Match Day vs Clyde (A)
Tuesday July 27th 1999
Final Score Clyde 1 Saints 1 by Roving Ross
There’s something about
Broadwood that just makes me dislike the place, yet, I can’t quite put my
finger on it. We’ve had some great wins there when Airdrie dumped their
caravans on it for a few seasons and it’s a nice enough wee stadium compared
to some of the other tips we’ve come across in the first division.
I still don’t like it though,maybe it’s the fact it’s always
freezing?-even last night when it was 80 odd degrees in Paisley I found myself
shivering in Cumbernauld- or that they always run out of pies(and burger’s,and
hot dog’s,and crisps....) and bovril(and tea,and coffee......) at half
time?Whatever it is,last night didn’t exactly bring it closer to my heart.
The first half was an absolute nightmare to watch with few chances created and
Clyde more or less dominating proceedings.
Midway through the half the home side should have opened the scoring when
Stephen Craib latched on to a poor Tommy Turner backpass before forcing Ludovic
Roy to turn his left footed drive round the post.
Saints almost took advantage of this miss when, soon after, Scott Walker headed
a Chris Kerr corner into the path of Mark Yardley, who at full stretch, could
only put his effort over the bar.
This was the closest Saints had come in a half where Craib was causing all sorts
of problems for the visiting defence. It was again the Clyde No.11 who was at
the centre of things when Brian Carrigan came close on the 40 minute mark.
This time Craib turned and twisted in the box before laying the ball into the
path of Carrigan, whose stunning right footed strike came off Roy’s left hand
post and went behind for a goal kick.
Saints had given two trialists- Andy Porteous and Johnny Walker- a start and,
without being too harsh on either of them, they were rotten! Both players
struggled to get into the game and it was no surprise that they made way at half
time for the combination of Hugh Murray and Ian Ross.
The change immediately sparked Saints into life as they took control of the game
before opening the scoring on the hour mark in sensational style.
Mark Yardley picked the ball up 40 yards from goal and, after looking at his
options, brought the ball forward before curling a tremendous left footed effort
from 25 yards into David Wylie’s top left hand corner. An incredible piece of
skill from Yard’s and a goal of the season contender before the season has
even started.
Minutes later he could’ve, and should’ve,added a second. Iain Nicolson
linked up well with Tom Brown on the right wing and his pinpoint cross was met
by Yards who glanced his header wide.
With 20 minutes remaining though,Clyde pulled level. Brown lost possession on
the halfway line and with Clyde on the counter attack,Barry McLaughlin was
forced to put the ball behind. From Mitchell’s resultant corner Craig Cranmer
lost his marker and headed the ball past Roy and into the net.
This wasn’t the last effect that Mitchell, a second half substitute, had on
the game. Minutes later he managed to beat Mark Yardley to a Tom Brown cross and
put the ball out for a corner. Chris Kerr then drifted the corner in to Iain
Nicolson whose first time shot was cleared off the line by Mitchell.
There was enough time for just one more chance- when Ludo Roy was forced into an
excellent save from a Carrigan volley- before referee, Brian McGarry, called
time on this,typically, dull pre-season affair.
Clyde: Wylie, Hay, Cranmer, Spittal, Smith, Farrell, Carrigan, McClay, Woods,
McCusker, Craib Subs: Barrett, Ross, Mitchell, McDonald
St.Mirren: Roy, Nicolson, Kerr, Turner, McLaughlin, S.Walker, Trialist- Porteous
(Ross, 46), Trialist- J.Walker (Murray, 46), McGarry, Brown, Yardley Subs not
used: Baltacha, Robinson, Rudden
Sizzling Saint:
A poor game with very few players shining. Hugh Murray and Ian Ross injected a
bit of life into the game and look like a good pairing in midfield but even if
it is only for one moment of magic, I’ll award it to
Mark Yardley.
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