Match report: Aberdeen 1-0 Saints

Saints started the match strongly and came close to taking the lead just before the half an hour mark as Benji Kimpioka saw his effort cleared off the line by Stefan Gartenmann.

However, in the second half the hosts were much improved and Angus MacDonald saw his goal bound effort cleared off the line by Nicky Clark.

The only goal of the game came on 68 minutes as the Dons were awarded a penalty after Nicky Devlin went down under the challenge from Andy Considine and Connor Smith. After a lengthy VAR check Miovski settled the match as he despatched his penalty into the bottom corner of the net.

Adama Sidibeh got a chance to rescue a point for Saints late on however, his header from 8 yards went narrowly over the bar.

Today’s results coupled with Ross County defeating Hibs 2-1 in Dingwall sees Saints slip to eleventh place and in the play-off position with 3 games remaining.

Next up for Saints is a trip to West Lothian next Saturday to take on Livingston, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

The north-east was the destination for Saints this afternoon as they headed to Aberdeen to take on the Dons at Pittodrie. There were three changes to the Saints starting eleven which lost 3-1 to Hibs at McDiarmid Park last Saturday as Drey Wright, Connor Smith and Benji Kimpioka came in to replace Fran Franczak and Adama Sidibeh who both dropped to the bench, whilst Luke Robinson missed out due to injury. Aberdeen interim manager Peter Leven was last night admitted to hospital where he underwent an emergency procedure. As a result, coach Scott Anderson took charge of the Dons this afternoon with assistance from fellow coaches Craig Samson, Jonny Hayes and Stuart Duff. There were no changes to the Aberdeen starting eleven which defeated Motherwell 1-0 at Pittodrie last weekend.

Connor Smith got the match underway for Saints and they were awarded a free kick out wide on the right after 4 minutes following a foul on Benji Kimpioka by Dons captain Angus MacDonald. Graham Carey took the free kick as he whipped the ball into the box however, his delivery was only partially cleared by the Aberdeen defence as Matt Smith gathered the ball just outside the box. The Welsh midfielder lobbed the ball over the Dons defence however, no one in a Saints shirt could get on the end of it as Kelle Roos gathered the ball.

It was a positive start by Saints and on 7 minutes they created another chance as Matt Smith’s cross from the right was met by Andy Considine at the near post however, he could get enough power on his effort from a difficult angle as Roos again gathered the ball. Then shortly after Carey’s cross picked out Ryan McGowan however, his effort was blocked by MacDonald.

On 22 minutes Leighton Clarkson unleashed a shot which was straight at Dimitar Mitov however, the Saints number one was unable to hold the ball as he spilled it right at the feet of the on-rushing Bojan Miovski although Considine reacted well to the danger as he turned the ball behind for a corner. Junior Hoilett took the corner from the right and his delivery was perfect for Stefan Gartenmann however, the on-loan Danish defender couldn’t find the target with his header.

PHOTO: Andy Considine skips a tackle by Jamie McGrath

Saints created a great chance to take the lead on 29 minutes as Kimpioka twisted and turned his way into the Dons box before unleashed a strike which was headed off the line by Gartenmann. From the resultant corner Connor Smith’s delivery was met by McGowan however, the defender saw his header go narrowly over. Saints were very quickly back on the attack again as a poor goal kick by Roos presented Kimpioka with another sight of goal however his effort was deflected behind by MacDonald for another corner which came to nothing.

Aberdeen got a chance of their own to take the lead on 32 minutes as Clarkson played in Miovski who unleashed a right footed effort which was saved by Mitov. Then on 39 minutes a Hoilett cross from the left was missed by everyone but Miovski was able to head the ball back across goal which was gathered by Mitov.

The hosts were inches away from taking the lead on the stroke of half time. The Pittodrie side were awarded a free kick just outside the box after Considine had fouled Hoilett. The winger took the free kick as curled the ball up and over the wall as it smashed off the crossbar. The rebound broke to Gartenmann however, his effort was saved by Mitov.

PHOTO: Benji Kimpioka unleashes a shot which is cleared off the line

On 54 minutes Jack MacKenzie played in Jamie McGrath and the midfielder unleashed a left footed effort which was saved by Mitov. Then a minute later Dante Polvara saw his effort deflected for a corner by Dan Phillips. Hoilett took the corner from the right and his delivery was met by MacDonald however, Nicky Clark made a brilliant block with his hip to clear the ball off the line with the home appealing for a penalty which were dismissed by referee Chris Graham.

Aberdeen were dominating proceedings and on 58 minutes Miovski broke through the Saints defence however, the Macedonian forward was denied by Mitov.

On the hour mark Kimpioka played in Clark however the shot from the Saints forward lacked power as Roos comfortably gathered the ball.

Saints made their first change of the game on 63 minutes as Cammy MacPherson came on to replace Drey Wright.

PHOTO: Benji Kimpioka and Leighton Clarkson

Then 2 minutes later Aberdeen were awarded a penalty as Nicky Develin went down in the box after being sandwiched between Considine and Connor Smith. A lengthy VAR check then followed before the penalty was confirmed. Miovski stepped up to take the penalty and he coolly sent Mitov the wrong way to give the hosts the lead.

Aberdeen should have extended their lead 5 minutes later as McGrath played in Miovski who was in on goal however, he took too long to get his shot away as Saints were able to get back with MacPherson deflecting the ball behind for a corner.

Craig Levein made a double change with 15 minutes remaining as Benji Kimpioka and Connor Smith were replaced by Adama Sidibeh and Stevie May.

PHOTO: Craig Levein and Andy Kirk

On 77 minutes MacPherson was booked for a foul on Dons substitute Graeme Shinnie however, they couldn’t take advantage from the resultant free kick as Miovski saw his effort hit the Saints wall.

The hosts were awarded another free kick with 4 minutes remaining after McGrath had been brought down by Carey. Clarkson took the free kick and his delivery was met by Miovski however, he saw his glancing header go inches wide of Mitov’s right-hand post.

Despite Aberdeen’s second half domination Saints almost snatched a point in the final minute. Matt Smith sent over an inviting cross from the right which Sidibeh was able to get on the end of however, the Gambian forward was unable to work the keeper as his free header from 8 yards out went over the bar as the hosts saw the game out to secure the points.

PHOTO: Ryan McGowan and Matt Smith applaud the travelling Saints fans at full time

Aberdeen: Roos, Devlin, MacKenzie, Gartenmann, McGrath, Barron (Shinnie 74’), Miovski, Clarkson (Phillips 90+2’), Polvara (Lopes 79’), MacDonald, Hoilett

Unused Substitutes: Doohan (GK), Jensen, Sokler, Duncan, Milne, Rubežić

Booked: Hoilett

Scorer: Miovski (68’ pen)

Saints: Mitov, Considine, McGowan, Gordon, Clark, Carey, Wright (MacPherson 63’), M. Smith, Kimpioka (Sidibeh 75’), Phillips, C. Smith (May 75’)

Unused Substitutes: Richards (GK), Kucheriavyi, Olufunwa, Crawford, Keltjens, Franczak

Booked: Considine, MacPherson

Referee: Chris Graham

VAR: Greg Aitken

Attendance: 15,537

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Adama Sidibeh is tackled by Graeme Shinnie