Match Report By Gary Collins

Saints traveled to the Ashfield Sports Ground for the second time during season 2009 to take on a Chindits team struggling to regain the form that saw them provide stiff opposition last season.

It became clear as the 1.00pm kick-off time approached that despite the Chindits lowly league position, the Saints would need to work hard to take the points.  As the referee blew for the start of the game the Saints had just nine players on the park.

With a two-man advantage it was no surprise when the Chindits took the lead within ten minutes of the start.  A long high ball into the heart of the Saints defence, low, bright sunlight making it difficult to see the ball and a mix-up between central defenders Nigel Sayers and Steve Ioannou resulted in a delicate chip courtesy of Sayers over the head of the advancing Brett ‘the Cat’ Lambert into the un-manned Saints goal.

Despite conceding an early own goal, the Saints played controlled football and denied Chindits further chances while waiting for reinforcements to arrive.  The Saints numbers increased by one around the 20 minute mark when Ewald Ringer arrived from a late starting junior game.  The addition of the Austrian tyro brought early dividends when the hard-working Nick Norton provided the ball to Graham Cameron for the Tartan Terror to slip in the equalizer.
 
The Saints midfield duo of Steve Walker and Nigel Mann worked tirelessly throughout the first half as the now ten-man Saints gradually gained the upper hand.  It was no surprise when from a corner kick close to the half-time break, Walker played a pinpoint ball to the far post where man-mountain Ioannou rose high to head the ball home.

A 2-1 lead to the Saints at half-time, but with 45 minutes remaining and still a man down there was much work to be done.

The start of the second half was delayed while Chindits officials decided whether to provide a linesman for the under-strength Saints outfit.  After some discussion a linesman was found and the game recommenced.  Within minutes the Saints had increased the lead when the peripatetic Cameron popped up on the right flank and laid the ball in close to goal for Ringer to tap in.

The Saints were soon able to field a full-strength outfit for the first time during the match when ‘Bondy’ Ryder arrived fresh from under 15s coaching duties.  No sooner had the number 7 taken up his spot on the left hand side of midfield than he was collecting the Chindits upright as he poked the ball into the net.  Again it was the livewire Cameron who did the work out wide on the right and fed the ball into the space to connect with Ryder’s run.

A 4-1 lead to the Saints and what had started as a hard slog for the nine-man Saints seemed to be turning into a more comfortable afternoon.

However, just as the Saints appeared to be cruising towards a comfortable win, the Chindits players seemed to realise that their opposition were starting to tire and that the efforts of playing for nearly two thirds of the match without a full complement was taking its toll.

The Chindits pressure eventually paid off when a series of short passes close to goal left the Saints back four flat-footed and allowed for a tap in past ‘the Cat’.

For a short period after the Chindits second goal it looked like the home side would score again as they continued to push forward.  The work of the Saints back four during this period was commendable and after repelling yet another Chindits attack, the ball was played quickly down field where Cameron was on hand to set –up Norton for the Saints fifth goal. 

Although this reporter receives many requests from Saints players keen to ‘talk-up’ their performance so that they feature prominently in the widely read match reports, none of these requests have been as bold and blatant as Nick Norton’s message on this reporter’s Blackberry this morning.  To quote in full………”Hi Gary, don’t forget the 5th goal was a pin point accurate curl into the top left hand corner of the goalkeeper’s net…...can’t have Cameron stealing the headlines every match now can we.”  In Norton’s defence, his description of the goal is accurate – it was a fine strike.  His comments about the Scottish terrier also strike a chord – it’s difficult to find the descriptions and superlatives week in and week out for the wee man.  This week is no different as Cameron scored the Saints final goal after receiving a fine ball from man-of-the-match Steve Walker.  Cameron raced into the Chindits half with defenders struggling in his wake, rounded the ‘keeper and slotted the ball home.

Chindits scored a third goal close the final whistle as the Saints wearied, but by then the win was secure.

A good win for the Saints with the all-round team performance providing the platform for the victory.  Excellent work from Walker and Mann in midfield and another stellar effort by Cameron who scored two and set-up another three (sorry Nick).

Nothing comedic about this week’s match report – like the game a hard slog to achieve a good honest result.

Team:                         Cameron, Collins, Deans, Ioannou, Lambert, Mann, Norton, Ringer, Ryder, Sayers, Walker

Scorers:                     Cameron (26, 80), Ioannou (39), Ringer (52), Ryder (59), Norton (70)

Reporter’s Best:        Walker, Mann and Cameron

Next Game

Another Saturday fixture for the Saint’s next game against the strong performing Leeming Strikers outfit. 

Saturday 13 June home to Leeming Strikers – 3.00pm kick-off.

 

 

And now for something completely different…………………..……Although this week’s match report has avoided the corny jokes of previous weeks, we can’t provide the report without giving homage to our favourite ladies teams.  This week we again feature the ARSEnal ladies social side as they make their way onto the pitch for a recent game.

 

 

 

 

June 6, 2009