Match Report By Neil Martin

The Saints returned home to the Tompkins Cauldron of Fear brimming with confidence after a solid start to the season that has yielded them two wins from as many outings.

Andy Thorburn and Brett Lambert returned to the starting line up for the Saints whilst Elido Biletic and Dave Evans were unavailable due to work commitments. The Jacks came into the match after recording their first points of the 2008 campaign with an impressive 3-0 win over Sorrento Bobs last weekend.

From the outset the Saints applied pressure to The Jacks by closing them down quickly and allowing them little time to settle on the ball. The pressure kept the ball in The Jacks half and did not allow them to press forward with any conviction.

The Saints took a deserved lead after just 12 minutes when Graham Cameron opened the scoring with a clinical finish. More was to follow just eight minutes later when Cameron registered his and the Saints second after a series of quality passes found the Saints diminutive striker with just the keeper to beat.

It became apparent that the Saints had come to play today and most of the passing was a treat to watch. The work rate from the Saints was first class and their opponents must have wondered what had hit them after Andy Thorburn delivered a pin point 35 yard ball to the feet of Cameron who notched his hat trick at the 39 minute mark to give the Saints a 3-0 lead going into the half time break. It was a pulsating first 45 minutes from the Saints who had winners all over the park with The Jacks simply unable to match the boys in blue.

The start of the second half brought no respite for The Jacks as the Saints continued their assault on the visitors. Cameron scored his and the Saints fourth after yet another terrific build up just two minutes after the restart.

The Saints defence of Stuart Russell, Gary Collins, Iain Deans, Nigel Sayers, Andy Ryder and Ewald Ringer comfortably dealt with anything that The Jacks could throw at them whilst keeper Brett “The Cat” Lambert swept up the crumbs with aplomb.

The Saints midfield of Alex Robertson, Ross Greer, Jim Kasdorf, Neil Martin and Thorburn worked tirelessly to shut The Jacks midfield out of the contest whilst the Saints front men Cameron and Adrian Scagnetti constantly created space to wreak havoc.

More pain was inflicted by the Saints when Cameron scored his fifth goal at the 72 minute mark after a lovely build up. The Saints were in no mood to rest on their laurels and yet another good move saw Thorburn put final nail in The Jacks coffin with a well taken goal just seven minutes later to give the Saints a 6-0 win in a polished performance that will be remembered for Cameron’s outstanding five goal haul. Certainly a memorable day all round for Cameron as he saw his beloved Celtic defeat Rangers later that night to breathe life back into the race for the SPL title.

A clean sheet in Masters Football is about as common as rocking horse droppings however Saints keeper Lambert earned the rare distinction to add to his CV. The only downside on the day for the Saints was a late hamstring injury to Kasdorf.

A splendid performance by the Saints who now sit top of the league with 3 wins from as many outings. In other round 3 games Chindits scored a late winner to down Balga 2-1, Ashfield won 5-4 against Perth Azzurri after trailing all day, Gosnells City overcame Wanneroo 2-1 after collecting a controversial late penalty, Sorrento Bobs registered their first points of the season after downing Perth Hills 2-1 whilst Melville City held Leeming Strikers to a 3-3 draw.

May 1, 2008