Disappointing result against Partick
Under pressure Steven MacLean attempts to keep hold of the ball in Saturday’s league clash St Johnstone ................. 1 Partick Thistle .............. 2 St Johnstone fans trundled home disappointed at the weekend after watching their side miss the opportunity to move into second in the Scottish Premiership.
Again heads were being scratched to determine why Saints failed to produce a performance against a team who have, up until recent weeks, struggled to make their mark on the league.
Warning signs were flashing across the Perth backline as early as the second minute. But recovering Brian Easton impressively lunged in on Ade Azeez to thwart the forward from a free strike at goal.
Partick Thistle’s team bus would have arrived at McDiarmid Park with a high degree of optimism having dispatched Dundee during the week.
Confidence levels were rightly raised in the 17th minute when Kris Doolan tapped in at the back post from a Danny Devine knock down following a deep corner kick.
Hallowe’en may well have been approaching but Saints were in no mood to let this contest turn into a Saturday afternoon horror show.
The fright was temporary, very temporary, as one minute later striker Steven MacLean was on hand to neatly guide low into the bottom corner.
David Wotherspoon’s build-up work was exquisite. While pumpkins were being designed across the country, the only carving the Perth midfielder was interested in was opening up the visiting defence.
His close control and skill created space