the saints beat gers

St Mirren 1-0 Rangers

Billy Mehmet congratulates Saints scorer Stephen McGinn
A tremendous curling left-foot strike by Stephen McGinn on 77 minutes gave St Mirren a stunning win over Rangers.

The Ibrox side had the bulk of possession, but the Buddies defended stoutly as they welcomed Rangers to Love Street for the last time.

As the final whistle approached, substitute Kris Boyd hit the post with a header, then Kyle Lafferty had a header cleared off the line.

But St Mirren held on for their first home league win over Gers since 1986.

Pedro Mendes was booked for a foul on the advancing Dennis Wyness early in the first half, indicative of St Mirren's useful start where they had Rangers pinned inside their own half.

The former Falkirk defender Jack Ross made early forays into the Rangers' half, clearly enjoying the 3-5-2 formation chosen by St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson.

For all the early promise, a pattern soon emerged where the SPL's bottom side contained the visitors by getting numbers behind the ball, and Rangers struggled to get behind the Saints defence, especially down the left.

Much to the chagrin of Kris Boyd, Walter Smith left his joint-top scorer on the bench once more, opting for pace in attack.

A counter attack after 18 minutes suggested Smith's decision would ask questions of the Saints' defence. MY SPORT: DEBATE
Join the Saints fans discussing the game

Steven Davis released Jean-Claude Darcheville down the right wing and his explosive pace created the space for a fine cross for Miller. Scott Cuthbert's intervention prevented the in-form striker from adding to his goals tally.

Kevin Thomson was the first to test either of the goalkeepers. He pounced on a slack pass by Gary Mason in midfield, swept forward and let fly from 25 yards.

Howard's positioning was exemplary, though, and he was able to parry.

Thomson threatened Howard's goal again in the 39 minute. First combining with Mendes in midfield, he burst forward, worked a one-two with Miller and clattered a shot which Howard tipped over.

Madjid Bougherra wasted a chance from Charlie Adam's inswinging corner at the beginning of the second half. Unmarked on the six-yard line, he mistimed his jump and headed over.
Jean-Claude Darcheville is challenged by Saints' Will Haining

Darcheville was next to have a go, streaking forward from left to centre and shooting ferociously straight at Howard.

The Frenchman's last contribution before the introduction of Boyd was a dash down the right and a cross into the danger area, which Miller poked narrowly wide under pressure from Cuthbert.

Immediately Boyd began to win headers up front, and with 15 minutes to go he bulleted a header at goal, but it was too far out to trouble Howard.

Against the run of play, St Mirren took the lead through substitute Stephen McGinn.

Craig Dargo made an intelligent run to split the retreating Rangers defence and McGinn curled a beautiful shot past the re-instated Allan McGregor from 20 yards.

Rangers piled on the pressure, but St Mirren held their nerve to register a famous win.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

St Mirren: Howard, Ross, Haining, Potter, Cuthbert, Robb, Dorman, Mason, Brady, Wyness, Mehmet.
Subs: Smith, Murray, Brighton, Dargo, Hamilton, McAusland, McGinn.

Rangers: McGregor, Broadfoot, Papac, Weir, Bougherra, Thomson, Mendes, Adam, Davis, Darcheville, Miller.
Subs: Alexander, Boyd, Beasley, Dailly, Lafferty, Niguez, Loy.

Referee: W Collum

Attendance: 7,520

McRae

We got our cat yesterday from the Cats Protection Centre, Dundonald.
All going well so far -lots of playing, purring and sleeping =0)

singstar with swot

had a few round last night for sinstar and swot, heres the pics.....

mount stewart

on tues 25th march after a week in scotland for alison with her folks, and a weekend away with cbcyf we spent the day at mount stewart, here are some pics...

Ulster Orchestra Film Night with Barry Norman

We went to the Waterfront on Saturday and heard the Ulster Orchestra playing famous music from films. It was a brilliant night! We were in the cheap seats but we loved seeing the conductor and the musicians from a different angle.

Here's the play list:
Morricone The Untouchables (End Title)
Elmer Bernstein The Magnificent Seven
Elmer Bernstein Zulu Dawn – River crossing
Jule Styne Diamonds are a girl’s best friend
Kander & Ebb All that jazz
Monty Norman James Bond Theme
John Barry Goldfinger
John Barry The Man with the Golden Gun
John Barry Out of Africa (main theme)
John Williams Stars Wars (main theme)

John Williams Raiders March (Raiders of the Lost Ark)
Silvestri Back to the Future
Martin The Trolley Song from Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)
Kander & Ebb Cabaret
Maurice Jarre Overture: Lawrence of Arabia
Maurice Jarre Lara’s Theme (Dr Zhivago)
Hamlisch The way we were
Jule Styne Don't Rain On My Parade from Funny Girl (1968)
John Williams Superman March

Encores
Elmer Bernstein The Great Escape (March)
Gore Fame

Timothy Redmond Conductor
Mary Carewe Soprano
Barry Norman presenter

lambing season in donemana

one of my granda's sheep had 2 lambs on monday!!!

dave and cara got tickets too, they are sitting above the emergency exit sign! cara has a red jacket on...

Ireland v scotland

We were part of the 74,000 crowd at croke park on saturday to watch part of the 6 nations tournament, again ireland were hard to beat but mrs smyth still loves beinfg scottish....

saturday morning mbk'ing in 0 degrees.

this morning steve and i both left our houses at 8am in freezing conditions for a 2 hour mountain biking session in woodburn and it was cold but well worth it. took a few pictures of the knockagh road.

christmas in little milton

this year the the mccaigs and co celebrated christmas at my bother in laws in a wee village near oxford. her are some pics of our nephew and niece and the rest of the family.

wrc comes to ireland

Ihad the opportunity to go to see a super special stage at stormont on thursday evening. then on sat my dad and i went to omagh to see stages 11 and 14. awesome getting to see the best in the world rallying in ireland,it saves me to going to finland or somewhere like that.

Clever Spanish Folk

I love it when you go abroad and discover that other countries do something fantastic that we don't. Nev and I discovered a vending machine for ice-cream!It even came with a wipe inside for people like me, who can't bite into their ice-cream because it's cold and by the end you have sticky fingers, thus the need to wipe your hands!!! excellente! fantastico!
Who knew Spanish people were so clever?
P.S they don't put Christmas decorations up in November either.

Fuerteventura

We are just back from a great week away. Our holiday was just what the doctor ordered and we have come home more relaxed, less tired and a little browner! A week of reading, sleeping and listening to your i pod is just fantastic!
We did all the usual holiday things like crazy golf, air hockey and walking on the beach followed by chilled out evenings. Bliss!!! It was so nice to spend the week together - just the two of us (no bikes!!)

Take That!

Last night Take That started their Beautiful World tour in Belfast and I was there!
I went with Jacqui, Rachie, Mandy, Claire and Tracy. (+ our glow sticks)
It was a FABULOUS night.
Take That put on such a good show - a real mix of old favourites and new catchy ones. The show was so cleverly put together, and there was a great atmosphere from the crowd. Take That didn't take themselves too seriously and made me laugh lots.Sophie Ellis Bextor was supporting them. I think she was there for all the husbands who had been dragged along -not that I saw many!
Everyone has been raving about it and I know why.
Best 'old' song of last night:Back for good
Best 'new' song: Patience
It was brilliant to see the boys and we'll be seeing a lot more of them when they start doing the M&S campaign He He Ha Ha
PS Nev thinks he needs some Patience !