Match report

Tuesday, 05 August 2008
Saints bounce back from early shock

Co-operative Insurance Cup 1st Round
Stenhousemuir (1) v Saints (5)
Attendance [n/k]

Left: Paul Sheerin slots home the penalty to make it 1-1.

Saints travelled to meet Stenhousemuir in the Co-operative Insurance Cup determined to avoid a second cup exit in ten days and with many fans aware that Ochilview had been the venue of one of the club’s most ignominious cup exits some 13 years ago.

Derek McInnes made just one change to the side that opened the league campaign with a win on Saturday – Gavin Swankie coming in for the injured Collin Samuel.

Both sides opened brightly on the artificial surface and before 5 minutes had elapsed Andy Jackson had seen his shot from a Swankie pass charged down by a defender and the Warriors had a goal disallowed for an infringement.

Saints continued to press forward and when Kevin James got his head to a ball, Chris Millar only just failed to get a touch to push the ball over the line and the home defence cleared.

However, there was a shock for Saints in the 12th minute when the Warriors took the lead. Hesitation between goalkeeper Euan McLean and Kevin Rutkiewicz resulted in the ball going out for a Stenhousemuir throw-in and when the ball was whipped into the box it made its way all the way to the far post where Robert Love was on hand to hook it past McLean and into the net from close range. Unfortunately for the Warriors player, he collided with the post in the act of scoring and was stretchered from the field with what looked like a bad injury.

Saints set about getting back on levels terms and with Chris Millar and Gavin Swankie prominent they did just that in 23 minutes when Martin Hardie was bundled over in the box and Paul Sheerin netted his second penalty kick of the season to make it 1-1.

Both sides knocked the ball around well for the remainder of the half but goalmouth incidents were few and far between and level pegging at half-time was a fair reflection on the game.

Saints started the second half with Stuart McCaffrey on for Kevin Rutkiewicz, who had missed training the day before due to a niggling back injury and an early chance for Kevin James proved to be a signal of intent – his header from a Swankie free kick being deflected just inches wide of the post.

Playing towards the Saints supporters behind the goal Saints started to dominate their hosts with Swankie putting in some telling deliveries, particularly from dead balls, and the home side were finding themselves starting to become stretched.

The 64th minute saw Andy Jackson send a header straight at the goalkeeper from a cross from the left by Liam Craig – again standing in at left-back ahead of a one game suspension- after Gary Irvine had done well to retrieve the ball on the other side of the park. That proved to be Jackson’s final involvement as he was replaced a minute later by Steven Milne

For all their possession, Saints were struggling to carve out many scoring chances although Irvine wasted a great chance when he chased a McCaffrey through ball and controlled it on his chest but with options inside of him he sliced the ball wildly over the bar from close range.

Derek Holmes replaced Peter MacDonald as Saints attempted to make the breakthrough their play merited and with 12 minutes remaining and with thoughts starting to turn to extra-time they finally edged in front. Gavin Swankie was the supplier with a great cross from the left and substitute Steven Milne was on hand to head home his first goal of the new campaign. A word too for the young Saints fan who had made sure a wayward ball out of play was quickly back in the hands of a Saints player thanks to a deft first-time header!

Within 60 seconds Saints had made sure of the win when substitute Derek Holmes won an aerial challenge to nod the ball home and make it 3-1.

This knocked the stuffing out of Stenhousemuir and they conceded two further goals in the closing stages. With six minutes remaining a long string of passes culminated with a long ball forward being beautifully flicked on by Martin Hardie’s head to Liam Craig and his low cross was swept into the net by Holmes and before the final whistle sounded Hardie himself had grabbed a goal with a header from a Swankie corner.

A thoroughly deserved win for Saints who dominated the second half although the home side might feel aggrieved at the final scoreline. The Manager again showed that he is not afraid to change things round if necessary - Swankie, Hardie and Millar all changed positions at various points in the proceedings and with three goals coming from the late substitutes McInnes will be happy with his options.

SAINTS: McLean, Irvine, Craig, Millar, Rutkiewicz (McCaffrey), James, Swankie, Hardie, Jackson (Milne), MacDonald (Holmes), Sheerin.
Subs not used: Weatherston, Kelly

Below left: Steven Milne celebrates with goal provider Gavin Swankie after heading Saints into the lead.
Below right: Steven Milne, Gary Irvine and Chris Millar help Derek Holmes celebrate his first goal for the club

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