Disappointing Day for United
Andrew Adam CELEBRATES HIS OPENER FOR THORNTON ©2022 MATT HOOPER
St Andrews United hosted Thornton Hibs without four key players due to suspension and injury so Fraser Anderson and Ross Cunningham were asked to play as wing backs, whilst manager Barry Cockburn opted to start with three at the back.
Unfortunately, the visitors made the most of that disruption in the United ranks and the men in green and white dominated proceedings throughout the first half. Jake Grady did get behind the Thornton rear-guard on one occasion early in the match but his cross was cleared and the action quickly moved towards the other end of the park.
Kieran Dall missed a great chance at the back post before veteran Garry Thomson hit a couple of shots narrowly wide. Hibs then took a deserved lead in the 25th minute when Kyle Moran could only clear as far as Andrew Adam and the bearded midfielder lifted the ball over the young goalie’s head to make the score 1-0.
Thomson and Jordan Lamont went on to test Moran with further efforts as half time approached yet St Andrews United gradually grew into the contest. The impressive Lewis Sawers earned two free kicks that came to nothing and Grady was denied by a header off the line as well as a late offside call from referee Dickson.
Unfortunately, the visitors made the most of that disruption in the United ranks and the men in green and white dominated proceedings throughout the first half. Jake Grady did get behind the Thornton rear-guard on one occasion early in the match but his cross was cleared and the action quickly moved towards the other end of the park.
Kieran Dall missed a great chance at the back post before veteran Garry Thomson hit a couple of shots narrowly wide. Hibs then took a deserved lead in the 25th minute when Kyle Moran could only clear as far as Andrew Adam and the bearded midfielder lifted the ball over the young goalie’s head to make the score 1-0.
Thomson and Jordan Lamont went on to test Moran with further efforts as half time approached yet St Andrews United gradually grew into the contest. The impressive Lewis Sawers earned two free kicks that came to nothing and Grady was denied by a header off the line as well as a late offside call from referee Dickson.
ST ANDREWS STRUGGLED TO IMPOSE THEIR STYLE ON THE GAME ©2022 MATT HOOPER
Grady subsequently forced Thornton goalkeeper Ryan Linton into making a smart save at the front post in the first minute of the second half but the visitors grabbed a crucial send goal moments later. The Hibs players did well to work the ball down the left wing and Thomson managed to find the net from a tight angle in front of the changing pavilion.
The boys in the home side consequently suffered a dip in confidence for a spell thereafter and their opponents created a string of chances as a result. Nik Rendall headed a shot from Joe Kinninmonth off his own line, Dall hit the post, Thomson clipped the bar and Moran made two good saves from close-range.
St Andrews United boss Cockburn, who was operating without his usual assistant coaches in attendance, therefore switched formations to 4-4-2 and his team performed much better towards the end of the game.
Grady missed two half chances as Saints struggled to break down a well-organised Thornton defence and the last action of the afternoon resulted in Callum Macaulay receiving a yellow card for a frustrated challenge on substitute Jamie McNeish.
Alas, there were not many positives for Cockburn to take from a poor showing yet the return of the missing players can’t come soon enough.
The boys in the home side consequently suffered a dip in confidence for a spell thereafter and their opponents created a string of chances as a result. Nik Rendall headed a shot from Joe Kinninmonth off his own line, Dall hit the post, Thomson clipped the bar and Moran made two good saves from close-range.
St Andrews United boss Cockburn, who was operating without his usual assistant coaches in attendance, therefore switched formations to 4-4-2 and his team performed much better towards the end of the game.
Grady missed two half chances as Saints struggled to break down a well-organised Thornton defence and the last action of the afternoon resulted in Callum Macaulay receiving a yellow card for a frustrated challenge on substitute Jamie McNeish.
Alas, there were not many positives for Cockburn to take from a poor showing yet the return of the missing players can’t come soon enough.
ST ANDREWS UNITED HAVE 4 HOME GAMES REMAINING IN THE 2021-22 EOSFL 1ST DIVISION CONFERENCE A SEASON, THE NEXT ONE IS ON 19 FEBRUARY 2022 AND SHANK WILL HAVE COVERAGE OF ALL FOUR GAMES:
19 FEBRUARY ST ANDREWS UNITED V LEITH ATHLETIC
23 APRIL ST ANDREWS UNITED V DUNIPACE
7 MAY ST ANDREWS UNITED V COLDSTREAM
29 MAY - THE FINAL DAY OF THE SEASON: ST ANDREWS UNITED V DALKEITH THISTLE
19 FEBRUARY ST ANDREWS UNITED V LEITH ATHLETIC
23 APRIL ST ANDREWS UNITED V DUNIPACE
7 MAY ST ANDREWS UNITED V COLDSTREAM
29 MAY - THE FINAL DAY OF THE SEASON: ST ANDREWS UNITED V DALKEITH THISTLE
