FC St Pauli 1 - 0 Wurzburger Kickers

"It Could Have Been Wurz" -

A brief match synopsis - FC St Pauli - Wurzburger Kickers

The first 5 minutes were shambolic. A few naughty challenges from both teams set the tone early on. A scrappy start to the game, as neither team managed to dominate the ball. St Pauli pressing from kick-off and determined to get an early hold of the game. It was a feisty affair as a couple of yellow cards could have been handed out. Credit to the referee, who kept his composure. He had a lot to deal with in the early stages of the fixture. A terrible challenge on Dudziak could have definitely left Wurzburg with 10 men with 75 minutes to go.

A few good chances wasted as little football was being played on the pitch. Sahin was fed towards goal out wide by an ever-so teasing Mohler-Daehli ball. Sadly, the young Turk couldn't find space to tuck the ball in from about 6 yards out. A trademark piece of play from two very talented and important assets of the St Pauli squad this year. Minutes later, a free kick was delivered by Buchtmann. Sobiech towered above all and connected well with his head. A solid effort, which was comfortably saved, preventing the hosts from going a goal up. There was very little for the Hamburg outfit to do defensively in the first half other than a few minor threats from the visitors. Disappointingly, St Pauli could have gone in at half time the better of the two teams. However, their chances weren't taken and the quality of the end product simply wasn't enough.

Almost straight away from kick-off St Pauli again had another golden opportunity. Sobota, with acres of space out wide offered a delicately lofted ball into the box. Gonther rose, only to push the ball wide with his headed chance. It seemed like it was going to be Wurzburg's lucky day as the third St Pauli chance wasn't taken. It sounds unbelievable I know, but seconds later the counter attack was on for the Boys in Brown as another chance was created. Buchtmann pacing down the left hand side looked up to find his target. Bouhaddouz, surprisingly had a few feet of room in the box as the ball was played to his feet. All he had to do was make decent contact with the ball, unfortunately that wasn't the case. The Moroccan international fluffed his lines as the ball span out of control into the air. It wasn't to be. Mohler-Daehli had a half chance this time. About 65 minutes in, a nice bit of build-up play allowed Sobota enough time to deliver again. As luck had it, the wrong man was waiting as the Norwegian headed wide from about 6 yards. It became more and more frustrating to watch as it seemed a goal was never going to come.

It seemed a similar story to the first half. Desperation kicking in, more so from the hosts. The Milerntor eager to see a goal and fast. Time was ticking away, and chances were becoming fewer and fewer. The same fouls were being given: delaying free kicks, stopping the counter-attack and the odd lazy challenge. The game was crying out for a moment of magic. If you were to go by the previous 85 minutes you'd be expecting very little. Play was eventually quicker, more innovative from St Pauli, it was just the final ounce of quality that had been lacking.

However, in the 88th minute, the moment everyone was waiting for. The ball was played up from Heerwagen as a last chance punt. Sobiech even pushed forward to add to the attack. On the edge of the box, substitute Thy managed to find the maestro, Buchtmann lurking around the 18 yard box. Turning back inside he released a shot which seemed to find a gap at the near post. It was a big goal, potentially saving St Pauli from relegation. The atmosphere felt like all the pressure had finally been lifted. They had left it late, but it didn't matter. Only a few, plus added time remained as they tried to slow the game down. The game fizzled out and a very, very important 3 points were earned. It wasn't the most aesthetic performance from the Boys in Brown, but what mattered was the win, and eventually that was the end result.

1-0 to St Pauli. Statistically, the correct result. They had the hunger and extra desire in the end to take the 3 points. Wurzburg, not showing much of a direct threat, seemed to be happy to settle for a draw. If chances we're taken in the earlier stages of the game the Hamburg outfit could have put themselves at ease a lot sooner. Either way, the visitors were only inviting a desperate, relegation threatened team playing at home. A less than mouth-watering showcase of football, but one of the most important results so far this season.