This is how it feels (St Johnstone 22 04 23)
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Its taken me a while to calm down after returning from Perth where I witnessed the most appalling display of refereeing, Ive seen for a very long time. Craig Napier was poor from the off and as the ninety minutes ticked along his control of proceedings deteriorated rapidly. So many poor decisions, not least of which the quite ludicrous red card dished out to Jeggo together with an inability to allow the game to flow he spoiled whatever spectacle we might have seen had he been competent. Both sides had a lot to play for, but Napier seemed hell bent on making himself the centre of attention and sadly he pretty much succeeded. His final act, laughing at the Hibs fans booing him as he trooped off at the final whistle, was disgraceful to say the least.
As expected, Lee Johnson went with the same eleven that started against Hearts whilst Campbell and Kuharevich missed out completely, leaving space on the bench for Tavares and Delferriere. The hosts had ex Hibs men Wotherspoon and Wright in their starting eleven with another two on the bench in Murphy and Hallberg.
The hosts started the brighter and McPherson had a couple of chances to score but the first was blocked and the second flew wide of a post. Next, a sclaffed clearance by David Marshall went straight to Drey Wright some twenty yards out. Wright shot first time, but Marshall got down smartly to redeem himself with a save. Hibs just couldnt seem to get going on a poor playing surface and in very windy conditions, but Youan raised the spirits when he cut in from the left and fired a right footed shot towards goal, but the ball drifted wide of the target.
Referee Napier seemed unable or perhaps unwilling to acknowledge that Kevin Nisbet was being continually fouled, but always there to penalise any challenge by a Hibs player with a free kick. Around the twenty five minute mark, Wright got a shot away, but it was well blocked by Will Fish but minutes later, Cadden conceded a corner under pressure and when the ball was swung into the area, several attempts to clear were poor and then Stevie May tried an overhead kick from about twelve yards which lacked power but somehow found its way past Marshall. It was a shocking error from the Hibs captain and the fans around me were not slow to offer justified criticism of such a blunder.
To be fair, Hibs responded well, and it took a good save from Matthews to deny Nisbet. Two minutes later, the ball reached Youan wide on the left. Elie passed inside to Stevenson who took a touch before smashing the ball past Matthews for an equaliser. Lewis doesnt score many but this one was a beauty. The visitors were trying to get up a head of steam but niggly fouls, mostly on Nisbet ensured there was little flow. From a corner, Liam Gordons header was easily saved by Marshall and then Hanlon himself drew a save from Matthews following a Newell cross.
The half time break brought no changes by either side but early in the half, Marshall made amends for his earlier error by getting down quickly to a fierce shot by Wright. At the other end, Nisbet set up Doyle-Hayes and then the latter named set up Cadden but both shots on goal were blocked. Four minutes into the half, referee Napier flashed a red card at Jeggo. The Hibs man had competed for a 50 50 ball with McLennan. Jeggo won the ball as McLennan arrived and there was contact but, and Ive not seen this since, I strongly believe Jeggo won the ball fairly and did not lift his leg on the follow through. It was never a red and I hope Hibs appeal it as it was yet another nonsense decision from an incompetent referee.
Hibs would be up against it now and St Johnstone could smell blood. A Stevie May shot was well saved by Marshall and whenever Hibs looked to clear they had only Nisbet to aim for and the Hibs striker was being bashed around by Considine and McGowan. On one occasion, Nisbet was incensed at the lack of protection and slid in to try and stop a clearance. There was no contact with the defender, but Napier sprinted across and promptly booked Nisbet. A few minutes later, Daniel Phillips was finally booked after about his tenth foul of the game felled Doyle-Hayes. Wotherspoon was then replaced by Hallberg and the first involvement of the new man was to be booked for a crude challenge on Newell.
Egan-Riley was next in the book for what looked a bread and butter challenge, and the Hibs man was both unhappy and mystified at Napiers decision. From the free kick, Hallberg had a right footed shot saved by Marshall and then Nisbet was injured in a challenge that seemed to be a head knock. The referee indicated the physio to come on, but Nisbet was now back on his feet and indicating he didnt need treatment, but Napier wasnt having any of it, wildly gesticulating for the physio to come on which he eventually did but offered no treatment and yet Nisbet was told to go off. Egan-Riley was looking as though he might be in trouble with the ref and so Lee Johnson replaced him with Henderson, moving Cadden to right back.
