Five games unbeaten

By Chris MacMillan
December 14 2004

Airdrie United and St Johnstone could not break each other down in a 0-0 stalemate at New Broomfield.

The best chances fell to Airdrie with Jerome Vareille closest to a breakthrough. We had another SPL rated referee in charge of this game and I have never seen a referee so determined to stop any form of open play through out the whole game. In a game with no booking the game was lucky to have seen the ball in play for any longer than 70 minutes. If this is what the results are of the SFL directors complaining about the standard of refereeing then maybe they should keep quiet.

There was not much action to speak of in either half but Jerome on six minutes almost set Willie McLaren up, Varielle sent an excellent cross in to the penalty box but the young winger's effort was rushed and he volleyed over the crossbar. St Johnstone surrendered the mid-field to Jerome, David Dunn, Marvyn Wilson and Willie McLaren but although we kept attacking we could not break down the St Johnstone defence.

After 21 minutes David Dunn forced St Johnstone goalkeeper Alan McGregor, who is about to return to his club after his loan period ends, into a fine save with a 20-yard free-kick.

There was little else of note in the first half the game was being played like a journey along the M8 in rush hour, start, stop, start, stop and although both sides raised  their game in the second half this game now had 0-0 written all over it.

Few chances were created in the second half for either team. But the abysmal refereeing display from the man in the middle slowed the game to a pedestrian walk. After 53 minutes a Mark Roberts cross was flicked on by Owen Coyle and Vareille, at the far post, struck a powerful volley that hit the upright. With five minutes remaining Chris Hay almost stole three points for the visitors when he controlled the ball in the penalty area but thankfully shot wide.

Strange that every time we have played St Johnstone this season the games seem to have taken on a surreal affect, no atmosphere passionless games that just seem to drag on for hours.

In saying that we have now gone five games unbeaten and managed to keep a clean sheet during the game so there are some things to be grateful for.