ST MIRREN 0 - 0 MOTHERWELLRon McKay at Love Street
IT truly was the end of the beginning although it did not provide the denouement that history demanded. St Mirren's final game at Love Street after more than 114 years did not produce a goal, or a hero for the record book, but there really was much ado about this nothing-nothing, with a packed ground, two compet-itive teams and a rollicking atmosphere which lifted both sides and kept all of the fans in their seats until the end. And none of them were removed by them as a souvenir.
Motherwell had the clearer chances, particularly in the second half, and one fair shout for a penalty late on but that would have been the cruellest of denouements and the inexperienced referee, Alan Muir, clearly wasn't going to make himself the people's villain.
Paul Quinn, the victim of the incident, said that he was swinging for the ball when his standing leg was taken, either by accident or intent, by Stephen McGinn, and it did look unequivocal. "I said to the referee I think you've bottled it'. It was a big decision to make and he's let us down big time," said the aggrieved player.
An engaging first half, both sides clearly cognisant of their historical responsibility to the game, saw the ball flow from end to end in a myriad of passing moves, meaty challenges and clear chances, with the second-half replicating the first. Both sides could have scored, although Motherwell had more opportunities.
If Saints had the majority of the play before the turn-around Motherwell were in command in the second. Chris Porter fluffed several chances before and after, Keith Lasley missed an easy one close in. Saints' best was when Garry Brady found Andy Dorman with his back to goal, but his turn and shot was blocked by goalkeeper Graeme Smith.
After the final whistle 40 former St Mirren players, most of them grey or hairless, walked and hirpled on to the pitch and to the centre circle where they were announced man-by-man to the crowd, then a huge net containing dozens of black and white balloons was released, Auld Lang Syne was sung, the drained Saints squad reappeared for photographs, with skipper Hugh Murray the last to leave the field, strains of The Doors' Love Street dying away. He's been at the place 14 years and only seen all the seats filled a couple of times.
Then the fireworks went off from pots in the middle of the park, the crowd thinned and gangs of tracksuited staff came out to pat down the turf, rather than dig it up to sell as souvenirs, which seemed just a touch unnecessary, although there could be a final-final game on the surface if the team require a replay against Brechin in the cup. The remaining diehard fans then ambled on to the park for their last touch of the grass, monitored by dozens of watching stewards, but it was joyful and well-behaved and there were no gardening miscreants.
So they'll be packing up at Love Street next week, taking down the old photographs, the framed jerseys, emptying the trophy cabinet - a task which shouldn't overly detain them after the 50 Renfrewshire Cups are packed away - before breaking down the desks, carting the few computers which remain after the recent thefts, and flitting to the new home in Greenhill Road, half a mile away in Ferguslie Park where Saints played in their bloomers for 15 years in the late 19th century.
Love Street, which St Mirren moved to in 1894, was the site of a former brick works, but it was close to the city centre and its proximity probably killed off support for local rival teams. Latterly a deterrent was also enlisted against visiting teams, a slaughterhouse located next door and the smell to the unconditioned was apparently gut-turning.
Memories don't come with sell-by dates and super-markets don't do wistfulness. But in the years to come some local Tesco shoppers may be standing in the aisles or at the check-outs wondering whether they're on the spot where Tommy Bryceland dwelled, where Davie Lapsley took the 30-yard free-kick which hammered off the crossbar and bounced back over his head and the half-way line, or where Frank McAvennie scored in his day clothes.
Players and managers dream of what might be, whereas fans outside the big two tend to think of what might have been. The biggest what if is where the club might be today had Alex Ferguson not been sacked by chairman Willie Todd in May 1978 after taking a team with an average age of 19 to the First Division title and the Premier League. You'd need the vehicle of choice of Paisley's currently most famous son to discover that, David Tennant, aka The Doctor.
St Mirren substitutes: Dargo for Hamilton 64, Robb for Brady 79, Brighton for Miranda 81. Not used: Smith, Mason, Barron, McAusland. Bookings: Murray 6, Brighton 84.
Motherwell substitutes: Murphy for O'Brien 81. Not used: Krysiak, Malcolm, Sutton, Smith, McGarry, Saunders. Bookings: Lasley 70.
Referee: A Muir
Attendance: 10,189
