Erin Cup Tourney - Edinburgh 9 October 1999 Report Sizzling Saints
day started at 8-00am at the Caledonia Street Stand. Some apprehensive looks from
the assembled squad but they needn't have worried. This was to be a day for a
glorious failure for the SS team. After getting stripped SS sat on the sidelines and took in the first old firm derby of the
season. It was clear that Celtic were very strong. In particular it was noted
that their big, baldy (sorry mate!!) midfielder had a touch of class about him as well as
some very pacey wide men. Indeed Celtic ran out 2-0 winners in the game. It was then
time for SS to take the stage.
Rangers obviously realised that their
tourney could be over and produced a spell of sustained pressure on the SS goal. Right on halftime Gers got a free kick from which
Gloves superbly tipped a header round the post. From the resulting corner Rangers
did get the ball in the net to make it 3-1. Final score 4-1 to SS and the other teams on the sidelines were taking notes!!
SS v Celtic
The game kicked off and again SS were looking impressive although aided by a strong breeze which had kicked up in our favour. The game was very competitive and the pace of SS were causing the Celtic defence all sorts of problems. The goal came midway through the first half when a misplaced pass was pounced on by Mark Logue who streaked clear of the last defender to slot the ball home. 1-0 to Saints and thats the way it stayed until half time.
By the look of our faces you would have
thought it was a defeat. A creditable performance nevertheless and even more
significant given the final outcome of the tourney. SS v QPR
The second half was very similar to the first but SS contrived to miss a few chances. SS however were soon 2-0 to the good when a fierce shot from Anton McIver found the net. Van Haddock put SS 3-0 up when he volleyed home from an acute angle after a cross by Anthony McIver. SS went all out for the fourth but the keeper pulled off a fine save from Anto in the final minute when it looked easier to score the resulting rebound should have been put away but somehow Haddock put the ball wide. Final whistle 3-0 to SS and a tougher game than we expected. So SS came second in the group on goal difference and were to play the home team - Hibs - in the semi. The other semi was Dunfermline v Celtic. No respite between games this time and it was straight into the action. Semi Final SS v Hibs
Saints tried to get into the game but it was clear that tiredness was taking its toll on both sides. The quality of the football was indeed poor and Saints had neglected their passing game which had borne fruit during the group stage. Into the second half and more of the same. The Hibs No2 (another Baldy!!) was having a fine game containing the threat from Van Haddock up front. SS thought it was all over when Hibs were awarded yet another penalty for a push by keeper Chris Robinson. No complaints this time from the players however the penalty was blazed over the bar. Was this the turning point? SS went on the offensive and with a few minutes left a flighted cross from Craig was met on the volley by Iain Cochrane but the ball squeezed agonisingly by the post. The final whistle sounded and SS were out. Maybe just as well because there was very little petrol left in the tank. Indeed rather than watch the final the players decided to head for the comfort of the dressing room and a beer courtesy of Harpo. The final was won 4-0 by Celtic who defeated Parcelona 3-0 in the semi final. So, a glorious failure by the Sizzling Saints who could hold their heads up. The only team to get a
result and a goal against the tourney winners Celtic who were quoted on the euronet news
group saying A big thanks to the other teams taking part too and Willie (Hibs) and Lynne (Pars) for the excellent organisation. SS enjoyed the experience and hope to meet you all again in the very near future. The SS Squad: Mark G, Crawford, TB&WT, Harpo, Jimbo, Mark L, Antony McI, Brian McN, Iain C, Chris R, Tommy, Kenny M, Andy M, Bobby F, Craig, Ben Fica The Stats Group One
Celtic 2 v 0 Rangers Group Two
Dunfermline 1 v 1 Ayr
United Celtic 3 v 0 Dunfemline Match report by TB&WT and
subsequently corrected by Van Haddock and Gloves (thanks guys!) |
SS Saints immediately took the game to Rangers and scored inside the
first couple of minutes courtesy of Marko Van Haddock who's slightly mis hit shot deceived
the keeper. Rangers tried to get back into the game but it was soon two nil when a
defensive error allowed the other half of the 'dream team' strike partnership - Mark Logue
- through on goal and he slotted home off the inside of the post.
Minutes later Van Haddock
dispossessed a gers defender, ran on, squared it to Logie who skinned his man and
selflessly and played it back to Van Haddock who first timed it into the corner. 3-0
and 'one of the finest goals I've ever been involved in' said Van Haddock.
So, back to the sidelines for SS to take in the next group game - Celtic v QPR. QPR were
rumoured to be very good but were taken apart by a rampant Celtic side. In
particular QPR goalie looked (being kind) rather pre-occupied. Maybe QPR had too
much to drink with the Celtic lads the night before or they were slipped mickey fins but
really if this game was a boxing contest it would have been stopped in the first
round. Final score Celtic 5 QPR 0. Next up SS would
face Celtic and we were looking forward to it with some confidence.
The
Celtic huddle (singing hail, hail etc) was matched by a SS
huddle with the now famous 'Good to...Good to be... chant - probably much to the surprise
of the Celts. But the gauntlet was thrown down!!
For
the second half Celtic made some tactical changes. On came Baldy to bolster their
midfield and with the wind at their back Celtic played the game in SS
half. SS found it difficult to clear their lines and it
was evident that this was going to be a backs to the wall job. Brian McNelis was playing a
blinder keeping the Celtic strike force at bay however Harpo made the change to go
five at the back. It seemed to be working and the game drifted closer to the final
whistle. When Celtic forced a corner in the final minute it was to be their last
chance. The ball was swung over and Baldy (who else!!) powered a bullet header into
the roof of the net. 1-1. The game ended with the kick off from the goal.
Final score SS 1 Celtic 1.
So, back to the sidelines again to watch the battle of the
Rangers. This game was much more even but the QPR goalie was obviously still drunk (or a
reincarnation of Dropsy!!) because he gifted at least two goals to Rangers. The two
Marks mouths were watering and each could see a hat trick with this goalie!! Unfortunately
after gifting Rangers the third goal he was injured in the process and was carried
off. The replacement goalie (although we only saw five minutes of him) was much
better and wiped the smile off the dream team! QPR pulled a goal back however and
it finished 3-1 to Rangers but not before a handbags at 10 paces fracas which saw Rangers
full back sprint 100 yards to get involved. So on to SS
final group game and by now it was clear that we had already qualified for the semis but
we had to beat QPR by four clear goals to top the group.
It
is not in the style of SS to take it easy and just play out
the game. We wanted to top the group however by this time QPR were beginning to
find their feet. Or maybe the hangovers were beginning to subside. SS despite a plethora of chances just couldn't find the
net. Possibly the closest SS came to scoring was from a Van Haddock free kick on the
edge of the box after the tiger was upended. Haddock curled the free kick and it was
goalbound but the QPR stand in keeper pulled off a fine save and tipped the shot round the
post. 
Straight
from kick off Hibs made for SS goal and their striker got the
ball in the box. He was tackled by Tommy who appeared to make contact with the ball
but we could have been forgiven for thinking that the Hibs forward was wearing swimming
trunks when he swallow dived from a standing position. The ref gave the penalty
which, wind assisted, was powered home by the Hibbee despite a valiant attempt by Gloves
in the Saints goal. 1-0 to Hibs.