St Johnstone brought on Jamie Murphy and immediately placed him wide left against Cadden and Marshall was soon in action again, denying Hallberg with a fine save. A May header at the back post was kept out by the leg of Marshall and the keeper pulled off another fine save to deny Hallberg. The clock was ticking down and Hibs were under the cosh with five minutes left when Youan was replaced by Miller, adding extra strength to the defence. Another Hallberg effort was saved by Marshall and then May struck a shot wide from a good position.
Five additional minutes were indicated and in the first of those, Hoppe replaced Cadden before, right at the death, a Murphy cross from the left found Carey at the back post but the Saints man missed the ball completely with the goal at his mercy. There was no surprise when Napier was booed off at the end and although Hibs played poorly, they hung on to earn the point that meant they reached the split in fifth spot after defeats for both Livingston and, surprisingly, St. Mirren.
The players
Marshall A dreadful mistake for the St Johnstone goal but given that he went on to make three wonderful goal denying saves I guess you could say he played villain and hero in the same ninety minutes.
Egan-Riley Had a ding-dong battle with McLennan and for my money, came out on top more often than not.
Fish Solid and steered clear of any fancy stuff, clearing his lines well when Hibs were under the cosh a man down.
Hanlon Much like Fish, he was always there to clear the danger.
Stevenson Defended heroically and scored a cracking goal, earning him my man of the match award.
Jeggo Shocking decision to dismiss him.
Cadden Not involved as much as I would have liked him to be but as always, he gave every ounce of energy and will surely sleep well tonight.
Doyle-Hayes Jake gets through a power of work and had to work twice as hard after Jeggo was sent off.
Newell Joe had a good game and was urging his team mates on, but I wish hed stop giving away stupid fouls in dangerous areas.
Youan Another frustrating game from Elie though to be fair, running with the ball on that pitch was nigh on impossible.
Nisbet Largely left on his own as he was battered about, he still managed to cause the Saints defence some problems.
Henderson Was brought on to sit ahead of Cadden and then Miller as St Johnstone seemed set on attacking down that side.
Miller Defended well enough and made life difficult for Murphy by continually making him cut inside.
Hoppe His energy was useful as he chased down opponents and hurried midfielders into making rushed passes.
Lee Johnson I hope Lee persuades the club to appeal that shocking red card.
Referee Ive said all I want to say about this incompetent.
And finally what a magnificent travelling support.
As expected, Lee Johnson went with the same eleven that started against Hearts whilst Campbell and Kuharevich missed out completely, leaving space on the bench for Tavares and Delferriere. The hosts had ex Hibs men Wotherspoon and Wright in their starting eleven with another two on the bench in Murphy and Hallberg.
The hosts started the brighter and McPherson had a couple of chances to score but the first was blocked and the second flew wide of a post. Next, a sclaffed clearance by David Marshall went straight to Drey Wright some twenty yards out. Wright shot first time, but Marshall got down smartly to redeem himself with a save. Hibs just couldnt seem to get going on a poor playing surface and in very windy conditions, but Youan raised the spirits when he cut in from the left and fired a right footed shot towards goal, but the ball drifted wide of the target.
Referee Napier seemed unable or perhaps unwilling to acknowledge that Kevin Nisbet was being continually fouled, but always there to penalise any challenge by a Hibs player with a free kick. Around the twenty five minute mark, Wright got a shot away, but it was well blocked by Will Fish but minutes later, Cadden conceded a corner under pressure and when the ball was swung into the area, several attempts to clear were poor and then Stevie May tried an overhead kick from about twelve yards which lacked power but somehow found its way past Marshall. It was a shocking error from the Hibs captain and the fans around me were not slow to offer justified criticism of such a blunder.
To be fair, Hibs responded well, and it took a good save from Matthews to deny Nisbet. Two minutes later, the ball reached Youan wide on the left. Elie passed inside to Stevenson who took a touch before smashing the ball past Matthews for an equaliser. Lewis doesnt score many but this one was a beauty. The visitors were trying to get up a head of steam but niggly fouls, mostly on Nisbet ensured there was little flow. From a corner, Liam Gordons header was easily saved by Marshall and then Hanlon himself drew a save from Matthews following a Newell cross.
