Elgin City 2 v Saints B 0

[Northern saint]

A "home" match for me.

McLean and MacPherson were present watching from the stand.  If they hoped for some to come forward and stake a claim to be involved further, they would have been disappointed.  Certainly didn't look happy at the end.

Saints contained Chrystal, Ferguson, Max, Steven and Mylchreest who have played for the first team.  Some good, a lot indifferent.  Two subs, one a goalkeeper.  

Elgin started on top but Saints came into the game.  Some neat passing play and movement but no end product.  It was fifteen minutes before we had a shot on target.  Hepburn made a meal of a collecting a ball which went to Elgin.  He recovered to make a good point-blank block.  It delayed Elgin taking the lead by a minute.  Poor tackling allowed their player to get into the box near the byline and drill a ball across Hepburn into the far corner.  Well taken but there were three opportunities to prevent it, at least.   Saints upped their game but moved in disjointed pieces.  There were several good opportunities spurned.   The second half started with Saints in the ascendancy but again wasteful in front of goal.  Most telling was how often the ball broke to an Elgin player as an attack broke down.  Their second goal was bad.  Poor defending on the right saw a ball in.  Hepburn appeared to have it easily but waited for it.  The attacker didn't.  He went for it and scored.  Saints tried to get back, some more pressing, pushing more forward but every gilt-edged chance went outside the goal frame.  

The good:  Liam encouraging, not screaming at the players.  Some of the link up play was good.  Some skillful players.  A lot of endeavour and shouting for the ball (at least at the beginning).  Good close control on many occasions.

The bad:  The finishing.  The lack of pace caused so many problems whether defending or attacking.  So many woeful passes.  High balls we seldom won when passes to feet worked well.  Many of the players seemed so similar, in build, pace, there was no diversity of a game plan.  Too many were easily knocked from the ball. 

None looked first team material at the moment.  There was no Griffin, McClusky or Davidson to come into the side due to injuries and take the place permanently.  

This may be because of all the injuries, Saints haven't played or trained as a team.  The lack of meaningful football like the reserve league may have hindered their development.  

Elgin looked fitter, certainly more pace and had a better game plan, supported each other better in moves.  Their pitch used to be a quagmire due to it being so close to the River Lossie but it was in excellent shape.  

So some hope for the future but not for today.

 

[highlandsaint]

Having been at the game last night as well, I think you've given a very accurate summary of it.

The poor defending, lack of a killer pass and poor finishing was a mirror of the first team.

 

We spent the 2nd half right behind the dugout and it was refreshing to hear Liam encouraging the players to encourage each other and have a positive mindset.

[SaintPeter91]

How was Kucheryavi? I take it since he played, he won't feature on the weekend?

[highlandsaint]

He had a very good first half, faded a bit in the second.

He seemed to want to make the difficult pass at times when the simpler option outside to the overlapping full back in space was the obvious one.

Think a year on loan to a Championship team would benefit him, as in my opinion, he's not ready to be a first team starter