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Saturday, April 21, 2007
Saints don't have injury crises, it's just one long procession of players to the treatment table, and has been going on for around 4 years. However, things must have become more acute as Idiakez was recalled not just to the club but to the team that faced Leeds, while Skacel's return to first team action was at left back.
A couple of games back I'd have bet any money on Leeds going away with at least a point, but Saints are still stringing us along with the outside hope of a play-off position and it was typical that they should continue the tension with a win.
They didn't do it the easy way, but prospects were improved in the 35th minute when Thompson was dismissed for his part in a relatively harmless flare-up in which Viafara might have been more guilty. Our player's frustration was understandable, with Leeds not only defending in depth but prepared to kick anything that looked like getting anywhere near goal, be it man or ball.
At last gaps appeared, and Jones headed against the post just before the break, and then had a goal written off for offside just after. Viafara was the first tactical substitution when he made way for Wright-Phillips; as he was playing OK, this was possibly to guard against any more rash cardings by the referee.
Then Idiakez, who I also thought was performing well enough, was replaced by Belmadi... but the reason George is coaching at Staplewood while I write match reports is that it all worked out OK. In the 85th minute Belmadi got down the right and Leeds had difficulty dealing with his cross, allowing Wright-Phillips to smash the loose ball into the roof of the net.
The goal could go a long way towards ensuring Saints and Leeds don't meet next season, but I've a feeling we will be seeing them again.
Man of the Match: Kenwyne Jones, as a reward for his misfortune either side of the interval, but mainly because it will upset Chairman Mick.
Saints: Bialkowski, Baird, Pele, Lundekvam, Surman, Idiakez (Belmadi 65), Guthrie, Viafara (Wright-Phillips 54), Skacel, Rasiak (Best 88 ), Jones.
Subs Not Used: Davis, Cranie.
Booked: Baird, Lundekvam, Pele.
