Bells League Division 1
McDiarmid Park, Perth 22nd April 2006
St Johnstone 1
Mensing 84
Hamilton Accies 1
McArthur 1
REPORT BY APL
Manager Billy Reid fielded the same eleven from the previous week except leaving Carrigan on the bench and bringing back Wake. There was no trace of Scott Agnew and the selection of Tunbridge was surprising to say the least unless he was “in the window.” Others on the bench were McLaughlin, Galloway, Torres and Jellema.
Accies got off to the best possible start with a counter after just 53 seconds. This arose when a through ball was put back to the Saints keeper who fumbled right into the path of James McArthur who promptly delivered into the vacant goal. His obvious delight at scoring was a justification for his work rate over this season.
Saints then had a period of ascendancy with Scotland behind most of the moves. A shot from Sheerin hit the bar with McEwan beaten all ends up. The ball rebounded straight to Coyle who netted but was ruled offside. Then Wake handled and from the free kick James McArthur flashed a header wide of the goal. Getting near the interval Accies caused a scare in the home goal when a high lob bounced about before being cleared.
Half-time saw Ferguson subbed by Marko although he did not appear to be injured. The swirling wind was causing havoc particularly with dead ball kicks. From a Saints free kick McEwan twice did well with clearances. There was then a centre field incident when Rutkiewicz clearly punched Wake on the ground but when the dust settled there was only a yellow card. Then Gilhaney who was being starved of the ball flashed a great cross across the Saints goal but there were no takers. The equaliser arrived in the 84th minute but should never have been allowed. There was a clear foul on an Accies player, ignored by the ref but some of our defenders had hesitated waiting on the foul. The ball was played to Mensing who fired into the far corner of McEwan’s goal. In the closing minutes Gilhaney placed a lovely cross right on to the head of Wake but his effort sailed over the bar.
The game ended in a 1 – 1 draw which was probably fair to both sides. Our defence was very sound with Thomson strolling through the game and Elebert and Fleming very consistent. Neil showed his class as usual but the forwards were ineffective. Juanjo and Tunbridge showed little or no urgency. The recent good spell of results continues and satisfied the 100 or so Accies fans in attendance.
St Johnstone: Glennon, Stevenson (Winter), Stanic, Anderson (McCallum), Rutkiewicz, James, Mensing, Sheridan (Janczyk), Coyle, Scotland, Sheerin.
Goals: Mensing (84)
Booked: Sheridan and Rutkiewicz.
Hamilton: McEwan, Ferguson (McLaughlin), Fleming, Elebert, Thomson, McArthur, Neil, Juanjo (Torres), Gilhaney, Wake, Tunbridge
Goals: McArthur (1)
Booked: Thomson
Att: 2235
Ref: B Winter, Motherwell
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