Post by rich on Aug 10, 2006 8:35:22 GMT -1
Saints 2-0 Coventry - written by Rich 
The Pre - Match atmosphere at st marys was quite unique with saints hiring jim from eastenders to get the crowd going, some power anthems played out and he pranced around like an idiot, the saints fans merely sang over the music with much better songs, but once the match had started the saints players continued the theme of prancing around in a shakey first 20 minutes.
the play was rushed from the saints and lots of long balls were being played but these were cut out by the large centre back elliot ward.
rudi scakel was showing some fight and determination, not only running down the wings but making tackles and blocks too, and a through ball to bradley wright phillips almsot payed off as he poked beyond andy marshall but it went just wide.
coventry were playing for alot of corners and you could see why as they looked a real threat from set pieces and dele adebola rose to head but agonisingly hit the foot of the post.
the second half saw the saints fans turn the volume up and the atmosphere was electric and the saints players seemed to take note of this and upped their game and looked more dangerous.
on 60 minutes a free kick was earned 30 yards from goal in the centre of the pitch, rudi scakel stepped up to take it but 17 year old GARETH BALE pushed him aside and after scoring a stunning 25 yard free kick on sunday, he looked up and sweetly curled the ball over the wall and into the top left hand corner where it hit the post and flew in, 2 AWESOME free kicks in 4 days for a 17 year old.... not bad at all!
coventry were proving to be well drilled and hard to break down, and dele adebola was causing a bit of trouble, he got clean through only for kelvin davis to pull off a smart save.
bradley wright phillips went extremely close with a header but this was somehow headed off the line and with the saints fans in loud voice, they were exstatic to earn a penalty, elliot ward tripping gregorz rasiak in the box.
GREGORZ RASIAK got up and cooly sent the goalie the wrong way.
but john viafara almost capped a very dissapointing display by gifting coventry a late consolation, his back pass was short and stern john was one on one only for kelvin davis to produce another fine save.
gareth bale went off to a rapturous applause and after the match george burley said the following - 'the fans tonight were the best since ive been here, they really lifted the team.'
player ratings:
kelvin davis - 8 - pulled off 3 fine saves and looked good with his kicking apart from once occasion.
gareth bale - 8- capped an energetic display at left back with another awesome free kick, please dont go in januray!
pele - 6.5 - struggled to deal with the big men, but was calm and defended neatly
chris barid - 7- handled the big men ok and made one notably superb block.
alex ostlund - jesus - 7 - was pressured into going down the flanks too much and he struggled at this against a well drilled defence, impressed on defensive duties though.
djamel belmadi - 6 - showed good footwork but drifted a bit too much -
john viafara - 5 - a shocking display where he gave the ball away almost every time. he will get better in time when he gels with the other players
jermaine wright - 7 - pulled the strings in midfield as usual but want overly impressive
rudi scakel - 7.5 - really played with his heart on his sleeve and got stuck in, showed glimpses of class but ultimately will be better when his fitness is improved.
bradley wright - phillips - 7 - his quick feetwork was good and he made some good runs, alot of the through balls to him were cut out by the well drilled defence and with a weaker defence bradley will punish
gregroz rasiak - 7 - was a threat in the air but often stood and watched as crossed came in, took his penalty well
The Pre - Match atmosphere at st marys was quite unique with saints hiring jim from eastenders to get the crowd going, some power anthems played out and he pranced around like an idiot, the saints fans merely sang over the music with much better songs, but once the match had started the saints players continued the theme of prancing around in a shakey first 20 minutes.
the play was rushed from the saints and lots of long balls were being played but these were cut out by the large centre back elliot ward.
rudi scakel was showing some fight and determination, not only running down the wings but making tackles and blocks too, and a through ball to bradley wright phillips almsot payed off as he poked beyond andy marshall but it went just wide.
coventry were playing for alot of corners and you could see why as they looked a real threat from set pieces and dele adebola rose to head but agonisingly hit the foot of the post.
the second half saw the saints fans turn the volume up and the atmosphere was electric and the saints players seemed to take note of this and upped their game and looked more dangerous.
on 60 minutes a free kick was earned 30 yards from goal in the centre of the pitch, rudi scakel stepped up to take it but 17 year old GARETH BALE pushed him aside and after scoring a stunning 25 yard free kick on sunday, he looked up and sweetly curled the ball over the wall and into the top left hand corner where it hit the post and flew in, 2 AWESOME free kicks in 4 days for a 17 year old.... not bad at all!
coventry were proving to be well drilled and hard to break down, and dele adebola was causing a bit of trouble, he got clean through only for kelvin davis to pull off a smart save.
bradley wright phillips went extremely close with a header but this was somehow headed off the line and with the saints fans in loud voice, they were exstatic to earn a penalty, elliot ward tripping gregorz rasiak in the box.
GREGORZ RASIAK got up and cooly sent the goalie the wrong way.
but john viafara almost capped a very dissapointing display by gifting coventry a late consolation, his back pass was short and stern john was one on one only for kelvin davis to produce another fine save.
gareth bale went off to a rapturous applause and after the match george burley said the following - 'the fans tonight were the best since ive been here, they really lifted the team.'
player ratings:
kelvin davis - 8 - pulled off 3 fine saves and looked good with his kicking apart from once occasion.
gareth bale - 8- capped an energetic display at left back with another awesome free kick, please dont go in januray!
pele - 6.5 - struggled to deal with the big men, but was calm and defended neatly
chris barid - 7- handled the big men ok and made one notably superb block.
alex ostlund - jesus - 7 - was pressured into going down the flanks too much and he struggled at this against a well drilled defence, impressed on defensive duties though.
djamel belmadi - 6 - showed good footwork but drifted a bit too much -
john viafara - 5 - a shocking display where he gave the ball away almost every time. he will get better in time when he gels with the other players
jermaine wright - 7 - pulled the strings in midfield as usual but want overly impressive
rudi scakel - 7.5 - really played with his heart on his sleeve and got stuck in, showed glimpses of class but ultimately will be better when his fitness is improved.
bradley wright - phillips - 7 - his quick feetwork was good and he made some good runs, alot of the through balls to him were cut out by the well drilled defence and with a weaker defence bradley will punish
gregroz rasiak - 7 - was a threat in the air but often stood and watched as crossed came in, took his penalty well