Match report: Saints 1-1 Ross County
Match Reports

Match report: Saints 1-1 Ross County

15th May 2024

Match report: Saints 1-1 Ross County

A late header from Adama Sidibeh saw Saints fightback to earn a point against Ross County in Perth this evening.

The visitors took the lead on 28 minutes as Yan Dhanda played a one-two with Jordan White before blasting a powerful strike high into the net.

However, Saints levelled the match in the final minute when Sidibeh headed home a Graham Carey cross to keep Saints hopes of avoiding the play-offs alive.

Saints remain in eleventh place in the cinch Premiership, 2 points behind Ross County.

Next up for Saints is their final cinch Premiership match of the season as they travel to Fir Park on Sunday to take on Motherwell, kick off 3pm.  

MATCH REPORT

Saints welcomed Ross County to McDiarmid Park this evening for a crucial cinch Premiership match as both sides were locked in a battle to avoid finishing in the relegation play-off spot. A stoppage time strike from Andrew Shinnie saw Saints fall to a 2-1 defeat at Livingston on Saturday and Craig Levein decided to go with the same starting eleven which started at Almondvale at the weekend. Ross County lost 5-1 at home to Motherwell on Saturday and interim manager Don Cowie made two changes to his starting eleven. George Harmon and Jordan White were brought in to replace Josh Reid and Eamonn Brophy who both dropped to the bench.

Yan Dhanda got the match underway for the visitors as the Saints fans in the East Stand basked in the late evening sun.

Saints got a sight of goal after 5 minutes as Graham Carey unleashed a strike from distance that sailed high into the North Stand.

Then a minute later Ross Laidlaw’s goal kick took a nick off Ryan McGowan’s head as the ball broke to Simon Murray who broke into the Saints box before seeing his effort saved by Dimitar Mitov.

It was a quick start to the match as on 7 minutes David Keltjens sent over an inviting ball into the box which Adama Sidibeh tried to get on the end of with a diving header however, the forward couldn’t make a connection with the delivery as it went out for a goal kick.

Play quickly switched to the other end as shortly after the Staggies created another chance. Murray’s cross from the right was met by George Harmon at the back post however, header was well saved by Mitov.

A miskick by County captain Jack Baldwin let in Stevie May on 16 minutes as the Saints forward broke into the box before unleashing a shot which was straight at Laidlaw who comfortably gathered the ball. Then 4 minutes later Carey’s cross from the right was blocked by a Staggies player as the ball broke to Nicky Clark who cut it back to Dan Phillips however, the midfielder blazed his effort over from 10 yards.

PHOTO: Stevie May's shot is straight at Ross Laidlaw

Despite the Saints pressure Ross County took the lead on 28 minutes. Eli King picked out Dhanda with a pass and the midfielder linked up well with Jordan White as the forward laid the ball back to Dhanda as he drove into the box before smashing a powerful effort high into the net.

On the half an hour mark Mitov made two brilliant saves to keep Saints in the game as the Saints number one spectacularly saved a 20 yard effort from Harmon. The ball then broke to Murray but Mitov was up quick to make another brilliant save however, play was pulled back as Murray was in an offside position.

Both sides created chances as the match headed towards half time. With 4 minutes of the half remaining Sidibeh saw his powerful effort blocked by Baldwin. Whilst up the other end shortly after Dhanda cut in from the left before unleashing a curling effort which was saved by Mitov.

PHOTO: Ross Laidlaw saves at the feet of Nicky Clark

Saints made their first change of the game on 55 minutes as Benji Kimpioka replaced Stevie May.

Shortly after Keltjens went down in the box under the challenge of Baldwin as Saints appealed for a penalty however, the appeals were dismissed by referee Nick Walsh.

PHOTO: David Keltjens goes down in the box after coming together with Jack Baldwin

Great link up play on 65 minutes saw Kimpioka play a neat one-two with Sidibeh before breaking forward and the Swedish striker unleashed a shot from the edge of the box which went narrowly over the bar. More good link-up play 2 minutes later ended with Sidibeh seeing his effort saved by Laidlaw.

Diallang Jaiyesimi was introduced into the action with 10 minutes remaining as he came on to replace Dan Phillips.

PHOTO: Benji Kimpioka fires his shot over the bar

The Staggies created a chance to double their lead on 88 minutes however, Liam Gordon made a good block to deny White as the Saints captain turned the ball behind for a corner.

County seemed content to retain possession without really troubling Saints as they tried to see the game out. However, just as it was looking like the visitors would take all 3 points and condemn Saints to the play-offs Craig Levein’s men levelled the match in the final minute of the match. Carey sent over a delightful cross from the left and Sidibeh rose to plant a header beyond Laidlaw to rescue a point for Saints to keep their hopes alive of avoiding the relegation play-off position.

PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh scores to make it 1-1

Saints: Mitov, McGowan, Gordon, May (Kimpioka 55’), MacPherson, Clark, Carey, Wright, Sidibeh, Keltjens, Phillips (Jaiyesimi 80’)

Unused Substitutes: Richards (GK), Considine, Kucheriavyi, Olufunwa, M. Smith, Franczak, C. Smith

Booked: McGowan

Scorer: Sidibeh (90’)

Ross County: Laidlaw, Randall, Baldwin, Dhanda (Loturi 69’), Murray (Sims 77’), Harmon (Reid 70’), King, Efete, White, Nightingale, Leak

Unused Substitutes: Wickens (GK), Brown, Callachan, Henderson, Khela, Brophy

Booked: Nightingale, Harmon, Reid, White

Scorer: Dhanda (28’)

Referee: Nick Walsh

VAR: David Dickinson

Attendance: 4,202

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Adama Sidibeh celebrates his goal

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