St. Johnstone v Clyde

Recap

Clyde wanted to set the record straight at Perth having failed to perform against their Paisley rivals so far this season. McGowan returned from suspension, Jarvie started in goal and Williams did not feature. Stevie Masterton made a welcome return to the substitutes bench.

On an unusually pleasant day in Perth it was the hosts who started the game in better form. Ex Bully Wee man Simon Mensing was causing problems on the right hand side of midfield and had a goal bound effort superbly blocked by Malone after only 5 minutes.

Clyde’s involvement in the game was almost non-existent and Martin Hardie and Jason Scotland were finding possession high up the field too easily, although they were not really threatening Paul Jarvie in the Clyde goal. On 20 minutes Harris was forced to come off injured and Masterton made his return from injury.

Seconds later and St Johnstone should have opened the scoring, after good build up play, Paul Sheerin somehow put his diving header wide from 6 yards, when it looked easier to score.

The home side continued to press forward and Sheerin again was unlucky when a sweetly struck volley was blocked by the back of Craig McKeown to force one of St Johnstone’s many 1st half corners.2 minutes later and the home side’s dominance finally paid off. After McGowan failed to clear the ball, danger man Sheerin crossed the ball in and Mensing slotted the ball away from 6 yards.

Clyde looked to bounce straight back and a deflected drive from Masterton went narrowly wide. The same player was the first player to fall foul of the referee when he was booked for a late but hardly malicious tackle.On the stroke of half time, Jason Scotland again broke free of the defence but his shot was well saved by Jarvie.Clyde could count themselves very lucky only to be 1 goal down at the break and surely harsh words awaited the players as they trooped off.

McHale was replaced by Bouadji.Clyde looked much more up for the game in the second half, and it wouldn’t have been hard. Imrie and Masterton both had unsuccessful efforts in the first 7 minutes, and even a half hearted penalty claim when Mensing out muscled the hard working Imrie in the box.

Although Clyde were posing more problems the game had opened out more and St Johnstone were dangerous, with Scotland firing another shot into the arms of Jarvie. On 68 minutes O’Donnell became the second Clyde player booked for blocking off John Henry.Masterton was trying more than anyone to turn the deficit around and saw another rasping drive from the edge of the area go narrowly wide.

Clyde’s initial reaction had petered out somewhat with possession being wasted up front particularly by the out of sorts Brighton.With only a couple of minutes remaining, one of the rare pieces of skill was on show when Stanic made a tremendous run into the Clyde box, squared for the unmarked Winter who saw his shot well saved by Jarvie.

The last of the action would however be Clyde’s. A free kick 25 yards from goal with seconds remaining saw Malone hit a superb drive right towards the top left and corner, but Saints keeper Glennon somehow managed to get a fingertip to it and turn it away for another non-productive corner.

The final whistle blew and Clyde had almost escaped with a point that they did not deserve. Possibly their worst league performance of the season and too many players out of form and sorts. The only consolation is that next weeks visit from Airdrie cannot possibly be this bad.

Jarvie *** Poor kicking but no chance at goal and pulled off a couple of good stops.
Harris ** Forced off through injury after 20 minutes.
Malone **** Revelling in Captains role and one of a select few who had a decent afternoon.
Higgins **** After ropey start, came into game well, although guilty of a couple of mis placed passes.
McKeown *** Like the rest of the defence struggled somewhat and has had much better afternoons.
McHale ** Never shirked responsibilities, but struggled to impose himself on game and passing was poor.
Bryson *** Not as prominent as in recent weeks, but through no lack of effort.
O’Donnell ** Hard afternoon, looks to be running on empty at the moment.
Imrie *** Chased everything, but never linked well with Brighton and caught offside too frequently.
Brighton * The proverbial ‘mare. Hopefully the big man knows this and will realise he wont move anywhere on this form.
McGowan ** Has been far more conservative in his positioning recently, forcing more difficult passes that are going astray. Getting crosses in from advance areas is his strongpoint, and none of it was on show today.

Subs
Masterton *** Welcome return from injury and played well. Unlucky to be booked.
Bouadji *** Made defence more solid.
McDonald * 12 minutes to impress and barely touched ball.