Robbo, Baird have Saints in a right puddle

Ray Hepburn

21 Jan 1993

Hearts 2, St Johnstone 0

SCOTTISH football shot itself in the foot again last night, and the man who must take a certain amount of responsibility was Edinburgh referee Bill Crombie.

He carried out a pitch inspection 10 minutes before the kick-off, and despite the ball not running freely on the rain-sodden surface, he gave the match the go-ahead.

The 5000 brave souls who stood in the rain, cold, and lightning, were offered a product that had no chance of being value for money.

Even the Hearts' supporters, watching their team adapt much more successfully than St Johnstone on their way to third place in the League, booed loudly during first-half heavy rain for the match to be abandoned.

St Johnstone manager John McClelland sportingly gave Hearts the plaudits.

He said: "In the first half, I didn't think the pitch was playable.

The criteria says if the ball sticks, the game should be stopped.

I didn't talk to the referee, I thought the rain, wind and lightning would do that for me.

But it was the same for both teams, and at the end of May, the result will count."

Meanwhile Hearts manager Joe Jordan confirmed that he has spoken to Middlesborough's Bernie Slaven who was recently offered a free transfer, and he intends to have more detailed discussions with the striker later this week.

Hearts, two goals ahead at the interval, understandably were keen for the game to be completed, and a 15-man squad, including secretary/director Les Porteous and coach Sandy Clark, spiked and cleared the puddles at half time.

After three minutes Gary Mackay and Glyn Snodin slipped a short free kick to Allan Preston, and when his left foot drive cannoned off a post, John Robertson drilled the rebound into the net for Hearts' opener.

Hearts scored again in 27 minutes.

Preston's curling cross from the right had perfect pace and accuracy to allow Ian Baird to glide his header home.

Into the second half on the improved playing surface, Craig Levein almost scored a third with a 30-yard drive which was touched over by Rhodes.

After 73 minutes, Vinny Arkins almost claimed a consolation with a low shot which struck the base of a post.

Thirteen minutes from time, Craig Levein appeared to have conceded a penalty when tackling Steve Maskrey, but the referee booked the St Johnstone substitute for diving out of the challenge.

Two minutes later, Maskrey was sent packing after an incident with Baird.

HEARTS -- Walker, McLaren, Snodin, Levein, Mackay, van de Ven, Robertson, D Ferguson, Baird, Mauchlen, Preston.

Substitutes -- I Ferguson, McKinlay.

ST JOHNSTONE -- Rhodes, McGowne, Dees, Baltacha, Inglis, McClelland, Davies, Turner, Wright, McGinnis, Arkins.

Substitutes -- Maskrey, Scott.

Referee -- W Crombie (Edinburgh).

Cowdenbeath 2, Meadowbank 2

THREE goals were scored in the first 30 minutes, and in a snowstorm at that.

Henderson put the Fifers in front from the spot, and it was

2-0 through Condie soon after.

Bailey reduced the deficit with a close in shot after the home defence had blundered.

The Edinburgh side hit their equaliser four minutes from time through Bailey.

Arbroath 2, Stranraer 1

THIS second-division clash was marred by the booking of five players and Arbroath's Charlie Adam red-carded three minutes from the end for retaliation.

Four minutes from the break, the ball spun off a defender to Sorbie whoscored with ease.

Stranraer hit back immediately through Sloan, but the winner came in 47 minutes when Tindal's corner drifted under the crossbar.

Taken from the Herald