St.Mirren U 21's - v - Motherwell U 21's - SPL Under 21 League: Date 12/03/01

Helgaa Auna and Tom Stuart (spelling?) were St Mirren's two trialists for this match, which saw a fair number of first team squad members either on from the start or sitting on the bench. Derek Scrimgour, Jamie McGown, Barry McLaughlin, Gary Bowman, Mark Yardley, Steven McGarry, Iain Nicolson, Scott McKenzie and Maikel Renfrum were all involved at some point...not exactly what was in mind when people were talking about the need to develop youth players in the SPL. With so many players returning from injury, this was the only opportunity to give these players a run.

The first half was fairly even and St Mirren looked by far the team most likely to score. Mark Yardley, Steven McGarry, Jamie McGowan and Tom Stuart all came close to breaking the deadlock. With Mark Yardley causing many players problems in the air and the youngsters in midfield looking hungry for possession it was felt that it wouldn't be a goalless first half. Well, it wasn't a goalless first half, although it wouldn't take a genius at Hangman to tell you Motherwell's goal came ----- -- --- ------ -- ---- ---- (right on the stroke of half time). The first team seem to have developed a nack for losing goals just before half time, so the Under 21's decided to follow suit. Motherwell's goal came after a rather slack, to be overly kind, pass by Jamie McGowan had given possession away and John Goodman slotted the ball home. One - nil the half time score and yet St Mirren had looked the more lilely to score...how many times more must we see that in print this season?

The second half saw Maikel Renfrum come close on two occasions and Tom Stuart missed what can only be called an absolute sitter. Saints looked out of it during this half for some reason, which was strange as Renfrum, McKenzie and Nicolson had all been brought on at half time. For Motherwell it was a tale of doing very little and being gifted absolutely everything. Slack passing, lack of options and basic faults all caused Saints to lose another three goals before the end of the match. Pearson, Nicholas and Wood were the respective scorers for Motherwell and of the three it has to be said that the goal by Stephen Pearson was, quite frankly, a joke. I won't go into it in any detail as this season has been bad enough already.

So, four - nil the final score and not a lot to take from it. Norwegian, Helgaa Auna only played 45 minutes and there wasn't much happening at all. Yes, some of the returning players got run outs, but it's getting quite embarrasing with only two points so far in the Under 21 campaign. Up front, Yardley looked good and, although they were busy and looking for the ball, neither McGarry or Renfrum made much of a forward impact.

Man Of The Match: Steven McGarry although not his usual penetrative self, he did show that he was interested and looking to create.

Trialist Report: Helgaa Auna only played 45 minutes, so no real time to assess him. He did look solid at the back and made a few good tackles, plus won the ball in the air. He was played in the sweeper system and it's unfair to judge not knowing his experience in that position.

Tom Stuart had a number of opportunites, which he missed. Didn't really show enough to justify playing ahead of the youngsters already at the club.