Sheer class brings home derby delight

Sep 30 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

IT might have taken two years but it was worth the wait as Paul Sheerin steered Saints towards an essential derby win with the sort of strike which suggests there’s Brazilian blood coursing through his veins, writes Gordon Bannerman.

The midfielder tagged a wizard by admiring Perth fans has been reserving his left-foot wand for dispatching spot-kicks over the last two years.

But finally, he worked his sorcery from open play eight minutes after the interval to illuminate a dreich derby day and steer Saints to a victory which eluded them last season.

With Dundee’s strike rate lamentable and the club stalked by takeover

speculation, it might have been sufficient to ensure an advance up the table and restore faith in the stands.

But Steven Milne cashed in an insurance policy with the second against his former club, sending an instinctive shot curling past Rab Douglas and disgruntled Dens fans scurrying towards the exits.

The goals got referee Iain Brines off the hook for yet another shift stalked by controversy, with his decision to negate a Gary McKenzie own goal before the interval.

The Dundee defender headed a Gavin Swankie free-kick past his own keeper, with Martin Hardie the intended target of the Perth attack.

The deflated Dens defender didn’t even appeal for a foul but the referee came to his aid, signalling a barge from the Perth midfielder.

Five bookings were meted out to home personnel and all bar Collin Samuel could have no complaints. Dundee meekly surrendered. The Saints rap sheet isn’t clever this term but this was a contest which the Perth side were determined to win, and no one in the home camp will be fretting about statistics which hint at a welcome mean streak coming into play.

There was a shall-not-pass mentality from Kevin Rutkiewicz and Stuart McCaffrey and both were carded for challenges labelled professional or cynical, depending on where your loyalties lay.

The first clean sheet since an opening day win over pacesetters Livingston could prove almost as important as a derby scalp to build on results at Dumfries and Dingwall which restored confidence shattered by defeats from Dunfermline, Partick and Clyde.

These local rivals were burdened with title favourite status over the summer and neither have taken it in their stride. But on this evidence, it won’t be Dundee barring St Johnstone’s way back to the SPL.

And Perth strength in depth could still prove valuable in their championship quest. Several players were posted missing and Kevin Moon returned from the bench to provide another option for the management.

Keeper Alan Main was tested just once and he boldly charged down Dodds to maintain parity at the interval. And while Daquin slashed a chance wide after the restart, Dundee never hinted at an equaliser after Sheerin worked his magic in the 53rd minute.

Latching onto a Hardie pass, there seemed no clear and present danger to the Dundee rearguard. But Sheerin threw a trio of defenders a dummy or two on the edge of the box with Strictly-style footwork and pirouettes part of the package.

Spotting the opportunity, the midfielder curled an exquisite shot into the top corner for a goal of the season candidate.

With confidence returning to the ranks, the passing was crisper and Chris Millar should have opened his account on the break. But ending Dundee hopes of a comeback fell to Milne, their former predator.

Substitute Derek Holmes was fouled but Brines got back in the good books with a wise advantage rule verdict which allowed Milne scope to dash clear and plant a fine finish beyond Douglas. Dundee fans got the perfect view but it wasn’t one they appreciated.

ST JOHNSTONE: Main, Irvine, Craig, Millar, Rutkiewicz, McCaffrey, Swankie (Moon 69), Hardie (Morgan 75), Samuel (Holmes 69), Milne and Sheerin. Subs not used: Jackson and McLean.

DUNDEE: Douglas, Cowan, Malone, Dodds, McKenzie, McKeown, Daquin (McMenamin 63), Paton, Antoine-Curier, Pozniak (Davidson 82) and Gilhaney. Subs not used: O’Brien, Mearns and Roy.

Referee: Iain Brines.