St.Mirren U 21's - v - Kilmarnock U 21's - SPL Under 21 League: Date 18/12/00

This match saw the return of Ludovic Roy and that was just about the only bright point of the match. Saints had first teamers Yardley, Kerr, Paeslack, Baltacha, Quitongo, Roy and McGarry all on the park from the start, whilst Kilmarnock's only real first teamers were Ally McCoist and Jerome Veraille. The only other real points of note before kick off were, that, both Steve McGarry and Ally McCoist had lined up in midfield.

St. Mirren did actually have four chances during the first half, one of which being the best opportunity of the match for either side, although it did take until the 21st minute for the first chance to come. Yardley, Dolan and Baltacha all had worthwhile efforts, while Steven McGarry's 26th minute strike, which went straight at the keeper, looked nothing short of an effort from someone who is very low in confidence. Kilmarnock, on the other hand had five efforts worthy of mention, that is even before you mention their goals. McCoist and Beesley both came close and in between those two we saw Ludo make a superb save from a James Fowler header. Next up was Fowler again who ran at least 50 yards, after a throw in broke down in the Kilmarnock half, and was unlucky not to score. Ally McCoist also added a header off of the far post in the 41st minute.

We now come to the Kilmarnock first half goals. The first goal, coming in 29 minutes, saw Jerome Veraille given space with his back  to goal, space he was afforded all game long, only to turn and drive the ball past Roy from 13 yards. Their second goal was scored by James Fowler from 10 yards.

Half time came and the only consolation of knowing their was 45 minutes to come was that it was only 45 minutes.

"How many worthy chances did we have during the second half?" That is the question that I can hear you all asking...the answer is one. For this one chance, St. Mirren worked the ball down the left wing and as the cross came over it looked as if Jens Paeslack only had to direct his header either side of the keeper...unfortunately Jens headed the ball at the keeper and the chance was lost. If the latter was a book by Stephen King then Kilmarnock's second half story was something more akin to a soothing children's tale. Four goals and another two shots on target saw Kilmarnock give St. Mirren a lesson in pressure, control and finishing.

The tale of woe that was the second half saw Kilmarnock score in the 62nd, 65th, 69th and 79th minutes. Goals 3, 4 and 5 came fairly easily and were scored by Smith, Henderson and Smith again, the fourth goal was a different matter though. If their had been defensive lapses during the first 5 goals...and their had...then the defensive lapse by Ryan Robinson, which led to goal number 6, totally ecliped all of them. A simple defensive clearance turned into a dissaster as Ryan managed to loose the ball and, substitute, Chris Boyd rounded Ludo before slotting the ball home. 

Overall this had to be one of the more disappointing Under 21 performances with individual errors by first team players totally undoing any good work by the younger talent on display. Chris Dolan, David Jack and Simon Lappin all acquited themselves very well, just as they have all season, and they constantly tried to play football and definitely look like the future of St. Mirren Football Club.

For the returing players, Chris Kerr and Ludo Roy it was a story of quality from start to finish. Chris showed that he is well on the way to a first team return and was totally reliable, even playing on the left of a three man central defence. For Ludovic Roy it was a match which most goalkeepers will have at one point or other as a series of brilliant saves were ruled out by slack defending in front.

Steven McGarry looked quite good in midfield early on, but an inability to release the ball at key points hampered his play and the development of any moves which St. Mirren did manage to get going.

Of the first team players Mark Yardley really only got pass marks as he managed to win virtually every header and show he's not only a target man with some good ground work, if only he'd added a goal. Jose Quitongo will never lack enthusiasm and if he can learn to keep his feet I'm sure we'll see the best of him. For Jens Paeslack...well this is an official match report so there isn't a lot I can say about Jens. His pre-match warm up is very impressive with a display of keepie ups, Cruyff and other turns plus some good play during the small field touch match and he even puts in a few sprints...then the match starts.

Man Of The Match: Ludovic Roy gets my vote and it is probably the easiest vote I will ever give. His second half save from an Andy Smith header was no less great than that of Gordon Banks from Pele in 1970 and overall he did everything asked of him.