under 19s made exactly the same mistake as the first team did against the Dons in our opening match. When we got the man advantage, we continued to try and force our way through the middle of the park. It is basic, basic football to switch the play and stretch the opposition. We signally failed to do so and, quite frankly; it’s incredible that Alec didn’t demand it. There is no excuse as the ordering off happened in the first half and that means he had 15 minutes at half time to change things.
We did eventually get joy by playing things through the middle. Hutchy setting Ricky free and the league’s top scorer made no mistake from 14 yards, lifting over the Dunfermline keeper. Despite the Pars keeper making some good stops in the first half, the lead was only just deserved, especially given the injustice of the sending off.
From that point on, the game turned against us. The Pars rallied and demonstrated a team spirit, the likes of which I’ve scarcely seen. They’re first goal should have been defended better. A ball down by the tunnel corner was poorly defended by Cads, the cross wasn’t dealt with properly; partly because players were out of position and partly because the Pars wanted it more. Cleland was seething with Liam, but as with Hutchy, he’s not and never will be a full back.
He didn’t do himself any favours today, but players need to be played in their natural position to flourish. Football is no different to any other job of work, we all perform to our best when we’re in our natural environment.
The Pars second goal was hardly a thing of beauty. Their energetic attacker was one on one with Chris Moffat, another Saints player (possibly Rodger) was also in the vicinity. The skipper should have fouled his man, but chose not to, the rest is history. The goal came with just minutes left on the clock and their “pile-up” celebration, whilst unpleasant from a Saints view, was a neutral’s dream. The referee’s injustice was undone by grit and perseverance.
Saints pressed hard from the kick off and had a couple of half chances. Steevsie let fly from 35 yards, we had the ball drop inches past the post, skiffing the net as it did so and we had two half chances from snapshots, just inside the area. Alas, it wasn’t to be and we endured another cup disappointment.
I’ve rightly praised Alec for his management philosophy this year, but today he got a few things wrong. Key amongst them was not forcing the players to stretch the game in the second half. That was ultimately what cost us the result.
The boys need to learn from the bitterness of defeat and kick on when the league starts again. They’re good enough, Alec’s good enough; they just need a wee bit of luck. I wish them all well.
Worby
Caddis-Moffat-Rodger-Steeves
Kieran
Thomson-Gray-McIntosh-Hendry
Hutch
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