St Mirren 0 - 0 Peterhead: Martin Bavidge promises to brew up a storm for Buddies visit

Published on Sunday 9 January 2011 15:03

Martin Bavidge painted a gloomy picture for St Mirren ahead of their four-hour trip to Balmoor for their Scottish Cup fourth-round replay against Peterhead tomorrow week.

Bavidge led the line for the Blue Toon as they held the SPL side to a goalless draw at New St Mirren Park on Saturday. Asked what the Buddies could expect when they face the Irn-Bru Second Division side again, the former Inverness striker, 30, said: "A long trip, probably a howling gale and more of the same from ourselves. For Saturday's game I got picked up at Aberdeen at 8.30am and a few guys from Peterhead left earlier. It's a long journey.

"I don't know if it's a case of finishing the tie off, it's a better chance for us but they are still a full-time team. They will probably get their backsides kicked for maybe underestimating us slightly and I'm sure it will be a different St Mirren team who turns up for the replay.

"But we have home advantage so it gives us a better chance. Hopefully we can get a few breaks and get a goal or two. We didn't really express ourselves on the ball which we are capable of so maybe we can look to address that in the replay."

On a freezing Paisley afternoon Buddies midfielder Patrick Cregg came closest for the home side with a shot which struck the outside of the post.

Bavidge admits he thought Peterhead might have come under more pressure. "They had a lot of possession but I'm surprised that they didn't hurt us more than they did," he said. "I don't think they created a lot. We restricted them to few clear-cut chances and deserved to take it to the replay."

Danny Lennon is hoping a road trip in the replay will allow his players to relax more than they did in the second half when the Buddies fans vented their frustration. The St Mirren manager said: "We have to take it on the chin and take the positives. We are still in the cup. I've taken Cowdenbeath up there and it's a very difficult place to go.

"They will be well organised, there will be a good atmosphere with an SPL club there and they could get a lift from that. But maybe it is important for us that we have three games on the road now and that maybe give the lads a wee bit of a break."

Lennon's side dominated for most of the match but the part-timers defended with dogged resilience. The Buddies simply ran out of ideas and were met with a chorus of boos from supporters at the final whistle

Cregg had several efforts on goal of various quality but came closest in the 13th minute after being set up somewhat fortuitously by Paisley striker Craig Dargo at the edge of the penalty area. The Irishman crashed a shot off the base of Jon Bateman's right-hand post, with David Donald clearing for a corner. As the snow began to fall, any St Mirren hopes of an easy afternoon cooled as Peterhead refused to buckle.