Due to the Scotland v England game taking place on Saturday, our game against Airdrie at New Broomfield was brought forward to a Friday night. As a result, I and many other Saints fans who would probably have stayed at home, decided to make the trip. It turned out to be the right choice.
The game provided an unexpected chance to get a first glimpse of new signing Gary Bowman, who some people (that'll be me) only knew had signed when they saw his name on the fancy scoreboard and tried to pronounce it completely wrongly. Despite starting on the bench, he was handed an earlier than expected debut when Junior Mendes got injured.
The first half was a bit of a non-event, keepers Scott Thompson and Ludovic Roy dealing easily enough with whatever feeble efforts were on target.
Bowman was to play a part in the opener after the break when he played the ball wide to Scott Walker, obviously still enjoying getting forward after his fine goal against Morton. His cross found Mark Yardley in the middle, but the usually reliable striker could only head against the post. Fortunately, the defence kindly stopped to allow Yards to tuck the rebound past Thompson at his near post.
Almost immediately it was 2-0. This time Iain Nicolson did the crossing. Again the ball found Yards, but this time he knocked it to partner-in-crime Barry Lavety and Basher promptly headed it back across Thompson into the far corner. Game over.
Sadly, there was to be a blow late on. Hugh Murray - walking a suspension tightrope - and baldy Paul Jack clashed. When Shuggy tried to discuss the matter with his bald friend, Jack suddenly hit the deck as if he'd been headbutted. As a result, Jack was booked and Shuggy was given an early bath.
A bad end to what was a good night ahead of the much anticipated international. Up next for us was a home game against skint Clydebank.