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St Johnstone make Scottish Cup history as MacLean sinks Dundee United St Johnstone make Scottish Cup history as MacLean sinks Dundee United
(34 minutes later)
The city of Perth has often been criticised in recent times for failing to adequately back its' football team. Now, there will surely be no option but to laud a group of sporting heroes. Perth has often been criticised in recent times for failing to adequately back the city's football team. Now, there will surely be no option but to laud a group of sporting heroes.
This famous St Johnstone team of 2014 has claimed the Scottish Cup for the first time in the club's 130-year history. Deservedly so, at that, with a showing which placed Dundee United and their 28,000 supporters firmly into the Celtic Park shade.This famous St Johnstone team of 2014 has claimed the Scottish Cup for the first time in the club's 130-year history. Deservedly so, at that, with a showing which placed Dundee United and their 28,000 supporters firmly into the Celtic Park shade.
It was entirely fitting that Steven Anderson, a player who has clocked up almost 250 matches during a senior career spent only at St Johnstone, opened the scoring. Another Steven, MacLean, later settled matters.It was entirely fitting that Steven Anderson, a player who has clocked up almost 250 matches during a senior career spent only at St Johnstone, opened the scoring. Another Steven, MacLean, later settled matters.
For all United failed to perform, the influence of Tommy Wright on this St Johnstone team cannot be understated. In his 50th match in charge, the Northern Irishman assumed legendary status. St Johnstone, remember, had never even been in a Scottish Cup final before.For all United failed to perform, the influence of Tommy Wright on this St Johnstone team cannot be understated. In his 50th match in charge, the Northern Irishman assumed legendary status. St Johnstone, remember, had never even been in a Scottish Cup final before.
The perceived contrast in style between these sides was slightly unfair on St Johnstone. United had been portrayed as the vibrant, attacking side with their opponents seen as more of an uninspiring - if undoubtedly effective - team unit. The perceived contrast in style between these sides was slightly unfair on St Johnstone. United had been portrayed as the vibrant, attacking side with their opponents seen as more of an uninspiring – if undoubtedly effective –team unit.
In reality, St Johnstone retain one of the most impressive attacking talents in Scotland; Stevie May. In David Wotherspoon, the Perth side also have a midfielder who has been completely rejuvenated since leaving Hibernian.In reality, St Johnstone retain one of the most impressive attacking talents in Scotland; Stevie May. In David Wotherspoon, the Perth side also have a midfielder who has been completely rejuvenated since leaving Hibernian.
Not that United's promise should be ignored. On their day, they have an edge to their forward play which is the envy of most teams in Scotland.Not that United's promise should be ignored. On their day, they have an edge to their forward play which is the envy of most teams in Scotland.
The teenager Ryan Gauld, who was left amongst Jackie McNamara's substitutes from the start, proved a sensation upon regular introduction to the United team at the start of this season. Gauld stepped onto the field 63 minutes into this final, replacing the limping Gary Mackay-Steven but was unable to make any notable impact.The teenager Ryan Gauld, who was left amongst Jackie McNamara's substitutes from the start, proved a sensation upon regular introduction to the United team at the start of this season. Gauld stepped onto the field 63 minutes into this final, replacing the limping Gary Mackay-Steven but was unable to make any notable impact.
They took until stoppage time to claim it, but St Johnstone's half-time lead was a worthy one. The centre-back Anderson headed Wotherspoon's corner home at the back post; United's goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierzniak will not be in a hurry to look again at his attempts to deal with the set play.They took until stoppage time to claim it, but St Johnstone's half-time lead was a worthy one. The centre-back Anderson headed Wotherspoon's corner home at the back post; United's goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierzniak will not be in a hurry to look again at his attempts to deal with the set play.
Earlier, Cierzniak had acted smartly to tip a James Dunne effort from 20 yards over the crossbar. From the resultant corner, Frazer Wright should have done better with what was a glorious opportunity. Wotherspoon himself could have opened the scoring in the 21st minute, after a May free-kick was knocked into his path.Earlier, Cierzniak had acted smartly to tip a James Dunne effort from 20 yards over the crossbar. From the resultant corner, Frazer Wright should have done better with what was a glorious opportunity. Wotherspoon himself could have opened the scoring in the 21st minute, after a May free-kick was knocked into his path.
United's sole opportunity of that opening period was within inches of sending them in front. Ryan Dow met a glorious Andrew Robertson cross with a flick which completely deceived the St Johnstone defence. The ball rebounded from the inside of Alan Mannus's left-hand post and was scrambled to safety.United's sole opportunity of that opening period was within inches of sending them in front. Ryan Dow met a glorious Andrew Robertson cross with a flick which completely deceived the St Johnstone defence. The ball rebounded from the inside of Alan Mannus's left-hand post and was scrambled to safety.
If the first 45 minutes had been frantic, the second opened in a blur. It was utterly compelling.If the first 45 minutes had been frantic, the second opened in a blur. It was utterly compelling.
United's Nadir Ciftci hit a free-kick off the St Johnstone upright, five minutes after the re-start, with a free-kick at the other end leaving St Johnstone with the belief they had doubled their advantage.United's Nadir Ciftci hit a free-kick off the St Johnstone upright, five minutes after the re-start, with a free-kick at the other end leaving St Johnstone with the belief they had doubled their advantage.
Instead, it was adjudged that May's close-range attempt - Wotherspoon was again the creator -had not crossed the line before he made sure of matters with a hand. Cue a booking for the striker, and debate over whether this was the first ever intervention by a goalline official in a Scottish match. Instead, it was adjudged that May's close-range attempt – Wotherspoon was again the creator – had not crossed the line before he made sure of matters with a hand. Cue a booking for the striker, and debate over whether this was the first ever intervention by a goal-line official in a Scottish match.
McNamara's last throw of his tactical dice was the removal of a holding midfielder, Paul Paton, and introduction of the forward Brian Graham. That substitution almost paid off within two minutes as Graham met a mis-hit shot from long range by Gavin Gunning. Graham's own attempt flew wide.McNamara's last throw of his tactical dice was the removal of a holding midfielder, Paul Paton, and introduction of the forward Brian Graham. That substitution almost paid off within two minutes as Graham met a mis-hit shot from long range by Gavin Gunning. Graham's own attempt flew wide.
Ciftci was soon to come even closer from 18 yards. Were St Johnstone finally wilting under the weight of history?Ciftci was soon to come even closer from 18 yards. Were St Johnstone finally wilting under the weight of history?
Not one bit, as it transpired. The United defence failed to deal with a through ball from May to his strike partner, MacLean. Albeit he was aided by a decent break of the ball, MacLean prodded home at the second attempt. The goal immediately had the look of a fatal blow to United's aspirations. Not one bit, as it transpired.
The United defence failed to deal with a through ball from May to his strike partner, MacLean. Albeit he was aided by a decent break of the ball, MacLean prodded home at the second attempt. The goal immediately had the look of a fatal blow to United's aspirations.
St Johnstone's contingent celebrated wildly; how they had long since earned the right to do that.St Johnstone's contingent celebrated wildly; how they had long since earned the right to do that.