Whitburn Juniors 2-1 St Andrews United

After what felt less like a short spell of bad weather and more like an extended off-season sabbatical, St Andrews United finally laced up their boots again and made the long awaited trip to Central Park to face Whitburn Juniors. Sadly, the return to action ended in familiar fashion, with Saints leaving with plenty to ponder after a 2–1 defeat.

Saints wasted no time in shaking off the cobwebs. Inside three minutes Graham went close from a tight angle, setting an encouraging early tone. Whitburn responded with a quick chance of their own, a snap shot drifting narrowly wide after a partially cleared header.

Much of Saints’ early promise came through new loan signing Zack Tomany, who was thrown straight into the starting line up following his move from Cowdenbeath. The pacy forward looked sharp and full of intent, and on 12 minutes produced a superb burst down the flank before fizzing a low cross across the face of goal that deserved a finishing touch.

Whitburn began to enjoy more possession as the half progressed, sending a series of dangerous balls into the box, but Saints defended stoutly. A back post header on 24 minutes sailed just wide, while at the other end Dunn was fouled on the edge of the area. McManus’ free kick took a deflection and went behind, followed by another near miss from a long throw that again forced a corner.

The home side’s number nine, a gentleman of considerable height and aerial enthusiasm, went close on the half hour with a header that drifted over. Shortly after, Whitburn made the breakthrough when a free kick into the box resulted in a scramble and a bundled finish to make it 1–0.

Despite trailing at the interval, Saints finished the half strongly. Graham was denied by the keeper after being played through by Milne, Tomany saw another effort deflected wide, and despite racking up close to ten corners, Saints went in a goal behind but very much still in the contest. HT 1-0

The second half began with Cunningham replacing Dempsey and quickly settled into a competitive midfield scrap, with chances at a premium. On 58 minutes Cunningham delivered a delightful cross from the left that flashed across the goalmouth with no takers. Tomany’s promising debut ended shortly after the hour mark as he was replaced by Craik, having given the Whitburn defence plenty to think about.

The equaliser arrived on 67 minutes and lifted everyone with a black and white persuasion (blue today!). From a Saints corner, Thomson rose highest and headed home through the legs of the Whitburn goalkeeper, who was on emergency loan from Livingston and perhaps wishing the paperwork had arrived a little later.

At 1–1, momentum appeared to be with Saints and the home keeper looked increasingly nervous, though frustratingly that anxiety was not fully exploited. A puzzling yellow card for Dunn after the goalkeeper fell over did little to help matters, and the game opened up as both sides chased a winner.

Unfortunately, it was Whitburn who found it. On 79 minutes a loose pass in midfield proved costly, allowing the home side to break quickly and their towering striker finished low past Margetts. It was a goal that felt entirely avoidable and left Saints shaking their heads rather than their fists.

Late substitutions followed and Saints pushed for another equaliser. Lumsden came close in the dying moments when his shot from a recycled corner was well saved, drawing a collective groan from the travelling supporters who briefly dared to believe.

The final whistle brought an end to a frustrating afternoon. The heavy pitch conditions did little to help flowing football, but the overriding feeling was one of disappointment. Saints clearly possess good individual players, yet too often this season have struggled to knit those talents into a cohesive team performance.

Still, after weeks of waiting, postponing and checking the forecast, at least St Andrews United finally managed to play a game of football. Now the challenge is making sure the next one brings a little more joy and fewer sighs!