Match report

Saturday, 07 November 2009
Saints edged out at Pittodrie

Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Aberdeen (2) v Saints (1)
Attendance [10,894]

Left: Liam Craig hooks the ball home for the equaliser.



There were two changes to the side for this afternoon’s match at Pittodrie with Kenny Deuchar and Filipe Morais dropping out to be replaced by Jonaton Johansson and Chris Millar. Collin Samuel was deemed fit enough to play.

Aberdeen were on the front foot from kick off and fired in three early crosses which Saints were stretched to clear and Aluko fired an effort into the side net after picking up a long pass.

Saints first effort on the home side’s goal came after five minutes and it was Collin Samuel who fired a drive not far wide.

There was an early injury blow for Saints when Graham Gartland took a knock and had to be replaced Steven Anderson.

Aberdeen enjoyed a brighter opening than Saints and were rewarded when they took the lead in 15 minutes although it was a break away goal.

It came following a Saints free kick given after Collin Samuel had been fouled by Ifel and after Liam Craig’s kick had been cleared, Pawlett sped away, leaving Danny Grainger in his wake. He then fed Sone Aluko at the edge of the box who turned and beat a couple of challenges before planting the ball home low.

Graeme Smith was called into action again in 28 minutes when he got down to deny Pawlett who had sped away at the end of a Saints move and it was clear that Saints were struggling to deal with The Dons’ breakaway moves.

Smith was again behind a Pawlett drive from the edge of the box in 33 minutes.

Six minutes before the break, Saints forced a corner after a good passage of play but Liam Craig’s corner was punched clear by Langfield to Morris and after the two Saints exchanged passes, Jody fired the ball well over the bar.

A Murray Davidson was comfortably held by Jamie Langfield as a poor first half for Saints drew to a close.

After such a disappointing performance in first half it was little surprise that Saints made a change at half-time – Kenny Deuchar coming on for Jonaton Johansson at the start of the second half.

However, it was Aberdeen’s half-time substitute Darren Mackie who looked the sharper substitute, twice having efforts on goal in the opening spell of the second half – the first of which rattled to the outside of the post from a tight angle.

Graeme Smith was forced into a good save ten minutes after the restart when he tipped over a Jerel Ifill effort but Saints had started the second half better than they had played in the first and in 58 minutes we had our best chance of the match to that point when Kenny Deuchar headed the ball past Langfield but his effort was cleared right on the line by Ifill.

Saints were a much better proposition in the second half but poor delivery too often ended the threats they were posing to the home defence.

With 18 minutes remaining, Ifell was again called upon to save his side when he cleared off the line again after a Kevin Rutkiewicz scissor kick saw the ball float over Langfield’s head

Saints improved second half performance brought an equaliser in 76 minutes and it was a controversial one. David Mackay swung over a cross which Kenny Deuchar challenged Jamie Langfield for and in truth plenty of referees would have opted to protect the goalkeeper by giving a free kick but Euan Norris was not moved and when Liam Craig lashed home the loose ball there was disbelief in the home ranks when the goal was allowed to stand.

However, if Aberdeen fans felt a sense of injustice, they didn’t have long to dwell on it as they were back in front just seven minutes later via the penalty spot.

Danny Grainger was the man penalised for a fairly soft looking aerial tangle with Lee Miller as Murray Davidson booted the ball clear and the Aberdeen player dusted himself down and duly despatched the spot kick.

Saints immediately brought on Filipe Morais for Collin Samuel but it was nearly 3-1 moments later when Michael Paton hit a 30 yarder which cracked off Graeme Smith’s cross bar and away from danger.

Steven Anderson perhaps could have done better with a header from a Liam Craig cross and it signalled an almighty scramble as Saints sought to get back on level terms in the dying seconds.

Filipe Morais came within an inch on getting on the end of a Morris ball into the box and the Portuguese man then turned creator for Murray Davidson whose header was deflected behind for a corner kick which was cleared.

A further period of Saints pressure in injury time almost brought an equaliser but Morais’ final effort was just over the bar and the points were gone.


SAINTS: Smith, Mackay, Grainger, Morris, Rutkiewicz, Gartland (Anderson), Millar, Davidson, Craig, Samuel (Morais), Johansson (Deuchar).
Subs not used: Main, Hardie, Durnan, Reynolds

ABERDEEN: Langfield, Mulgrew, Foster, McDonald, Considine, Kerr, Ifill, Pawlett (Wright), Miller, Paton, Aluko (Mackie).
Subs not used: Bain, Young, Duff, Grassi, Crawford
Referee: Euan Norris

Att:10,894

PHOTOS
Top - Liam Craig celebrates his goal
Bottom - Derek Mcinnes gives his thoughts on the award of a penalty to Aberdeen to referee Euan Norris