The half time break brought no changes by either side but early in the half, Marshall made amends for his earlier error by getting down quickly to a fierce shot by Wright. At the other end, Nisbet set up Doyle-Hayes and then the latter named set up Cadden but both shots on goal were blocked. Four minutes into the half, referee Napier flashed a red card at Jeggo. The Hibs man had competed for a 50 50 ball with McLennan. Jeggo won the ball as McLennan arrived and there was contact but, and Ive not seen this since, I strongly believe Jeggo won the ball fairly and did not lift his leg on the follow through. It was never a red and I hope Hibs appeal it as it was yet another nonsense decision from an incompetent referee.
Hibs would be up against it now and St Johnstone could smell blood. A Stevie May shot was well saved by Marshall and whenever Hibs looked to clear they had only Nisbet to aim for and the Hibs striker was being bashed around by Considine and McGowan. On one occasion, Nisbet was incensed at the lack of protection and slid in to try and stop a clearance. There was no contact with the defender, but Napier sprinted across and promptly booked Nisbet. A few minutes later, Daniel Phillips was finally booked after about his tenth foul of the game felled Doyle-Hayes. Wotherspoon was then replaced by Hallberg and the first involvement of the new man was to be booked for a crude challenge on Newell.
Egan-Riley was next in the book for what looked a bread and butter challenge, and the Hibs man was both unhappy and mystified at Napiers decision. From the free kick, Hallberg had a right footed shot saved by Marshall and then Nisbet was injured in a challenge that seemed to be a head knock. The referee indicated the physio to come on, but Nisbet was now back on his feet and indicating he didnt need treatment, but Napier wasnt having any of it, wildly gesticulating for the physio to come on which he eventually did but offered no treatment and yet Nisbet was told to go off. Egan-Riley was looking as though he might be in trouble with the ref and so Lee Johnson replaced him with Henderson, moving Cadden to right back.
St Johnstone brought on Jamie Murphy and immediately placed him wide left against Cadden and Marshall was soon in action again, denying Hallberg with a fine save. A May header at the back post was kept out by the leg of Marshall and the keeper pulled off another fine save to deny Hallberg. The clock was ticking down and Hibs were under the cosh with five minutes left when Youan was replaced by Miller, adding extra strength to the defence. Another Hallberg effort was saved by Marshall and then May struck a shot wide from a good position.
Five additional minutes were indicated and in the first of those, Hoppe replaced Cadden before, right at the death, a Murphy cross from the left found Carey at the back post but the Saints man missed the ball completely with the goal at his mercy. There was no surprise when Napier was booed off at the end and although Hibs played poorly, they hung on to earn the point that meant they reached the split in fifth spot after defeats for both Livingston and, surprisingly, St. Mirren.
The players
Marshall A dreadful mistake for the St Johnstone goal but given that he went on to make three wonderful goal denying saves I guess you could say he played villain and hero in the same ninety minutes.
Egan-Riley Had a ding-dong battle with McLennan and for my money, came out on top more often than not.
Fish Solid and steered clear of any fancy stuff, clearing his lines well when Hibs were under the cosh a man down.
Hanlon Much like Fish, he was always there to clear the danger.
Stevenson Defended heroically and scored a cracking goal, earning him my man of the match award.
Jeggo Shocking decision to dismiss him.
Cadden Not involved as much as I would have liked him to be but as always, he gave every ounce of energy and will surely sleep well tonight.
Doyle-Hayes Jake gets through a power of work and had to work twice as hard after Jeggo was sent off.
Newell Joe had a good game and was urging his team mates on, but I wish hed stop giving away stupid fouls in dangerous areas.
Youan Another frustrating game from Elie though to be fair, running with the ball on that pitch was nigh on impossible.
Nisbet Largely left on his own as he was battered about, he still managed to cause the Saints defence some problems.
Henderson Was brought on to sit ahead of Cadden and then Miller as St Johnstone seemed set on attacking down that side.
Miller Defended well enough and made life difficult for Murphy by continually making him cut inside.
Hoppe His energy was useful as he chased down opponents and hurried midfielders into making rushed passes.
Lee Johnson I hope Lee persuades the club to appeal that shocking red card.
Referee Ive said all I want to say about this incompetent.
And finally what a magnificent travelling support.