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Tuesday, October 13 Newmains Match Report
Saints headed down to East Mains in Lanarkshire to play Newmanins Utd at the second time of asking after last weeks match was postponed. We received a phone call at 08.30 to say that the pitch was a bit "soft" but the ref had OK'd it. On arrival it was decidedly "soft" and manger Steve Scott decided to change his team a little to cope better with the conditions.
They got off to the worst possible start by giving away a needless free kick out on the left in the first minute and then stood and watched as centre Airth rose unchallenged at the back post to head down and well out of Greg Sim's each. Saints replied with a Andy Courage snapshot which went high but Newmains had got such a lift from scoring so early that they were playing above themselves and giving Saints all sorts of problems on the heavy pitch.
A Phil Watson error allowed Greg Sim to save smartly at his far post but he had to be at his best on 20 mins.to tip over a screamer from their big no. 11 as it looked to be sneaking in under the bar. All Saints problems were of their own making as they struggled to get any fluency on such a heavy pitch. Slowly but surely after 25 mins more incisive passing was being shown and a good interchange between Alan Ogston and Richard Stainer allowed the centre to trouble the keeper with a fierce shot which was parried for a corner. Alan Ogston and Kris Downing worked it well and Phil Watson's header looked netbound but it struck the underside of the bar and was somehow scrambled away.
Saints were now dominating possession but were unable to capitalise on several openings. Kris Downing was now getting forward at every opportunity and a great run and shot just cleared the bar. With half-time approaching Saints again got sloppy but Greg Sim made a great save low to his left to keep the half-time score to one goal.
Saints upped the pace of the game from the start of the second half as Newmains now struggled to contain the movement of the Banchory team, and it was no surprise when Saints equalised in 54 minutes. It was patiently played through several players before reaching Shaun Carrol who took a touch before dispatching a 25 yarder high past the goalie who could barely have seen it. Shaun almost grabbed a second a minute later but for a good save by the goalkeeper as Banchory pushed hard for the second.
Lee Shanks came on for Neale Henderson to give fresh impetus to the midfield and on 68 minutes Lewis Shand strode forward, played a ball into the feet of Andy Courage, who totally mesmerised the defender with a lightning turn and the defender had no option but to take him down for a penalty. Andy took the spot kick himself and made it look easy to put Saints in front.
Newmains battled manfully to remain in the tie and only a super tip over from Sim kept out a well struck downward volley from sneaking in. Andy Courage went off injured to be replaced by Stuart Skinner as Saints looked to kill off the match with a third. Newmains were almost out on their feet but would not give in as they strived to get forward but Saints were opening them up and forcing them to cover the pitch as they kept a hold of the ball. Alan Ogston almost sealed it by beating two men and crashing a great drive which was well saved by the keeper. In the 93rd minute the tie was sealed when after another bought of passing allowed Stuart Skinner space in the box and he competantly drilled it past the home keeper.
A good away win for Saints on an extremely difficult surface. After a sloppy start they gradually took a stranglehold on the game and it was no surpise that they went through to the next round where they will play away to Aberdeen East End on the first saturday in November.
Team: Greg Sim, Kris Downing, Phil Watson, Mark Glashan, Lewis Shand, Alan Ogston, Alan McRae,(Kieron Graham), Neale Henderson ( Lee Shanks), Shaun Carrol, Andy Courage, (Stuart Skinner) Richard Stainer. Subs Justin Knowles.
WELCOME BACK LEITHY!!
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