Match Day vs Kilmarnock (H)   

Saturday July 24th 1999

Norrie McWhirter Testimonial Match by                       

Final Score Saints 1 Kilmarnock 0 by Roving Ross  

A great pre-season result for Saints but it remains to see whether it was for the man of the day, Norrie McWhirter. A paltry crowd of 2,635 turned out for the testimonial of one of the clubs greatest and most loyal players of all time.

Those who decided to stay away missed not only an exciting game against one of Scotland’s better sides but also the chance to watch some of their old heroes in the legends match which preceded the main event.

Such great’s as Jack Copland, Tony Fitzpatrick, Alex Beckett and Scott Harvie(!) turned out in the legendary black and white stripes once again to play a team consisting of local business men and loyal Saints fans. It was also a game in which we seen the future of St.Mirren Football Club-Simon Lappin,Stephen Gallagher and Stephen Donnachie,from the youth team,all making an appearance for the legends.

From the off it was clear the ex-Saints would romp it as they showed they still had the touches,if not the pace,which gave so many fans such great memories. In the end they ran out comfortable 4-0 winners with Bobby Torrance and Frank McGarvey amongst the scorers.

Kilmarnock brought along with them their two mascots,Mr and Mrs Squirrel(?),and along with the greatest mascot in the world, Paisley Panda, they helped provide the rest of the pre-match entertainment. As a token of thanks the two squirrels were presented with a present each from Paisley-Two Giant Acorns!
Minutes later and Paisley had a surprise for the crowd this time - Paisley Panda Junior. The routine between the two of them was brilliant, although, surely it’s cruel to bring a baby panda on to the pitch inside a holdall?

As the sides emerged from the tunnel Norrie was given a rapturous welcome from both sets of supporters, sadly, on such a great day, he was carrying an injury and had to make do with a place on the bench.

Saints back three held up well without him in the early stages as Kilmarnock passed the ball fluently and looked dangerous coming forward.
The travelling support were getting their first glimpse of new signing Frederic Dindeleux and he almost opened the scoring after 15 minutes-for St.Mirren!
His passback seemed simple enough for Colin Meldrum to deal with but as the Kilmarnock goalkeeper tried to control the ball,it slipped under his foot and ran narrowly past the post.

This was the only time either team really came close until Saints took the lead in the 26th minute. Mark Yardley took control of the ball just inside the box and just as he seemed to have a chance at goal he was tugged from behind,denying him a shot and gaining Saints a penalty. Determined to do well against his old club Tom Brown took the kick,sending Meldrum the wrong way to make it 1-0.

At this point Saints were dominating proceedings with both Scott Walker and Sergei Baltacha coming close to scoring a second.

Steven McGarry should have added another when he was put through on goal by Hugh Murray but, as so often happens with him in these situations, his shot was blocked by Meldrum and cleared away to safety.

Derek Scrimgour had very little to deal with in a first half in which Kilmarnock had trouble creating chances. Even when chances did come it was usually as a result of a mistake from a Saints player.

Their first came when Scrimgour miscontrolled a passback and only just beat Michael Jeffrey to the loose ball. Another came as a result of clearance which rebounded off a blue and white shirt and forced Scrimgour to turn the ball round the post for a corner.

The chances did come their way in the second half but not before St.Mirren’s kids had defeated their Killie counterparts in a small sided game at half time.
Maybe Ally McCoist should have joined in with them, as he’d surely have more chance of scoring. For most of his time on the pitch he was struggling to keep up with play, while for the rest of it he was missing chances that only a few years ago he would’ve had for breakfast(judging by the size of him he has an awful lot of other stuff for breakfast nowadays!).

While Sally’s best chance ended up in the Love Street terracing,Alan Mahood seemed to have made a better job of his. Having gone round Scrimgour he stroked the ball towards goal only to see the huge frame of Baltacha appear from nowhere to clear the ball off the line.

That effort was by far the best effort Killie served up in what was, a rather dull second half. Dull that was,until the 84th minute when the crowd finally got a glimpse of the man they had turned out for.

Norrie McWhirter entered the action in place Ryan Robinson and his every pass, every touch,every movement was cheered and applauded. It was a shame he couldn’t have had a greater turn out but here’s hoping it doesn’t detract from what should be remembered as a fitting tribute to such a great player.
Norrie,there’s only one Norrie....................

St.Mirren: Scrimgour, Nicolson (Rudden, 71), Kerr, Turner, Baltacha, Walker, Murray (Trialist, 62), Drew (Robinson, 31) (McWhirter, 84), McGarry (Gallagher, 74), Brown, Yardley Sub not used: Roy

Kilmarnock: Meldrum, McPherson, Jeffrey, McGowne, Reilly, McCoist, Mahood, Vareille, Baker, Dindeleux, Burke Subs: Innes, Bagan, Fowler, McCutcheon, Di Giacomo

Sizzling Saint: Scott Walker and Sergei Baltacha improve with every game while Hugh Murray seems to at long last have found his form. On the day though how could I give it to any other player but Norrie McWhirter?......even if he did only play 6 minutes.


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