Sandbank Rangers 2 vs 1 St Mirrenoff

<p>St Mirrenoff face up to Sandbank Rangers looking to go one better than the reverse fixture which ended in a 1-1 draw.<br /><br />Saints started well, using the excellent surface and the width of the pitch to create a number of openings with some attractive passing football. Unfortunately, they failed to apply the finishing touch that their patient build up play deserved. <br /><br />Midfielder Gordon McEwan came closest to opening the scoring for Saints when his 25 yard volley flew inches past the post with the keeper well beaten.<br /><br />Saints opened the scoring when David Wilson&rsquo;s corner fell to Ian Craig. His shot was blocked and the ball looped to Robert Hillcoat, who&rsquo;s volley from 12 yards found the back of the net.<br /><br />Saints goalkeeper John Kerr was having a comfortable day behind a solid defence and only had a couple of long range efforts which were easily dealt with.<br /><br />Saints were forced into a change early in the second half. McEwan failed to run off a knock from earlier in the game, and David Christie replaced him in midfield.<br /><br />St Mirrenoff could have doubled their lead when Craig Sinclair&rsquo;s chipped through ball sent Hillcoat away. With just the keeper to beat, Hillcoat curled the ball wide with the outside of his boot.<br /><br />Sandbank were given a way back into the game when Fraser Gray&rsquo;s challenge inside the box handed them a penalty. The Rangers striker placed the ball straight down the middle with Kerr diving to his right.<br /><br />St Mirrenoff continued to threaten and Wilson had their next chance. Collecting a pass on the corner of the penalty area, he nutmegged the defender and burst into the box. With Hillcoat waiting for a pass across goal, Wilson opted to shoot, but his effort could only find the side netting.<br /><br />With Saints pushing forward, Sandbank were looking dangerous on the counter attack. Breaking down the right wing, the ball was squared but the Rangers striker&rsquo;s effort was well held by goalkeeper Kerr.<br /><br />Saints had another opportunity to restore their lead when a cross fell to the unmarked Sinclair at the back post. Unfortunately for him, the ball wouldn&rsquo;t come down quick enough to get a clean shot away, allowing the Sandbank keeper to do enough to delay the shot and allow a defender to get back and block.<br /><br />A big slice of luck helped Sandbank take the lead. Another quick counter attack down the right flank released the striker who made it to the goal-line. With one Rangers player in the box closely marked, the cross looped over Kerr and went in at the far post.<br /><br />St Mirrenoff threw more men forward looking for an equaliser and were again almost caught out. Sandbank&rsquo;s striker prodding the ball beyond Kerr but Craig managed to get back and clear before the ball went over the line.<br /><br />The final chance of the match fell to Saints when a Wilson corner was flicked on by Christie, with sub Gareth Fairley just failing to get a touch at the back post.<br /><br />Saints manager Mark Syme said &ldquo;It was a great team performance and on another day, with the amount of chances we created, the game should have been over by half time.&rdquo;

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